Congress, the first law passed in the U.S. to specifically mandate recreational whitewater dam releases. The releases bring millions of dollars annually to the local economy, as paddlers travel from all over the United States and overseas for this event. History The Gauley area was the site of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10, 1861, a Union victory in the American Civil War. Name The Gauley River's name most likely is derived from Gaul (literally "river of the Gauls"), a historical region of Europe including most of current day France, from the time when West Virginia was part of New France before the French and Indian War. Historically, the river has had various Indian names, variant spellings of Gaul/Gauley as well as Falling/Falls Creek. See also List of West Virginia rivers References External links Gauley River National Recreation Area US Army Corps of Engineers: Southern WV Weather And Water Levels Rivers of West Virginia Tributaries of the Kanawha River Monongahela National Forest Rivers of Fayette County, West Virginia Rivers of Randolph County, West Virginia Rivers of Nicholas County, West Virginia Rivers of Webster County, West Virginia