Current Conditions for South Fork Shenandoah River
| Updated For: | Saturday, September 7, 2024 |
| River Level: | Low |
| The River Level Is: | Steady |
| River Temperature: | 69 degrees |
| Clarity: | Clear |
Open every day, seven days a week.
WE ARE OPEN EVERY DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. Our hours of operation through September are: 9 am – 6 pm weekdays (Monday thru Friday) and 7 am – 7 pm weekends (Saturday and Sunday). October hours 9 to 5 weekdays & 8 to 6 weekends.
Showers and storms across the Valley last Saturday evening have boosted the river level a few inches, but the water clarity remains good.
For today the river level has settled back into the lower part of our “Low” range once again, so paddlers will occasionally bump and scrape in some places. We are open today for canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and tubing.
Weather for today calls for partly cloudy skies this morning and sunny this afternoon with a high temperature in the low 70’s and no chance of rain.
Sunday looks spectacular, sunny and continued cool with temperatures remaining in the low 70’s.
Fishing has been outstanding since the river cleared up after Debbie’s deluge.
Be advised, we still have plenty of equipment available for today and for this weekend as well.
Thank you Debbie for recharging our river four weeks ago. But we still are needing more rain to recharge our aquifers.
REMINDER: stay HYDRATED, use SUNSCREEN, have adequate FOOT PROTECTION (covered toe river sandals or old sneakers)
Be advised river conditions can change rapidly with sudden storms or heavy rain in the upper watershed. Also, water temperature can vary up to 8 degrees or more in a single day.
To find out more detail about current conditions
click here to visit the Luray River Gauge
Over 5.5 feet – Too Damn High (risky)
4.0 to 5.5 feet – High (pushy)
2.4 to 4.0 feet – Normal (ideal)
2.00 to 2.4 feet – Low (slower)
Below 2.00 feet – Very Low (bumpy)
RIVER LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS
TOO DAMN HIGH
No equipment will be rented when the river is too damn high, no exceptions.
HIGH
River is swift and powerful, use extra caution at Compton Rapid, and stay in the main channel. Small rapids smoothed over. Keep those lifevests zipped up.
NORMAL
The ideal canoeing level. Lots of small rapids to play in.
LOW
Canoes will bump and scrape occasionally, and trips take a little longer. But the water is always beautifully clear.
VERY LOW
Shorten up your trip. Canoeist will have to step out of their canoes from time to time, but even at this level the river can still be quite enjoyable if you take your time.