About
Bluestone River, West Virginia — 1949 Bluestone Dam, 165-ft, Summers County, USACE. Designated as a National Scenic River in 1988, the Bluestone cuts 77 miles through Mercer and Summers counties, transforming from pastoral valley water to wilderness gorge. The upper stretch from Spanishburg to Pipestem runs Class I-II through farmland and forest, while the Bluestone Gorge section drops 10 miles of Class II-III water from Pipestem to Bluestone Lake through protected wilderness corridor. At 420 CFS average with an optimal range of 200-1500, the river offers reliable flows tracked by USGS gauge 03179000. Below the gorge, Bluestone Lake creates backwater sections suited to flatwater paddling and bass fishing. Pipestem Resort State Park serves as an outfitter base for gorge trips, which represent the river's technical highlight before it slackens into the reservoir.
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.