Henry County Students to Design Trash Truck Logo

The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), in partnership with Henry County Public Schools and Henry County, has been awarded a grant to increase public awareness of litter prevention. The “Keep Virginia Beautiful” grant features a logo contest in which area students will compete for the design that may be placed on one or more county garbage trucks.

“We are thrilled to partner with DRBA and Henry County Schools on this project,” said Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams.  “Our community needs everyone working together to tackle our litter problem, and this is a great start.”

One winning student's artwork and one winning student's slogan will be selected for an anti-litter marketing campaign.  The final product will be displayed on various items: signage, t-shirts, caps, stickers, etc., to be distributed locally.  Additionally, a county-wide event will be held riverside to clean up litter along the Smith River.  Henry County also has proposed that new garbage trucks use the artwork/slogan for reinforcement as they travel the County.
“Having children design the artwork and slogan provides a sense of accomplishment for the students and educates them about the litter problem,” said Brian Williams, DRBA project leader.  “We believe the anti-litter marketing campaign will bring a large number of people to a clean-up event, including the media, and that the areas alongside the Smith River in Henry County will experience a tremendous amount of community pride in their children and river.”

DRBA Executive Director, Tiffany Haworth, said the nonprofit is excited about “this very visible” project. “I’d love to see this happen in communities throughout the Dan River Basin,” she said.

"Henry County Public Schools looks forward to partnering with DRBA and Henry County on this issue. Our students are creative, critical thinkers who will undoubtedly be part of the solution in taking care of our community today and in the future," said Melany Stowe, spokesperson.

DRBA preserves and promotes the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River Basin through recreation, education and stewardship. Keep Virginia Beautiful provided opportunities for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of 30 grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories:  beautification, litter prevention, and recycling.  These grants are made possible by KVB partners Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

June 2 First Saturday Outing on the Dan from Hanging Rock to Moratock Park

You're invited to DRBA's June 2 First Saturday Outing on a popular section of the Dan River from Hanging Rock State Park to Moratock Park in Danbury, NC. Will Truslow, past president of DRBA and an avid kayaker, will coordinate the scenic five-mile float.

We'll meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Hanging Rock State Park canoe access off Flinchum Road (GPS coordinates: 36.4299, -80.2482) to unload boats and gear and set the shuttle. Boat rentals and shuttle will be provided by the nearby Dan River Company, 336-593-2628, www.danrivercompany.com, or Three Rivers Outfitters of Eden, 336-627-6215, www.3-R-O.com.

According to Truslow, "This outing goes through one of the most scenic sections of the Dan in Stokes County. There are several stretches of high bluffs coming down to the river's edge, along with areas of dense rhododendron. Just spectacular. Well into the trip there is a cave in a rock cliff."

Adds Charlie Williams, former DRBA outings chair, "At normal levels this section offers mostly calm waters with one easy Class II rapid at Moratock Park," just before the take-out. "The easy put-in and take-out make this an excellent family trip."

Shortly after the put-in, boaters will pass under the NC 89 Highway Bridge. About three miles into the trip is Seven Island Bridge. Except for these two landmarks, most of the trip reveals little evidence of human disturbance, with nearly half of the river corridor passing through State Natural Heritage Areas. At this time of year, wildflowers may be in bloom along the banks.

After loading their boats at Moratock Park, participants may enjoy visiting the historic 1843 Moratock Furnace, a 40-foot-high granite structure where iron ore from local mines was smelted. According to "The Dan River Atlas," water from the river was channeled through "an ingenious tunnel through the horseshoe bend" to power the bellows for the furnace. Only the furnace near the canoe access remains today.

Additional interesting facts about this river section's history, culture, and nearby attractions are found in Maps 68 -- 70 of DRBA's publication, "An Insider's Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia," available at www.danriver.org .

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

DIRECTIONS: To reach the Hanging Rock Access from Stuart, VA, travel south on Route 8. Turn left on Route 89. Travel about ¼ mile, and turn right onto Flinchum Road, which is marked by a brown DAN RIVER ACCESS sign. Drive past the Dan River Company on the way to the concrete launch ramp.

From the town of Danbury, travel west on Route 89. Pass the hospital and the road to Hanging Rock State Park. About one mile west of the hospital, turn left onto Flinchum Road, which is marked by a brown DAN RIVER ACCESS sign. Drive past the Dan River Company on the way to the concrete launch ramp.

MORE INFORMATION: Will Truslow, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com

DRBA May 5 First Saturday Outing to Paddle Smith from Sports Complex to Mitchell Bridge

On Saturday, May 5, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) invites you to paddle a particularly interesting section of the Smith River, including a portion new to DRBA's outings.  The organization's First Saturday Outing will float 6 miles from the Smith River Sports Complex Access to the Mitchell Bridge Access in Henry County, Virginia.

Participants will meet a 10:00am at the Smith River Sports Complex (GPS36.63383,-79.82511).  Boat rentals and shuttle may be arranged through Smith River Adventure Outfitters of Martinsville, (276) 252-0701, http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/, or Three Rivers Outfitters of Eden (336)627-6215, http://www.3-r-o.com/.

Coordinators for the outing are two avid paddlers and board officers of DRBA, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Mark Bishopric.  Kirkpatrick says, "This will be the first time DRBA has scheduled a First Saturday Outing on the first two miles of this section.  The Class III rapid know as Eggleston Falls is bypassed by a batteau sluice, making it appropriate for novice paddlers."

In the nineteenth century, the Smith River was improved to allow long, narrow batteaux, the commericial craft that carried cargo up and down the river, to pass through rocky ledges.  The river's navigation improvements include the channel beside Eggleston Falls, described in DRBA's Insider's Guide to the Smith River as "the largest set of falls on the Smith River."

According to the guide, available at http://www.danriver.org/, "a batteau sluice blaseted out of bedrock is adjacent to the falls river left."  DRBA coordinators will point out the sluice for those who prefer to use the gentler passage.

Just downstream of Eggleston Falls, Marrowbone Creek enters the Smith River from the right.  The Marrowbone Creek Access is one of the most popular launching sites on the river.

On a hillside just below Marrowbone Creek, covered by a rhododendron thicket, is the 75-acre Gravely Nature Preserve, developed by DRBA as part of the Smith River Trail System.  The preserve, a Henry County park, boasts two miles of trials with interpretive signs, a wealth of wildflowers and ferns, and the family cemetery of the historic Burgess Plantation.  Hikers may be glimpsed on the riverside trail.

A mile below the Gravely Nature Preserve, Leatherwood Creek enters the river from the left.  Near the headwaters of the creek, Patrick Henry lived on a large plantation from 1779-1786.  Both Patrick and Henry counties ar named in honor of this Revolutionary War patriot.

Boaters may wish to take a side excursion up Leatherwood Creek to enjoy the shade and explore for wildflowers and birds.  A short distance downriver a broad rounded boulder in the middle of the Smith, fondly dubbed "Lunch Rock," beckons paddlers to stop and break out a snack.

Within half a mile is a long bedrock layer that spans the river, with a channel on the far right, possibly cut for batteau navigation. Another half mile brings boater to Long Island, flanked by Long Island Rapids that provide one last maneuvering opportunity in sight of the takeout at Mitchell Bridge Access.

Paticipants in the outing are asked to bring boat, a life jacket for each boater, lunch and water.  Dress in layers of synthetic (quick-drying) fabric or wool, and be prepared for wind or rain.  Because its water come from the bottom of Philpott Lake, the Smith River is always cold.

  All participants are asked to sign a waiver.

The put-in is at the Smith River Sports Complex, 1000 Irisburg Road, Axton, Virginia.

From US 220, turn east on US 58 toward Danville.  Drive 2.5 miles, and turn right onto County Road 650/Irisburg Road.  The Sports Complex is 1/4 mile on the right.  Immediately after passing through the gates, turn left onto a gravel road beside the maintenance sheds.  Follow the road downhill to the parking lot at the top of the ramp.

From Danville, take US 58 west towards Martinsville for about 15 miles.  Take US 58 West ramp to US 220 toward Stuart/Roanoke/Ridgeway/Greensboro.  Drive about 3.5 miles, and exit onto County Road 650/Irisburg Road.  Turn left onto Irisburg Road.  The Sports Complex is 1/4 mile on the right.  Immediately after passing through the gates, turn left onto a gravel road beside the maintenance sheds.  Follow the road downhill to the parking lot at the top of the ramp.

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

For trip information, contact trip coordinator Wayne Kirkpatrick, wynbtyk@embarqmail.com, (540) 570-3511 or (276) 694-4449, or Mark Bishopric, mbishopric@3-r-o.com, (336) 627-6215.

For information about the Dan River Basin Association, visit http://www.danriver.org/.

5th Annual Environmental Education Expo

Event to Benefit DRBA

1 ticket $40, 2 tickets $60 - Purchase online at powerhouseproject.net

DRBA to Paddle Dan from State Line to US 58

On Saturday, April 7, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) invites you to paddle a rarely traveled section of the Dan River. 

The organization's First Saturday Outing will float 9 miles from the Berry Hill Bridge at the North Carolina-Virginia line to near the US 58 Bridge in Pittsylvania County, VA.

Participants will meet at 10:00 am at a private access point on the north side of Berry Hill Bridge on Virginia Route 880/North Carolina Route 1761 (GPS36.543508,-79.605914).

Three Rivers Outfitters of Eden, 336-627-6215 or http://www.3-r-o.com/, will offer boat rentals and shuttle for the float, which will end on private property with the owner's permission.

Coordinator for the outing is Dr. Will Truslow, avid paddler and past president of DRBA.  Truslow says, "This is the first time DRBA has had a paddle through this part of the Dan.  Most of the trips is in Virginia with gently moving water, and there is a subtle beauty to the section. We're likely to see blue herons along the way."

 Participants in the outing are asked to bring boat, a life jacket for each boater, lunch, and water.  Since the lunch stop will be late in the trip, snacks are recommended.

 Dress in layers of synthetic (quick-drying) fabric or wool, and be prepared for wind or rain.  All participants are asked to sign a waiver.

To reach the put-in from Eden, take NC 770 (Meadow Road) east.  Continue into Virginia on County Road 863 (Berry Hill Road).  After 0.8 mile, turn right onto County Road 880 (Stateline Road).  The destination is through a gate 1/2 mile ont he left.

From US 29, turn west onto NC700 toward Eden.  After 6.9 miles, turn slightly right onto Loop Loop.  Take the first right onto Berry Hill Bridge Road.  After 2.5 miles, cross the Dan River.  Proceed a short distance to the first curve, and turn right through the gate.

From the west, take US58 east toward Danville.  Turn righ5t onto County Road 708 (Long Circle), drive 0.2 mile.  Turn left onto County Road 862 (Oak Hill Road); drive 5 miles.  Turn right onto County Road 863 (Berry Hill Road); drive 0.8 mile.  Take the first left onto County Road 880 (Stateline Road).  The destination is through a gate 1/2 mile on the left.

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

For trip information, contact trip coordinator Will Truslow, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com

For information about the Dan River Basin Association, visit http://www.danriver.org/.

DRBA Tenth Year Celebration March 3 in Danville

Come and celebrate the Dan River Basin Association's Tenth Anniversary!

DRBA's Annual Celebration honoring its first decade will begin at 9:30am on Saturday, March 3, in the Pepsi Building at The Crossing, 661 Craghead Street, Danville, VA (GPS 36.584404,-79.385639). The public is invited free of charge.

The day's activities will include all the major elements of DRBA's mission- preserving and promoting the region's rivers and culture through education, recreation and stewardship. In addition, a look back over DRBA's many successes during its first ten years will provide inspiration for the coming years' efforts in the mult-county, bi-state river basin.

After a half hour to enjoy refreshments and view displays, the short business session will include recognition of exceptional volunteer service, election of board members, and staff reports on the Association's extensive activities in Virginia and North Carolina during the past year, as well as a glimpse of the year ahead.

Featured as the Celebration's speaker is one of DRBA's founding members, Dr. Lindley S. Butler of Wentworth. As a senior North Carolina historian and author of numerous books and articles on local, state, and regional history, Butler is uniquely qualified to present a program on his topic- Dan River Basin Association: Past, Present, and Future.

Encompassing portions of sixteen counties in Virginia and North Carolina in its 3300 square mile watershed, the Dan River Basin includes six rivers- the Mayo, Smith, Sandy, Banister, Hyco, and of course, the Dan. The Dan River Basin Association was formed in 2002 to preserve and promote the region's abundant natural and cultural resources.

Recognizing that this beautiful area, extending from the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the broad waters of Kerr (Buggs Island) Lake, shares a history of reliance on the rivers for transportation, commerce, and industry, DRBA provides a unified vision of cooperation across geographic boundaries.

Butler has provided leadership for DRBA, serving as a founding board member and officer. He spearheaded efforts that ensured the establishment of the Mayo River State Park in North Carolina and the Gravely Nature Preserve in Virginia. In addition, his work on the historic batteau navigation structures in the Dan River earned the placement of many of these structures on the National Register of Historic Places.

Members and guests will hear reports from the Association's staff, including Executive Director Tiffany Haworth and program managers and coordinators from DRBA's four offices- Collinsville, Virginia and Danbury, Yanceyville, and Eden, North Carolina.

Following the meeting and lunch provided by each participant, around 1:15pm DRBA members and guests will join Danville Parks, Recreation & Tourism's Outdoor Director Karen Cross on a hike on Danville's Riverwalk. This eight-mile paved trail is a model for trails in the region. Learn more at http://www.danvilletrails.com/.

Participants in the Celebration are asked to bring a picnic lunch to be eaten at the Pepsi Building, or plan to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant of their choosing. Those joining in the after-lunch hike should wear hiking boots or walking shoes and dress in layers.

Directions: To reach the Pepsi Building, from 58 Business in downtown Danville, take Main Street south across the Dan River and turn left at the first traffic light onto Craghead Street. Follow that for about 5 blocks until you see the sign for The Crossing at the Dan. The Pepsi Building is on the left beside the parking lot.

From the Danville Expressway, US 29/US 58, turn north onto Goodyear Blvd (State Route 737). Stay on Goodyear until it ends at Industrial Avenue. Turn right onto Industrial, which will become Craghead Street. Follow Craghead until you see the sign for The Crossing at the Dan. The Pepsi Building is on the right beside the parking lot.

Meetings and outings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public. For information about the Celebration or the hike, contact T Butler, members@danriver.org or (336) 349-5727.

Membership information is avaible as members@danriver.org.

DRBA - February 4 First Saturday Outing

Dan River Basin Association to Hike at Fairy Stone State Park February 4
Continuing DRBA’s Tenth Year Celebration

The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) will continue its Tenth Year Celebration with a February 4 hike on trails in Virginia’s Fairy Stone State Park. Participants will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Stuart’s Knob Trailhead on Union Bridge Road (Virginia State Route 623) on the north side of Fairy Stone Lake (GPS 36.798504,-80.116784).

The two-mile hike will begin with the Iron Mine Trail, which winds along high and steep ridges through areas of rhododendron and stands of beech, pine, hickory, poplar, maple, and sycamore trees. The trail’s namesake feature is the mouth of an old iron mine, its dark opening covered by a barred grate. Remnants of iron ore may be visible alongside the trail.

The path will then connect to the Upper and Lower Stuart’s Knob loops. After a few climbs and declines and a fine vista of a portion of Fairy Stone Lake, hikers will return to the parking area.
The park’s brochure rates the hike as strenuous, but Trip Coordinator Lucas Conkle, chair of DRBA’s Outings Task Force, considers the trails moderate. Switchbacks make it easier to climb the slopes, and Conkle plans to set a gentle pace to allow participants to enjoy the forest, the historic sites, and the views.

“The Stuart Knob Trail system has a nice mix of views and history,” Conkle says. “It is sure to become one of your favorite hikes if you go on the trip.”

Fairy Stone State Park, founded in 1936 as the largest of Virginia’s first six state parks, is named for the cross-shaped staurolite, a rare mineral found in the region. Legend says this area was once home to fairies and other woodland creatures. Word of Jesus’ crucifixion so saddened these fairies that they wept tears which crystallized staurolite (silica, iron and aluminum) in the form of Maltese, Roman and St. Andrews crosses.

At the conclusion of the hike, participants will eat their picnic lunches near the shore of the168-acre Fairy Stone Lake. The waters of the Smith River, delayed by the dam that forms the lake, eventually slip over the Fairy Stone spillway into Philpott Lake.

The 4,537 acre state park, still one of Virginia’s largest, offers a total of 14 miles on several hiking trails. Conkle recommends that anyone who wants to hike after lunch consider taking the 1.5-mile Whiskey Run Trail around the base of Stuart’s Knob on their own.

Participants are asked to bring lunch, water and a hiking stick; wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots; dress in layers of water-shedding artificial fabric or wool; and be prepared for rain or wind. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.

Directions: From US 220 at Bassett Forks, VA, turn west onto Hwy 57 (Fairystone Park Highway). Drive 12 ½ miles. Turn right onto Fairystone Lake Drive. Drive ½ mile, and turn left onto Fairystone Farm Lane. Continue onto Union Bridge Road. The destination will be 0.8 miles on the left.
From US 58 at Stuart, VA, turn north on Hwy 8. Drive 4 miles, then turn east onto Hwy 57 (Fairystone Park Highway). Drive 8 miles. Turn left onto Fairystone Lake Drive. Drive ½ mile, and turn left onto Fairystone Farm Lane. Continue onto Union Bridge Road. The destination will be 0.8 miles on the left.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
For more information, contact Trip Coordinator Lucas Conkle at conklel@alumni.greensboro.edu.
For membership information, visit http://www.danriver.org/.