City: Clifton Forge, VA
County: Botetourt County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.77390676, -79.78266623
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on James River
12 runs (10 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I-II
Put-in at this location
01. Iron Gate to Glen Wilton
4.1 mi
I-II
This location is on this run
1.4. Buchanan to Arcadia
6.2 mi
7 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (2.8 mi to put-in)
02. Glen Wilton to Gala
7.3 mi
I
Downstream from here (6.1 mi to put-in)
03. Gala to Eagle Rock
3.9 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (9.1 mi to put-in)
1. Eagle Rock (Route 43) to Springwood (Route 630)
17.0 mi
4 ft/mi
I
Downstream from here (15.9 mi to put-in)
1.2. Springwood to Buchanan
4.8 mi
I(II)
Downstream from here (18.1 mi to put-in)
1.6. Arcadia to Alpine
4.8 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (18.5 mi to put-in)
1.8. Alpine to Glasgow
10.0 mi
II+(III)
Downstream from here (25.5 mi to put-in)
2. Glasgow to Snowdon
4.8 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (29.5 mi to put-in)
3. Snowdon (Route 501/130) to Six Mile
30.2 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Irongate is a boat ramp providing access to the James River in Clifton Forge, located in the upper reaches of this major Virginia waterway. The James River at this location is a large river system with significant flow, averaging 668 cubic feet per second, and moderate current velocity of about 2.4 feet per second. This section of the river features a relatively gentle gradient of approximately 1 foot per mile, making it suitable for various types of boating activities.
Paddlers and boaters using Irongate should be aware that this is an upper section of the James River with a drainage area of over 10,000 square miles. The elevation at this access point is approximately 349 meters, positioning it well above the river's mouth. Water conditions here reflect a flowing river rather than a slack water impoundment, so paddlers should anticipate moderate current and plan accordingly. The river's Stream Order 7 classification indicates a well-developed, mature river system capable of handling multiple boat types.
Access at Irongate provides a good launching point for exploring this section of the James River, which is popular for recreational boating throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Visitors should check current water conditions and flow rates before arriving, as the James River's conditions can vary seasonally based on precipitation and dam releases upstream.
Paddlers and boaters using Irongate should be aware that this is an upper section of the James River with a drainage area of over 10,000 square miles. The elevation at this access point is approximately 349 meters, positioning it well above the river's mouth. Water conditions here reflect a flowing river rather than a slack water impoundment, so paddlers should anticipate moderate current and plan accordingly. The river's Stream Order 7 classification indicates a well-developed, mature river system capable of handling multiple boat types.
Access at Irongate provides a good launching point for exploring this section of the James River, which is popular for recreational boating throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Visitors should check current water conditions and flow rates before arriving, as the James River's conditions can vary seasonally based on precipitation and dam releases upstream.