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Roanoke Valley Chapter |
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One of he best runs of the James west of the fall line occurs where the river leaves the Valley of Virginia and slices through the Blue Ridge on its way to the Piedmont. Unfortunately, the end of this run meets slack water backing up from the Cushaw Dam at Snowden and its a long paddle to the official VDGIF landing.
Both FFV State Conservation & Access Committee and the Roanoke Valley Chapter have been active in developing a viable takeout below this magnificent stretch of whitewater. Other river groups contributing to this effort include the Friends of the Rivers of Virginia (aka FORVA), the Coastal Canoeists.
Members of the Roanoke Valley Chapter had the area surveyed to insure that there would be sufficient space for shuttle parking and for a turnaround at the boat pickup, proper lines of site for the connection to route 501, and adequate grades for the completed road.
Surveying |
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In addition to survey work, RVC members have begun clearing away Kanawa Canal "Lock 14" nearly buried over the years. This portion of the lock wall stands just below the proposed turnaround, and borders the likely path from the turnaround and loading area to the river.
Lock #14 |
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The view from the track facing the loading area, before.... |
...and after. A path begins to emerge.
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| Decades of dirt and vegatation are removed... | ..and the original lock walls are uncovered. | More work has been done since these photos were taken last year... | ...but more remains to be done. |
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For more information about canal remains along the James and elsewhere in the state, visit the Virginia Canals and Navigation Society.
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Looking northwest, the town of Glasgow sits at the foot of Sallings Mountain, at the convergence of the James and Maury Rivers.
The James turns to the south & east to cut through the Blue Ridge Mountains. SR501 can be seen along the ridge line above river left. The James River Face National Wildlife Area encompasses the mountains along river right, drained by Big Cove and Matts Creek The proposed takeout is on river left, near the tip of the last of two large islands. The parking lot above the infamous "Iron Man" informal takeout is just visible in the lower right hand corner of the photo.
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click HERE for a larger version of this photo (3.6Mb) |
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click HERE for a closer view of takeout area (3.8Mb) |
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click HERE for a PDF map of takeout area |
Numerous discussions with the U.S. Forest Service, the Virginia Department of Transportation, CSX Railroad, and others are required to negotiate the complex geographic, legal, financial, and political currents necessary to reach the takeout. Progress is ongoing.
We will occasionally post updates on the Conservation & Access page; interested parties (volunteers especially!) are encourage to contract RVC for more information.
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2007 © Float Fishermen of Virginia - Roanoke Valley Chapter |
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