Cheat River at The Narrows (Upper)

Rowlesburg, West Virginia

The Narrows is a popular reach of the Cheat River located downstream of Rowlesburg. During normal flows, the Narrows offers Class II and III rapids that becomes increasingly more difficult as you paddle downstream. This monitoring location is located at "The Caves" and is a popular put-in to paddle The Narrows.

The parking area is a gravel pull-off along Route 72. Please be careful pulling off or merging with traffic.

Check out the American Whitewater page for more information on paddling The Narrows. http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2346

Note: this is not a designated swimming area. Swim at your own risk.

COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality
  • Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time

  • Historical Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on October 5th, 2022. Friends of the Cheat updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on October 10th, 2022 at 5:06 PM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  
Monitoring Frequency

Cheat River at The Narrows (Upper) is sampled bi-weekly from January 1st to December 31st.

Source Information

Friends of the Cheat staff, interns, and volunteers monitor water quality in this region. Friends of the Cheat monitors river recreation sites of the Cheat River.
Sites are monitored for E. coli and total coliform as well as temperature, pH, and conductivity.

Bacteriological samples are analyzed using the IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 method
Samples are collected throughout the year. Water is monitored twice per month during peak river recreation months (April – September) and once per month during the off-season (October – March). Samples are generally collected on Wednesdays and results are posted on Fridays.

Advisory issued when E. coli concentration is greater than 410 CFU/100 mL.
A beach is Green when E.coli is less than 410 CFU/100 mL.
A beach is Red when E.coli is equal to or more than 410 CFU/100 mL

Read more
Water Quality Graph

Cheat River at The Narrows (Upper)

Rowlesburg, West Virginia

COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is still essential. Only go to the beach if you are able to keep 6 feet or 2 meters away from others. Follow the instructions provided by your local health authorities. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter our efforts to curb the virus’s spread.

Water Quality
  • Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
  • Historical Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on October 5th, 2022. Friends of the Cheat updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on October 10th, 2022 at 5:06 PM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  

The Narrows is a popular reach of the Cheat River located downstream of Rowlesburg. During normal flows, the Narrows offers Class II and III rapids that becomes increasingly more difficult as you paddle downstream. This monitoring location is located at "The Caves" and is a popular put-in to paddle The Narrows.

The parking area is a gravel pull-off along Route 72. Please be careful pulling off or merging with traffic.

Check out the American Whitewater page for more information on paddling The Narrows. http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2346

Note: this is not a designated swimming area. Swim at your own risk.

Monitoring Frequency

Cheat River at The Narrows (Upper) is sampled bi-weekly from January 1st to December 31st.

Source Information

Friends of the Cheat staff, interns, and volunteers monitor water quality in this region. Friends of the Cheat monitors river recreation sites of the Cheat River.
Sites are monitored for E. coli and total coliform as well as temperature, pH, and conductivity.

Bacteriological samples are analyzed using the IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 method
Samples are collected throughout the year. Water is monitored twice per month during peak river recreation months (April – September) and once per month during the off-season (October – March). Samples are generally collected on Wednesdays and results are posted on Fridays.

Advisory issued when E. coli concentration is greater than 410 CFU/100 mL.
A beach is Green when E.coli is less than 410 CFU/100 mL.
A beach is Red when E.coli is equal to or more than 410 CFU/100 mL

Read more
Water Quality Graph

  Beach Location Water Quality
Rowlesburg, West Virginia
Rowlesburg, West Virginia
Rowlesburg, West Virginia
Rowlesburg, West Virginia
Swim Guide
is supported by
* The RBC Foundation

Swim Guide shares the best information we have at the moment you ask for it. Always obey signs at the beach or advisories from official government agencies. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe.

Swim Guide, "Swim Drink Fish icons," and associated trademarks are owned by SWIM DRINK FISH CANADA. See Legal.

© SWIM DRINK FISH CANADA, 2011 - 2023