Current Conditions for South Fork Shenandoah River
| Updated For: | Thursday April 25, 2024 |
| River Level: | Normal |
| The River Level Is: | Falling Slowly |
| River Temperature: | 57 degrees |
| Clarity: | Clear |
Open every day, seven days a week.
WE ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2024 SEASON. We are open every day, 7 days a week. Our hours of operation through the month of April are: 9am – 5pm weekdays (Monday thru Friday) and 8am – 6pm weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
The river remains in the lower part of our “Normal” range for today, a lovely paddling level. River clarity is good, but fishing is still a bit slow.
Weather for today (Thursday) looks partly cloudy and cooler with a high temperature in the upper 50’s. Friday looks mostly sunny with a high in the upper 50’s again. Saturday looks cloudy with a chance of a passing shower and continued chilly with a high stuck in the 50’s. Sunday looks partly cloudy and warmer with temps in the low 70’s.
RIVER LEVEL TREND: We experienced a pretty severe drought last summer (2023) which resulted in unusually low river conditions for much of the season. As of late April ’24 some of the effects of the drought are still with us although we have had near average rainfall since the first of the year.
Paddlers in early Spring need to be aware of the risk of hypothermia. If you don’t have a waterproof dry suit to wear (expensive), dress in layers with moisture wicking clothing like nylon, polyester, polypropylene, wool, silk, anything but cotton which holds moisture (and lets face it, most of our clothes are cotton). Be aware that even on warm days cold water may still be a threat. SO WEAR THAT PFD ALL DAY.
REMINDER: stay HYDRATED, use SUNSCREEN, have adequate FOOT PROTECTION (covered toe river sandals or old sneakers)
Looking forward to another great year on the river.
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.