Cheat River
Tucker / Preston Co. · 45 mi · Class III–IV
1,020CFS/ 4.00 ft
Optimal→Stable
Water temp: 52°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 1000–4000 CFS · USGS #03069500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
State-designated Scenic Area · Tucker County Recreation Corridor
The Cheat Canyon is the crown of West Virginia's rugged Tucker County — 12 miles of Class III–IV whitewater in a remote sandstone gorge with no road access. The Cheat is dam-release paddling at its finest: big waves, long drops, and the kind of remoteness that makes the Gauley feel civilized. Best spring flows April–May.
Trip sections
Rowlesburg to Albright — Class II–III, flatwater to canyon entry
Albright to Lake Lynn Dam — 12 mi Cheat Canyon, Class III–IV
Below Lake Lynn — Class II, lower river
Outfitters
Blackwater Outdoor Adventures
Cheat Canyon guided trips
Cheat River Outfitters
Canyon shuttles and rentals
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.