The Gauley's largest tributaries all flow into the main river from the east (flowing in a westerly direction) and are described as follows: In Nicholas County, the Gauley is impounded by the Summersville Dam, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam, to form Summersville Lake.

The Gauley is run year-round by recreational whitewater rafters and from spring to fall by commercial rafting companies.

However, starting the Friday after Labor Day, the Army Corps of Engineers provides a series of 22 controlled releases[4] for the express purpose of downriver recreation.

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.

The Gauley area was the site of the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10, 1861, a Union victory in the American Civil War.