SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — To mark the 50th anniversary of West Virginia’s whitewater rafting industry, Gov. Jim Justice on Friday designated an official fifth season for the state: Gauley Season.
The declaration was made as the first of 23 controlled releases for rafting took place at Summersville Dam. The Gauley River attracts rafting enthusiasts from across the country each year for six weeks after Labor Day. Releases from the dam create ideal whitewater rafting conditions.
.@WVGovernor @WVtourism kicking off the 50th Gauley Season! @WVMetroNews @WJLSNEWS pic.twitter.com/dC2twobcxB
— Mike McCullough (@MikeMcC_Metro) September 7, 2018
“I’m really proud, no question about it, our coal miners and all the other natural resources that we have in our state but right there is an incredible natural resource, our water,” Justice said.
West Virginia’s Class V+ rapids are considered to be among the best in the world. More than 40,000 people travel to the state each year to experience the rapids during the six-week period.
The governor also explained why he believes the budget increase for the state’s tourism office will pay dividends down the road. “We know every dollar that we invest, you bring in six to 13 times (that amount,)” he said.
Justice also commended the legislature for supporting the tourism push.
Rather than make the announcement herself, Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby deferred to Gov. Justice for the occasion, saying “we have a governor who is the biggest cheerleader for tourism this state has ever seen.”
In addition to the 30-minute releases, this year’s Gauley Season will include an extra hour of releases September 15th through the 17th.
Story by Pete Davis & Mike McCullough