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This page updated July 4, 2008 at 6:30AM EDT

DETOUR NOTICE: Rt 20 at Rt 726 will be closed for the annual July 4th (Friday) parade in Scottsville between 9:30am and 12:30pm. Click HERE for detour directions.

 

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 (Lower Than 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 = A little low and crystal clear
Rafting Conditions = Not running, low water
Tubing Conditions = Beat the heat!
Fishing Conditions = Good

James River Conditions at Hatton Ferry
Average Depth = 2.6ft
Gathright Dam schedule of release as of 7/4/08: 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 = 82°
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. 850
Ave MPH (Est.) = 1.25
National Weather Service Weather Forecast

ALBEMARLE 304 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2008

.TODAY...PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS THIS MORNING...THEN
CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
50 PERCENT.
.TONIGHT...CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN
THE MID 60S. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH...BECOMING SOUTHEAST AFTER
MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
.SATURDAY...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
80S. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 60 PERCENT.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS. CHANCE
OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
HIGHS IN THE MID 80S. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
50 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE MID 60S. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.
.MONDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
HIGHS IN THE MID 80S. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.
.MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S.
.TUESDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80S.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
.WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80S. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 80S. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT.


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