The river is enjoyed by residents and visitors through swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and floating downstream in inner tubes. The river is largely wide and shallow, typically less than deep with occasional deep holes. The upper portion of the river includes class II, III and IV rapids. Below Jordan's Point in Lexington, the river is mainly a float trip with Class I and II rapids to the James River at Glasgow. Electric or gasoline-powered boats are rarely used beyond a few areas of slack water upstream of dams.