City: Buchanan, VA
County: Botetourt County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.54790589, -79.74274075
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
I
Put-in
James - 1.2. Springwood to Buchanan
Current Conditions
--
• 500.00-25000.00 cfs
James River at Buchanan, VA
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
Put-in at this location
1.2. Springwood to Buchanan
4.8 mi
I-II
Take-out at this location
1. Eagle Rock (Route 43) to Springwood (Route 630)
17.0 mi
4 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (4.5 mi to put-in)
1.4. Buchanan to Arcadia
6.2 mi
7 ft/mi
I(II)
Downstream from here (7.3 mi to put-in)
1.6. Arcadia to Alpine
4.8 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (10.3 mi to put-in)
1.8. Alpine to Glasgow
10.0 mi
II+(III)
Downstream from here (21.3 mi to put-in)
2. Glasgow to Snowdon
4.8 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (24.4 mi to put-in)
3. Snowdon (Route 501/130) to Six Mile
30.2 mi
I
Upstream from here (8.3 mi from take-out)
03. Gala to Eagle Rock
3.9 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (11.0 mi from take-out)
02. Glen Wilton to Gala
7.3 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (14.9 mi from take-out)
01. Iron Gate to Glen Wilton
4.1 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
Springwood is a boat ramp access point on the James River in Buchanan, located in Botetourt County in southwestern Virginia. The James River at this location is a large river system (Stream Order 7) with significant flow averaging 668 cubic feet per second and moderate current velocity around 2.4 feet per second. With an average gradient of 1 foot per mile, paddlers can expect a manageable but noticeable current rather than flat water conditions.
This access point serves as a gateway to one of Virginia's most historically and ecologically significant rivers. The James River drainage basin covers over 10,000 square miles and provides excellent opportunities for multi-day paddling trips, day trips, and motorized boating. The river at Springwood offers a mix of scenic mountain backdrop typical of the Blue Ridge region while maintaining sufficient depth and flow for various watercraft.
Paddlers and boaters using Springwood should be prepared for moderate current conditions and should have basic river navigation skills. The location provides access to a major transportation corridor that has served Virginia since colonial times and continues to offer diverse recreational opportunities including paddling, fishing, and sightseeing.
This access point serves as a gateway to one of Virginia's most historically and ecologically significant rivers. The James River drainage basin covers over 10,000 square miles and provides excellent opportunities for multi-day paddling trips, day trips, and motorized boating. The river at Springwood offers a mix of scenic mountain backdrop typical of the Blue Ridge region while maintaining sufficient depth and flow for various watercraft.
Paddlers and boaters using Springwood should be prepared for moderate current conditions and should have basic river navigation skills. The location provides access to a major transportation corridor that has served Virginia since colonial times and continues to offer diverse recreational opportunities including paddling, fishing, and sightseeing.