Tygart Valley, West Virginia, US
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4. Belington to Buckhannon River (Gorge)
| Usual Difficulty |
III-V (for normal flows) |
| Length |
11.8 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
37 fpm |
| Max Gradient |
80 fpm |
Keyhole, Tygart Gorge
Keyhole, Tygart GorgePhoto of John Fralick by Matt Muir (KHCC) taken 05/13/95 @ 4.0 ft
Gauge Information
River Description
Photo: John Fralick squeezes between the rocks at KeyHole.
Map of Area
Put-in on river right downstream of Belington or in Belington on river left.
Alternate put-in 3.2 mi downstream at fish camp on river right.
Two take-outs available:
River right 1 mi downstream of confluence with Buckhannon River or
At the mouth of the Buchannon River, walk 3/4 mi up RR tracks to covered bridge over the
Buckhannon.
Noteable rapids in first half of the run are Key Hole and Hartung Falls, about half way down you
encounter the confluence with the Middle Fork River. Those that run the Middle Fork run the lower
part of the Tygart Gorge which contain three major rapids. S-Turn, Shoulder Snapper and Hook(left
hook).
Keel Hauler Rating - 28
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Photo: Colins Drozdowski at Instant Ender.
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StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2003-10-02 02:44:02
Editors
Enough Water 
Shoulder Snapper
Hook
User Comments
one of the coolest launches you will find.
channel, chest high, at 1,000 cfs. Reference the -Keyhole sneak- photo of Mr. Merkel for location. Edit
ledge that is backed by a rock on the right, and people have swum underneath undercuts on the left.
Stay about 1/4 over from the left side as you make the left turn. Maintain momentum.