‘Gauley Season’ draws thrill-seekers from around the world – Gallery

By Vanta Coda III, RealWV

Held every third weekend in September, thrill-seekers from around the world gather to boat the raging class III-V rapids on the Upper and Lower Gauley circuits. The rapids are a combination of both the river’s natural geological makeup and the release of water from the Summersville Dam, referred to as “Gauley Season,” which is controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.