DRBA Float Explores River History

The Dan River Basin Association’s November 1 outing will be a 5-mile float on the Dan River from Madison to Jacob’s Creek. Meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the NC 704 Access in Madison, participants in the trip, coordinated by T and Lindley Butler of Wentworth, will paddle through seven navigation sites, well preserved nineteenth century river structures now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The historic sites will be interpreted by Dr. Lindley Butler, professor emeritus of history, who is an authority and popular lecturer on the history of navigation in the Dan River system.

Built in the 1820s and expanded as late as the 1880s, the navigation structures, which include sluices, landings, and wing dams, made the river usable by flat-bottomed batteaux, the long, narrow workhorses of nineteenth century river commerce in the region.

According to Butler, “These structures direct the water into channels through rapids and ledges that would have blocked the batteaux, each of which carried several tons of goods. Present-day recreational users enjoy the effects of these structures, which have been self-maintaining for over 130 years.”

He adds, “Because of these structures, the river is rated as Class 1, suitable for novice paddlers. The work done in the 19th century enables us to float the Dan in Rockingham County even in times of extreme drought.”

Below Madison, which was chartered in 1815 as the head of batteau navigation, points of interest include the confluence of the Mayo River and Robertson’s Fish Trap Sluice, which incorporates a widened fish weir originally built to collect fish making their great spawning runs upriver from the coast.

Cross Rock Rapid, which provides footings for the US 220 Bypass Bridge, is followed closely by Slink Shoal Sluice and Wing Dams, recognized by a nearby state historic marker. Called the navigation system’s “crown jewel,” Slink Shoal consists of the longest sluice, or channel, and the only surviving log-crib wing dams on the river.

Boaters will stop for lunch at Lone Island, the site of a ford that was in use by 1769 and served as a crossing during the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary-era Governor Alexander Martin lived on the bluff above Jacob’s Creek Landing, which is just upstream from the private take-out, used by permission of the owners.

Participants in the outing are asked to bring boat, life jacket, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric and to sign a waiver.

To reach the NC 704 Access Point from north or south, take US 220 to the Madison, NC exit at NC 704. Turn west on NC 704 toward Madison. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Market Street (small brown sign directs to Dan River Access). Go two blocks, and turn right onto Murphy Street. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right at the bottom of the hill onto Water Street. Continue under the bridge. The access site is on the left.

From the east, take NC 704 to Madison and follow the directions above.

From the west, take US 311 to Madison. At the traffic light just past the brick Methodist Church, turn left onto Market Street. Go two blocks, and turn right onto Murphy Street. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right at the bottom of the hill onto Water Street. Continue under the bridge. The access site is on the left.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.

For more information, contact T Butler, members@danriver.org or 336-349-5727.

For membership information, visit http://www.danriver.org/.

Press release by: T. Butler
Posted by: Vicky Thomas