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This page updated August 27, 2008 at 8:45 AM EDT

 

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 BLUE ( Below 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 = Great but low and slow
Rafting Conditions = Not Running, Low Levels
Tubing Conditions = Great but low and rocky
Fishing Conditions = Excellent

James River Conditions at Hatton Ferry
Average Depth = 2.4ft
Gathright Dam schedule of release as of 8/27/08: Lake elevation at 1578.1 (normal pool is around 1582 ft above sea level), release at 276cfs. See graph of the past week's river flow rates near Hatton Ferry.
Temp = 77°
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. 716
Ave MPH (Est.) = 1.25
National Weather Service Weather Forecast

-ALBEMARLE-
405 AM EDT WED AUG 27 2008

.TODAY...PERIODS OF RAIN. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S. NORTHEAST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN NEAR 100 PERCENT.
.TONIGHT...RAIN. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN NEAR 100 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY...CLOUDY. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING...THEN A CHANCE OF
SHOWERS WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.
HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
70 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. LOWS
IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING...THEN BECOMING PARTLY SUNNY.
A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.
NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH...BECOMING SOUTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 60S.
.SATURDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 80S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 60S.
.SUNDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 80S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 60.
.LABOR DAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.
.MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 60.
.TUESDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.


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