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We are OPEN and taking reservations for 2009!

Operations are subject to temperatures and river conditions. Please call 434-286-2338 for reservations.

Current conditions last updated 8:20am 7/3/09

Please see updated directions on directions page for Sat. July 4 due to parade traffic.

 

Paddlers' ability may vary - we run when the river level is 5.8 feet (near 6000 cubic feet per second flow rate) or lower, as long as the combination of water temperature and forecasted air temperature will be 110 degrees or more, and as long as there is no impending severe weather. Rafting will run at slightly higher levels but requires 4 or 5 people per raft. Inner tubes will go out as long as the combination of air temperature and water temperature is at least 150 degrees and river levels are at or below 5.5 feet (up to 5.8 feet for strong swimmers only). The conditions listed below will inform the public of the possibility of equipment rentals on The James River.
River runners are forewarned that red conditions indicate high river flow periods or bad weather conditions and are advised to avoid river activities. Beginners and novices should avoid The James River whenever water temperatures go below 55 degrees and during the cold winter months.
NO jumping or diving on ANY trip and all participants MUST be capable swimmers. There is NO trespassing allowed on Rock Island (just downstream from Warren).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for link to Directions for those who have their own inner tubes and need to park.

Notice of disclaimer: The James River changes constantly and clarity,depth, etc. can be altered significantly after this report is issued. The reporter assumes no liability for the accuracy of the following condition report after it is released.
Blue = Lower than average levels...watch for rocks...shallow water! (Below 3.2 Feet)
NOTE: last trip goes at 1:30PM at Blue (or lower Green) levels, no rafts.
 Green = Average levels (3.2 to 4.8 Feet) No rafts below 3.5 Feet
Yellow = Above average H2O....CAUTION! Trips are faster. (4.9 to 5.9 Feet)
Red = High H2O, large volume, bad weather......NO GO! ( 6 Feet and above)

See James River level archives
Current conditions are GREEN (Average Water Levels)
Recreational water levels are optimal between 3.5 and 4.8 feet.
Click here for a view of the river today!

Rental Conditions
Now open for rentals subject to river levels, weather conditions, and water temperatures

Canoeing, Kayaking = Excellent
Rafting Conditions = To Low To Run
Tubing Conditions = Excellent
Fishing Conditions = Great

James River Conditions at Hatton Ferry
Average Depth = 3.5
Gathright Dam schedule of release as of 7/3/09: Lake elevation at 1582.5 (normal pool is around 1582 ft above sea level), release at 278cfs. See graph of the past week's river flow rates near Hatton Ferry.
Temp = 80°
Clarity = Clear
Average CFS (a measure of volume as a result of flow in cubic feet per second, ie: width x depth x foot flow per second) = approx. 1930
MPH (Est.) = 1.5
National Weather Service Weather Forecast

ALBEMARLE
323 AM EDT FRI JUL 3 2009

.TODAY...PARTLY SUNNY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
THIS AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
CHANCE OF RAIN 20 PERCENT.
.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. WEST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH IN THE EVENING...BECOMING LIGHT AND VARIABLE. CHANCE OF
RAIN 20 PERCENT.
.INDEPENDENCE DAY...PARTLY SUNNY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE MID 80S. WEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH...
BECOMING NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
40 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.MONDAY...PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS IN
THE UPPER 70S. NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTHEAST
WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.TUESDAY...PARTLY SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
HIGHS AROUND 80. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
30 PERCENT.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 60. NORTH WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. NORTH WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTH WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
.THURSDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. NORTH WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
 


For general fishing information and reports: For top notch info on smallmouth fishing visit riversmallies.com !!

If you would like to see a picture of what the river looks like today, just