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/.

DRBA to Hike Fieldale Trail January 7

Start of DRBA’s Tenth Year Celebration

The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) will begin its Tenth Year Celebration with a January 7 hike on the Fieldale Trail beside the Smith River in Fieldale, Virginia. Participants will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Fieldale Park (GPS 36.700615,-79.934185) near the site of the old Fieldale Iron Bridge for an out-and-back stroll coordinated by Friends of the Fieldale Trail volunteers.

Hikers may choose to walk a distance of from 1 ½ to 6 miles, since two sections comprise the trail—a 1.5-mile Upper Fieldale Trail from Fieldale Park to the original trailhead, and a 1.5-mile Lower Fieldale Trail downstream from the trailhead. Both segments are flat and easy to walk. Walking the entire distance out and back gives a total of six miles.

The Fieldale Trail offers "a golden opportunity to see Mother Nature up close and personal right in our own backyard," according to Adopt-a-Trail volunteers Charles and Pat Dameron. Tommy Wyatt, a leader of DRBA’s Friends of the Fieldale Trail, adds, “The trail is a great place to meet people from the community. Families, children, elderly people, bicyclists, and even people training for marathons use the trail as part of their daily activities.”

Hugging the bank of the Smith River, the graveled Upper Fieldale Trail winds through woods and open fields frequented by a variety of birds to the trailhead at the Fieldale Canoe Access, where a restroom is available. From there, the natural-surface Lower Fieldale Trail enters the riverside forest and skirts rhododendron bluffs alongside the river to its downstream terminus. Towering sycamore trees shelter the trail, and gravel bars and rock formations in the streambed give voice to the river.

Envisioned at a 2005 planning session of DRBA’s Martinsville-Henry County affiliate, the Fieldale Trial is part of the proposed 45-mile Smith River Trail System from Philpott Dam to the river’s confluence with the Dan River at Eden, NC, as well as the Beaches to Bluegrass Trail across Southern Virginia.

One mile of the Upper Fieldale Trail opened in July, 2007 and the Lower Fieldale Trail was dedicated in March, 2009. Built with both public and private support, the trail is operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation.

A special attraction is a section of the 1931 Fieldale Iron Bridge that carried traffic across the Smith River for nearly 70 years. When the bridge was replaced in 2009, present and former residents and friends of Fieldale from all over the United States contributed funds, time, and materials to save trusses of the landmark structure. The 54-foot portion of the historic bridge now proudly serves as nearby trail art.

Construction of the Textile Heritage Trail, an extension of the Upper Fieldale Trail, is currently underway. The loop trail will feature interpretive signs celebrating the textile heritage on which the town of Fieldale was based. Brian Williams, DRBA’s Program Manager, notes that “a hard-packed gravel surface and boardwalk will make this entire trail handicapped accessible.”

Jennifer Doss, Director of Tourism, says, “The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to work in partnership with DRBA to construct the Textile Heritage Trail. Part of our Deep Roots Legacy, this project ties together the wonderful natural resources that our community has to offer, along with its rich heritage of textiles.”

Participants in the hike should meet at 10:00 a.m. at Fieldale Park, 188 Field Avenue, at the intersection of Field Avenue and South River Road. 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 take the VA 609 exit towards Fieldale. Turn right at Dillon’s Fork Road, continue on Virginia Avenue, continue on Patrick Avenue, turn right at Field Avenue. Turn right at South River Road, and immediately turn right into the parking lot of the Fieldale Park.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
For more information, contact Trip Coordinator Paula Wyatt at 276-647-3274 or pwyatt1@embarqmail.com.
For membership information, visit http://www.danriver.org/.

Step Back to 1728 with DRBA on December 3 Outing

Dr. Will Truslow, avid outdoorsman and past president of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), will coordinate DRBA's First Saturday Outing December 3- a 2.5 mile hike beside the Mayo River. Truslow, who often runs the Mayo River in his kayak, will meet hikers at 10:00am under Anglin Mill Bridge (GPS 36.53454, -79.99010), about 0.3 mile upstream from Mayo Beach, not far om the famous "Boiling Hole."

From the meeting place, participants will walk north along the Mayo River to Fall Creek. They will turn upstream beside the creek, hikers will proceed downstream along Fall Creek back to the river's edge. They will continue north along the Mayo to a place where the North Mayo and South Mayo rivers meet near the state line.

Crossing from North Carolina into Virginia, the hikers will arrive at the literal "high point" of the outing: "Byrd's Rock" or "Byrd's Ledge." Here William Byrd, leader of the survey party that established the border between Virginia and Carolina in 1728, viewed his crossing and camping place on the west side of the North Mayo River. In keeping with the survey party's experience, DRBA participants will take their lunch break at Byrd's Ledge.

Hikers will then retrace their steps to the meeting place, again crossing Fall Creek on large rocks.

Truslow comments,"This is a flat hike that goes right beside the Mayo River and is just beautiful. Seeing the massive rock formation of the Falls is the highligt of the hike and is very impressive. It's hard to imagine an 18-foot waterfall in Rockingham County.

Thanks to efforts by DRBA, most of the path, as well as the Fall Creek waterfall are included in North Carolina's Mayo River State Park. In additional, the North Mayo and South Mayo rivers are recognized as Virginia Scenic Rivers for several miles upstream from thier confluence.

To reach the trailhead under Anglin Mill Bridge, exit US 220, turning west on Smith Road (SR 1360), winding four miles to a T-intersection wth Anglin Mill Road (SR 1358). Turn left on Anglin Mill Road and travel about a half-mile to within less than a mile of the bridge across the Mayo River. Turn left on unpaved Anglin Loop Road (SR 1385). This road will be not far past DeShazo Mill Road and the fire station. At the river, turn right on Mayo Beach Road (SR 1359), following the river upstream past the Boiling Hole to a parking area under the Anglin Mill Bridge.

Participants are asked to bring a walking stick, lunch and water, to wear stout boots and layered clothing, and to sign a waiver.

Meetings and outings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public. For more information about the outing, contact Will Truslow at (336) 547-1903 or willtruslow@hotmail.com. For information about the Dan River Basin Association visit http://www.danriver.org/.

DRBA Plans Smith River Float - November 5

DRBA First Saturday Outing on Popular Section!

On November 5 the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) will celebrate autumn with a float on the most popular section of the Smith River-Marrowbone Creek Access to Mitchell Bridge Access in Henry County, Virginia.

Meeting at 10:00am at the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve, 2525 Eggleston Falls Road in Ridgeway, VA (36.611067,-79.817712), the group will launch canoes and kayaks at the nearby access point. The 3.5-mile "blueway" Smith River Trail section, rated Class 1, is suitable for novice paddlers.

For boat rentals and shuttle, contact Smith River Adventure Outfitters,276-252-0701, http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/ or Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215, 276-340-3983, http://www.3-r-o.com/.

Trip coordinator is Wayne Kirkpatrick, President of DRBA, aided by other DRBA members who frequent this section of the river.

For the first half mile of the trip, the river flows alongside the Gravely Nature Preserve's high bluffs where paddlers can glimpse the Rhododenron Trail. As the name implies, the path winds through a rhododenron thicket as it hugs the river's edge.

About a mile farther on, Leatherwood Creek enters from river left. Paddlers may choose to enter the wide mouth of the creek and take a leisurely side trip upstream to observe fall foliage and birdlife. Early American patriot Patrick Henry, for whom both Patrick and Henry counties are named, lived on a large plantation near the headwaters of Leatherwood Creek from 1779-1786.

Just below the mouth of the Leatherwood Creek is a broad rounded boulder in the middle of the river. Known locally as "Lunch Rock," It makes "a perfect spot to stop for a break," according to "An Insider's Guide to the Smith River," DRBA's detailed river guide available at http://www.danriver.org/.

Henry County, in partnership with DRBA, has made the Smith River accessible to the public over the past four years by building public access points at eight new sites along the river, including the Marrowbone Creek Access, which opened in 2007. and Mitchell Bridge Access, built in 2009.

Participants are invited to linger after the outing to enjoy the Gravely Nature Preserve, part of the county's "greenway" Smith River Trail system, which was dedicated April 2008. Developed by DRBA and Henry County, with funding from The Harvest Foundation, the 75-acre preserve features two miles of interpretive trails. Historic features include early twentieth-century tobacco barns and the Burgess Family cemetary, reminders of former owners of the property.

Industrialist, civic leader, and archaeologist Richard P. Gravely, Jr. owned the property in the late twentieth century and left instructions for its preservation as a wildlife and nature conservancy. The preserve now hosts educational and recreational events for all ages, including day camps, fitness walks, historic presentations, workshops, after-school programs, and geo-caching.

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

To reach the Gravely Nature Preserve from US 220 south of Martinsville, turn east at a traffic light onto Old Sand Road. Cross the US 58 overpass and immediately turn left onto Eggleston Falls Road. Travel about two miles to the preserve, which is on the left, across from the foot of Old Mill Road.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
For information about the outing, contact Wayne Kirkpatrick, 276-694-4449 or wynbtyk@embarqmail.com.

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

DRBA to Clean Historic Section of Dan River

You're invited to DRBA's October 1 outing - a 5-mile cleanup float on the Dan River from Whetstone Creek to Eden. Meet at 10:00am at the NC Wildlife Access in Eden (36.4752, -79.7503), We'll paddle through several navigation sites, well-preserved ninetenth century river structures now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Corrdinated by T and Lindley Butler, the cleanup is part of NC Big Sweep, the statewide component of an international watershed cleanup. Participants record the types of trash they find,contributing to statistics that help design educational programs to prevent littering.

T Butler, who served for many years on the NC Big Sweep Board of Directors, says,"I am extremely proud of DRBA's roll in working to keep our rivers clean and safe. Our goal is litter-free waters throughout the Dan River Basin in North Carolina and Virginia.

"And", she adds, "DRBA participants always have a good time while we're collecting litter."

The navigation structure in the Dan, built in the 1820's and expanded as late as the 1880's, include sluices, landings, and wing dams that made the river usable by flatbottomed batteaux, the long, narrow workhorses of nineteenth century river commerce in the region.

According to Lindley Butler, a senior North Carolina historian,"The structures channel the water 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.

"Because of the navigation system," he continues, "this section is rated as Class 1, suitable for novice paddlers. The improvements made in the 19th century enable us to float the Dan throughout Rockingham County even in times of extreme drought."

In this section, boaters will pass through several of these improvements, including Galloway's Lower Ford Sluice and Sneed Strong's Fish Dam Sluice. Two miles into the trip, on river left, was the Grief Wade Plantation where coal was mined during the Civil War and shipped by batteau to heat military prisons in Danville.

Just after passing the confluence of Buffalo Island Creek on river left, boaters will pass under the Harrington Highway Bridge, the site of former Hamlin's (Menzies) Island. Students of river hydrology explain that islands appear and disappear as a result of water action during heavy storms and floods.

Nearby on river left one may see a fine stand of the river cane common on the river when William Byrd surveyed the "Dividing Line" in 1728 but now gradually disappearing throughout much of the river's length.

During a lunch break at Leaksville Landing, boaters can view the crib structure in the river to which the nineteenth century batteaux were moored. Leaksville Landing is the only known batteau port in the United States.

After lunch participants will drift past Johnston's Landing and then the site of the former Leaksville Covered Bridge, where a massive stone pier from the 1852 span survives, along with a 150-foot-long sluice wall on river right.

One of the last points of interest on the trip will be the confluence of the Smith River, which enters the Dan from river left. More information may be found on Maps 47-50 of An Insider's Guide to the Dan River, available at http://www.danriver.org/.

Participants in the outing are asked to bring boat, life jackets, gloves, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric and to sign a waiver. Trash bags will be provided.

Boats may be rented from Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215, http://www.3-r-o.com/.

To reach Eden Wildlife Access from the north, travel south on NC 14 through the city of Eden. After crossing the Dan River, turn right at the traffic signal onto Harrington Highway. Take the first right, Bethlehem Church Road, turning right again at the Wildlife Access.

From the south, turn left off NC 14 onto Harrington Highway at the traffic signal just south of the Dan River. Turn right onto Bethlehem Church Road, then turn right to the Wildlife Access.

From the west, take NC 770 or NC 135 towards Eden. Turn right onto Harrington Highway and continue to Bethlehem Church Road. Turn left, and then right to the Wildlife Access.

From the northeast take US 58 to Danville's western city limit, turning left on Road 863 to Berryhill Community, where 863 becomes NC 770 West. Follow NC 770 West into Eden to NC 14. Turn left onto NC 14 and travel south through Eden, cross the Dan River and turn right at the traffic signal onto Harrington Highway. Take the first right, Bethlehem Church Road, turning right again at the Wildlife Access.

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

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

September 3 Outing - Relocated

The September 3 First Saturday Outing had to be relocated since the Mayo River is too shallow, and the take-out access point is closed temporarily.

Instead, we will be running the Madison-Jacob's Creek section
NC 704 Access in Madison. Group leaders will be at the original put in site to pick up paddlers that did not get the info about the trip change.  From the Anglins Mill site they will go to the 704 Madison Access.  Most should be there by 10:30-10:45. We'll sign the waivers and set the shuttle from there, so there will be a few minutes' leeway.

Here are the directions to the Madison access point:

1.     Take US 220 South toward Greensboro.

2.     Cross Dan River, and take first ramp onto NC 704 toward Madison.

3.     At the first traffic light, turn right onto Market Street (small brown sign directs to Dan River Access).

4.     Go two blocks, and turn right onto Murphy Street.

5.     Cross the railroad tracks and turn right at the bottom of the hill onto Water Street.

6.     Continue under the bridge. The access site is on the left.

DRBA SEPTEMBER 3 OUTING - FLOATS MAYO RIVER

You're invited! Spend part of your Labor Day holiday close to home, in a beautiful setting with friendly companions, as DRBA floats the Mayo River in Rockingham County, NC on September 3.

Meeting at 10:00 am at Old Anglin Mill Road (GPS 36.52976, -79.98952), downstream from Anglin Mill Bridge, this First Saturday Outing will cover nine and a half miles to US 220 Business Access, near the towns of Stoneville and Mayodan.

Trip coordinator is experienced paddler, musician, and solar power pioneer Kirby Wilkins, known for his musical talent and scientific acumen. Wilkins, a guitarist with his own band, also repairs guitars and gives guitar lessons. He often sets up his telescope away from city lights and sometimes teaches about stars at Rockingham Community College.

The Mayo River between Mayo Beach and the US 220 Business Access is a fairly easy section of Class 1 and Class 2 rapids suitable for a family outing. There is one tricky rapid just below the put-in which can be avoided by putting in downstream from it. Those with a yen for a little more excitement will have the option of running the famous "Boiling Hole" and the "S-turn" (alias "Blender") before proceeding with the rest of the trip.

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

Direction: To reach the put-in, from 220 north of Stoneville, exit onto Smith Road (SR 1360) and turn west. Go four miles to a T-intersection with Anglin Mill Road (SR 1358). Turn left on Anglin Mill Road and travel about a half-mile to within less than a mile of the Anglin Mill Bridge over the Mayo. Turn left onto unpaved Old Anglin Mill Road (SR 1385). Go one-half mile to a T-intersection with Mayo Beach Road (SR 1359).

Information: Trip Coordinator Kirby Wilkins, 336-349-5948.

Smith River Cleanup

Volunteers once again gave back to the Smith River Saturday, August 6, 2011, as Gateway Streetscapes, Dan River Basin Association and Smith River Trout Unlimited combined forces for a clean sweep down a one mile section of the river, loading canoes, supplied for free by Smith River Adventures Outfitters, with everything from plastic bags to old tires.

“I think the river grows tires on the bottom down in this section,” said Lisa Hall, Trout Unlimited volunteer.
“There certainly were an abundance of tires littering the bottom of the Smith, we can’t get them all but we’ll get what we can in one day”, said Eric Capps of Gateway.
The section from Fieldale Bridge to the Fieldale Trail Canoe Ramp was selected as the target area. About 25 volunteers showed up to help out unfortunately, most were the same volunteers who show up whenever these events are done. “We haven’t figured out yet how to get all the “talkers” and other users of the resource off their butts to give back a little” said Al Kittredge. Seems like that attitude of “let the other guy do it” is what’s wrong with the country today.
A cookout was held after the clean-up to feed the group and plan for the next one! Our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers for coming out to lend a hand in making this a cleaner place to live and play.

Friends of Philpott Gear Swap

Saturday, August 13 · 9:00am - 4:00pm

Smith River Sports Complex - Smith River Fest
1000 Irisburg Road
Axton, Virginia

At the main festival grounds. Earn some extra cash! Bring your unwanted, gently used recreational gear and accessories so they can find a new home at the gear swap hosted by Friends of Philpott Lake.

A 10% commission fee from each sale will benefit the development of Bowens Creek Park, a fully handicap accessible recreation facility.

For those that are not able to attend. Friends of Philpott will make arrangements to pick-up/drop off items you want to sale at the Gear Swap and settle afterwards.
Contact: Linda Drage, Complete Handicap Wellness Park @ Bowens Creek: Chairperson
ldrage@comcast.net or call 276-681-6805.

The Explorer's Club

A group of eight local students had no idea what was in store for them as they scampered their way down rocks and through a hidden passage to a beautiful, majestic waterfall nestled right in the heart of Kibler Valley!

Thanks to an exciting new program, known as the Explorer’s Club, developed by the Dan River Basin Association, a select group of students became the first participants in this new adventure to experience and learn about everything from kayaking and canoeing to map and compass orientation and even wilderness survival skills.  The students ranged in age from 10 to 13 and all were from the Martinsville-Henry County area.  They were brought together through a selection process which involved filling out an extensive application providing summaries of their backgrounds and brief narrations of why they would like to be a part of the program.  They spent eight days together acquiring new skills and experiences in the outdoors. 

The young explorers met almost every day for two weeks and learned about topics such as how to survive in the outdoors, how to explore without leaving a trace, and how to identify certain plants like trees and wild flowers.  They were encouraged to push their comfort zones and explore beyond their usual boundaries while learning how to kayak and canoe and take wilderness hikes.  The group was lead by Smith River Adventure Outfitters, Eric Judday and botany enthusiast, Chad Lange.  Each day the group was also accompanied by a DRBA staff member or DRBA volunteer.

When the group first came together, the young explorers were anxious to get started but also a little shy about being around people they had never met before.  After a few days, the kids were no longer strangers; they had broken out of their shells and became a tight group that could depend on one another.   Each child showed how adventurous and courageous they really were when it came time to try something new.  On one hike, a northern water snake was discovered and each explorer got a chance to touch or hold the snake.  On another day, Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA President introduced the group to all kinds of aquatic life and all the explorers were brave enough to try their hand at holding a crayfish that was found hiding in the river.  Lisa Hall, DRBA volunteer also spent some time teaching the techniques of fly fishing to the explorers on the beautiful Smith River.

When it was time for all the fun to be over, it was no doubt that this group of young, courageous explorers would go back to their daily lives with a new kind of self assurance and courage.  Hopefully, one day when passing a local stream or river, a glimpse of something they learned or experienced will make them smile and they will share it with their friends and family so they too can want to be a part of enjoying the outdoors.  All of this was made possible through sponsorship of the Dan River Basin Association and funding from the Harvest Foundation.

First Saturday Outing - July 2

The Dan River Basin Association's First Saturday Outing on July 2 will be a 5-mile round-trip paddle on Philpott Lake from Ryan's Branch to Emerson Falls.

Meet at Ryan's Branch on the Union Bridge Road (GPS 36.849853,-80.10227).
Dress in layers of synthetic fabric, wear sunscreen and hat, and bring boat, paddles, life jackets, lunch and water.

Free and open to the public.

For more information contact: Craig S. Rockwell, 276-629-4512 Ex 224, Craig.S.Rockwell@usace.army.mil

PHILPOTT LAKE PHOTO CONTEST

Here is your chance to enter your picture and a chance to win some fantastic prizes including money (Based on the number of entries)???
PHILPOTT LAKE PHOTO CONTEST
THIS CONTEST IS INTENDED FOR ANYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE

1. THERE WILL BE A $15.00 DONATION FOR EACH ENTRY. ENTRANTS MAY ENTER AS MANY TIMES AS THEY WISH.
ALL PROFIT FROM ENTRY FEES WILL GO TO THE BOWENS CREEK HANDICAP WELLNESS PARK.For the purposes of this Contest, no judges or anyone associated with judges, including family members, will be able to enter.

2. CONTEST ENTRY PERIOD: The Contest Entry Period begins at 12:00:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“EST”) on April 18, 2011 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. EST on June 30, 2011. Entries must be received and recorded by Photo Contest Manager’s computer during the Contest Entry Period. The Photo Contest Manager’s computer is the official time keeping device for the Contest.

3. TO PARTICIPATE: To participate in the Contest, contacted Linda Drage by email ldrage@comcast.net during the Contest Entry Period and follow the instructions to enter and upload a creative, well composed and well lit photo of the Philpott Dam/Lake in any direction

THE DAM NO LATER NEEDS TO BE IN THE PICTURE. Each photo must have a signed entry form. Signed forms maybe mail to Linda Drage; 330 Mack Rd., Martinsville, VA 24112. All photos must be sent by email. By participating, you agree to be bound by these Rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all respects

By submitting an Entry, you hereby grant Sponsor consent, the right to copy, publish, display and otherwise use your Photo for purposes of the this Contest or for any advertising or publicity on behalf of the Sponsor and you agree that the Photo may be cropped, or otherwise altered for this purpose only. The Entrants will still remain the owner of the photo.

All Entrants must have a valid email address. In the event of a dispute regarding Entries received from multiple users having the same email account, the authorized subscriber of the email account at the time of submission will be deemed to be the Entrant and must comply with these Rules

4. PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Photo must be in JPEG format


• Photo must be an attachment not imdded in the email


• Photo may not be sexually explicit or suggestive, unnecessarily violent or derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, profane or pornographic, cantain nudity or any dangerous activity.


• Photo may not promote alcohol, illegal dugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or any use of any of the foregoing), any actiities that may appear unsafe or dangerous, or any particular political agenda or message


• Photo may not be obscene or offensive, endorse any form of hate or hate group


• Photo may not defame, misrepresent or contain disparaging remarks about Sponsor or other people, products or companies.


• Photo may not contain trademarks, logos or trade dress owned by others, or advertise or promote any brand or product of any kind, or contain any personal identification, such as license plate numbers, personal names, e-mail addresses or street address.


• Photo may not contain copyrighted material owned by others (including potographs, sculpture, paintings and other works of art or images published on or in websites, television, movies or other media).


• Photo may not communicate messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill to which Sponsor wishes to associate
  Photo may not depect, and cannot itself, be in violation of any law
  ENTRIES POSTED TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS ABOVE WILL NOT BE EDITED BY SPONSOR FOR THE CONTEST AND ARE THE VIEWS/OPINIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL ENTRANT AND DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF SPONSOR IN ANY MANNER.

5. WINNER SELECTION: All eligible Entries will be judged by independent judges, whose decisions regarding this Contest are final and binding in all respects, based on the following criteria: (a) 40% Adherence to Theme, (b) 30% Creativity, (c) 15% Composition and (d) 15% Focus/Lighting. In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken based on the highest score in the “Creativity” Judging Criteria. If a tie continues, then a tie(s) will be broken by the Entry with highest cumulative score in the second criteria, continuing thereafter to the third criteria, as needed, to break the tie the three Entries with the highest scores will receive a prize as set forth below.

6. PRIZES: One (1) First Prize: The Entrant with the highest score will receive a check for half the amount from total entries. The Entrant with the second highest score will receive a prize to be stated later; as well as the Entrant with the third highest score. Each Entrant will receive a Dam Post Card from the Dam Collectables. Limit one (1) prize per person. If a prize, or any portion thereof, cannot be awarded for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize with another prize of equal or greater value. Prizes won by minors will be awarded along with minor's parent or legal guardian, who must sign and return form.

7. WINNER NOTIFICATION: Winners will be notified on June 30, 2011. Sponsor is not responsible for any change of email, mailing address and/or telephone number of Entrants.
8. GENERAL CONDITIONS: By participating, Entrants agree to these Rules, which are final and binding in all respects. If the Winner cannot be reached within ten (10) business days of notification or winner is found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Rules, prize will be forfeited. By entering, each winner grants (and will confirm that grant in writing) permission to Sponsor the right to use the winner’s name, picture, likeness, voice, biographical information, and Entry (whether modified, edited, used alone, or used with other works) at any time, in any form, in any media, without compensation of any kind and without notice, review, or approval. Entrants further agree that submission of an Entry is gratuitous and made without restriction, and will not place Sponsor under any obligation.
You will need to certify that you are the photographer and sole copyright owner of the submitted Photo, and you have obtained consent of all identifiable persons shown in the Photo for use by Sponsor as set forth herein. By signing you are agreeing to the terms of the contest.You can get your form by emailing request to Linda Drage: ldrage@comcast.net or calling me at 276-681-6805. You can also pick -up at the Bassett Community Market any Thursday afternoon from noon to 3:00 PM.

Smith River Mini-Triathlon

Smith River Mini-Triathlon

Run: 1.2 miles along the beautiful Smith River   Paddle: 1.2 miles on the Smith River's class I rapids. Bike: 2.5 miles on paved and natural surface terrain. Experienced mountain bikers for bike leg. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place finishers. All pre-registered participants receive a T-shirt. Classes: Solo-Youth, Male, & Female. Team-All Male, All Female, Coed different age increments. Call 403-5140 for more inf. Registration brochures are online at www.martinsville-va.gov/Parks-and-Recreation.html  or call us for a registration brochure.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 21, Registration and check in 9am-9:45am. Race starts at 10am 
11:15am-Awards ceremony at Trailhead
LOCATION: Fieldale Trail Head, (Off River Rd., Fieldale, VA)
FEE: $15 per participant, $20 fee day of the event
Kayaks & Canoes available to rent - $15 - Smith River Outfitters, Must reserve kayaks by calling 252-0701  or canoes - 403-5140 & they will be onsite.