About
Lehigh River, Pennsylvania — 1818 Lehigh Coal & Navigation, 1829 Lehigh Canal, 1965 Wild/Scenic, Jim Thorpe. Francis E. Walter Dam releases shape 109 miles of the Lehigh River through Carbon and Northampton counties, with the classic 26-mile White Haven to Jim Thorpe section cutting through Lehigh Gorge State Park at Class II-IV. The gorge run demands 800-3500 CFS to work properly — well above the river's 1850 CFS average — so most whitewater happens on scheduled dam releases that push flows into the 2000-3000 range. Above White Haven, the river runs Class I-II as an upper approach; below Jim Thorpe it opens into Class I-II water through the widening valley toward Allentown. Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Pocono Whitewater outfit the gorge section, which became more accessible in 2023 when the 26-mile Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail opened parallel access along the entire whitewater corridor. USGS gauge 01451000 tracks the releases that make or break a gorge trip.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.