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Gauley River season set to begin Sept. 5

August 23, 2008 @ 10:59 AM

2008/The Herald-Dispatch

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) _ Some West Virginia whitewater outfitters anticipate an influx of rafters from southern states for this year's Gauley River season due to drought conditions elsewhere.

The boost would help offset an anticipated decline in the number of overall rafters.

Dave Arnold, managing partner of Class VI River Runners, says about 40,000 rafters and thousands of private boaters are expected to ride the Gauley this year during a 23-day release in September and October.

Arnold says that would be down about 6 or 7 percent from a typical Gauley season.

Last year, nearly 47,000 rafters made the trip with professional outfitters.

The annual Gauley season begins Sept. 5 as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins controlled releases of water from the Summersville Dam.