Paddlers Brave Hurricane to Ride the Smith!

Actually, it wasn't that bad at all! In true DRBA tradition, we don't make the decision to cancel river trips until we're at the boat launch. That policy worked to our advantage on Saturday since what we thought might turn out to be a yucky rainy day actually ended up as a wonderful sunny day to paddle the Smith River.

Thirteen boaters braved the ominous forecast to come out and see if the trip would happen. Those boaters were treated to a great paddle trip from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell's Bridge with plenty of water flow. Following the paddle, the group ate picnic lunches at the Gravely Nature Preserve and were given guided tours of the trails by DRBA trip coordinator Paul Johnson.



Join us on Saturday, October 4th as we paddle the Dan River!

Paddlers Brave Hurricane to Ride the Smith!

Actually, it wasn't that bad at all! In true DRBA tradition, we don't make the decision to cancel river trips until we're at the boat launch. That policy worked to our advantage on Saturday since what we thought might turn out to be a yucky rainy day actually ended up as a wonderful sunny day to paddle the Smith River.

Thirteen boaters braved the ominous forecast to come out and see if the trip would happen. Those boaters were treated to a great paddle trip from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell's Bridge with plenty of water flow. Following the paddle, the group ate picnic lunches at the Gravely Nature Preserve and were given guided tours of the trails by DRBA trip coordinator Paul Johnson.



Join us on Saturday, October 4th as we paddle the Dan River!

Safety tips for paddling on the Smith River

Martinsville Bulletin Managing Editor Amanda Buck
canoes on the Smith River with Brian Williams of the
Dan River Basin Association.

Sunday, September 7, 2008
Article by Amanda Buck; Photo by Darrin Doss

Brian Williams and Jennifer Doss of the Dan River Basin Association stress the following safety tips for anyone interested in paddling down the Smith River:

• Before you set out, call 629-2432 for a power generation schedule.

• If you haven’t paddled before, go with experienced paddlers before going alone. DRBA and other local groups are happy to teach beginners, Williams said. When you are learning, stick to nongeneration times to avoid the fast-moving water, which is up to 12 feet deep in some places.
As Doss put it, “You’re not gonna do the double black diamond ski slope unless you do the bunny slope first.”

• Always wear a life jacket. “We see a lot of people on the river without life jackets,” Doss said. That is dangerous even for good swimmers, Williams said, given the chance of hitting rocks and the temperature of the water. It comes out of the dam at about 40 degrees. “You don’t want to go in the water if you can help it,” Williams said. “Even in the summer, it’s very easy to get hypothermic regardless of how hot the air is.”

• Watch out for strainers, which are fallen trees, limbs, bridge pilings or rocks. Water can get around strainers, but they often tip people’s boats and “strain you right out,” Williams said.
“It’s always so important to pay attention to the river because even with an experienced paddler” unexpected things occur, Doss said, such as a tree falling overnight.

• Stay in the middle of the river to avoid being caught up in vegetation hanging from the bank. That vegetation can act as a strainer.

• If you are an inexperienced paddler, stay away from rocks. Some experienced paddlers enjoy playing around rocks, but that is dangerous for beginners, Williams said.

• If you fall out of your boat, point your feet downstream and try to get to a calm area as quickly as possible.

• Take an extra paddle along in case you lose one to the river.

• Don’t go alone. “We paddle in groups so we can help each other,” Doss said.

For more information on the Dan River Basin Association, call 634-2545 or visit www.danriver.org.

New Hiking Guide Available

A special thank you to Barbara Winn and Aileen Bourne of the Martinsville-Henry County Master Gardeners for volunteering their time to create hiking guides for the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve! The first guide in the series is now complete and aids in the identification of ferns. There are ten species of ferns that can be found on the property.

The guide titled "Ferns of the Gravely Preserve" will be available as a downloadable PDF on the DRBA website soon. In the meantime interested parties can pick up copies of the guide from the Henry County Office, or request a copy of the guide via e-mail. Call 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org. A second guide in the series, to be released later, will focus on fall tree identification.

Enjoy an early fall walk and take the challenge...can YOU find all ten ferns?

New Hiking Guide Available

A special thank you to Barbara Winn and Aileen Bourne of the Martinsville-Henry County Master Gardeners for volunteering their time to create hiking guides for the Richard P. Gravely, Jr. Nature Preserve! The first guide in the series is now complete and aids in the identification of ferns. There are ten species of ferns that can be found on the property.

The guide titled "Ferns of the Gravely Preserve" will be available as a downloadable PDF on the DRBA website soon. In the meantime interested parties can pick up copies of the guide from the Henry County Office, or request a copy of the guide via e-mail. Call 276-634-2545 or e-mail jdoss@danriver.org. A second guide in the series, to be released later, will focus on fall tree identification.

Enjoy an early fall walk and take the challenge...can YOU find all ten ferns?

Calling All Volunteers!

Members of the Henry County Bike Club
enjoying the Fieldale Trail earlier this year.

The Dan River Basin Association is partnering with the Henry County Bike Club to host a volunteer workday on Saturday, September 27th to begin work on Phase II of the Fieldale Trail on River Road in Fieldale, Virginia. We need YOUR help!

Background Info: The Fieldale Trail is a project sponsored by the Dan River Basin Association and Henry County Parks & Recreation. The project is funded by The Dominion Foundation. One mile of shared-use trail currently exists and an additional mile of trail will be added on to it going downstream along the Smith River. This trail addition will enhance the recreational opportunities available in Henry County and also be part of DCR's mountains to sea trail system which will pass through Henry County bringing in tourists.

Details: Volunteers are needed to help prep the area before machinery comes in to construct the trail. Tasks include: cutting fallen logs/limbs and removing them from the trail, removing rocks from the trail, and cutting small saplings that cannot be avoided. After the trail surface is cleared, a walk-behind bush hog (use of bush hog donated by Frith Construction) will be used to mow down the tall grasses where needed. We will begin work at 10 am and try to clear as far as we can get down the trail by 1pm.

Supplies Needed: Chainsaws, loppers, machetes, and any other tools that might be useful for removing debris from the trail. Please wear clothing and shoes appropriate for working outdoors. Bug spray is highly recommended. Please also bring a bottle of water.

Extra Fun: The Henry County Bike Club is hosting a Beginner's Bike Ride on the Fieldale Trail at 9am before the workday begins. Bike riders of all experience levels are invited to attend. Feel free to bring your bike, helmet, and join in the fun!

Directions: From the Hwy 220 bypass take the exit for Fieldale, Dillon's Fork Road. Travel east and the name will change to Patrick Avenue as you enter the town of Fieldale. You will come to a stop sign with an Iron Bridge across from you and a ball field to the right. Turn right onto S. River Road. As you drive down the road you will see the trail to your left. Keep going until you pass a water treatment plant and the trailhead parking lot will be on your left.

Other Dates: If you cannot attend on Sept. 27 and would still like to help with this project, please contact Jennifer. Additional workdays will be held throughout the fall and we are signing up volunteers for the later dates as well.

Questions: Please contact Jennifer Doss, Project Manager, with any questions at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org

Calling All Volunteers!

Members of the Henry County Bike Club
enjoying the Fieldale Trail earlier this year.

The Dan River Basin Association is partnering with the Henry County Bike Club to host a volunteer workday on Saturday, September 27th to begin work on Phase II of the Fieldale Trail on River Road in Fieldale, Virginia. We need YOUR help!

Background Info: The Fieldale Trail is a project sponsored by the Dan River Basin Association and Henry County Parks & Recreation. The project is funded by The Dominion Foundation. One mile of shared-use trail currently exists and an additional mile of trail will be added on to it going downstream along the Smith River. This trail addition will enhance the recreational opportunities available in Henry County and also be part of DCR's mountains to sea trail system which will pass through Henry County bringing in tourists.

Details: Volunteers are needed to help prep the area before machinery comes in to construct the trail. Tasks include: cutting fallen logs/limbs and removing them from the trail, removing rocks from the trail, and cutting small saplings that cannot be avoided. After the trail surface is cleared, a walk-behind bush hog (use of bush hog donated by Frith Construction) will be used to mow down the tall grasses where needed. We will begin work at 10 am and try to clear as far as we can get down the trail by 1pm.

Supplies Needed: Chainsaws, loppers, machetes, and any other tools that might be useful for removing debris from the trail. Please wear clothing and shoes appropriate for working outdoors. Bug spray is highly recommended. Please also bring a bottle of water.

Extra Fun: The Henry County Bike Club is hosting a Beginner's Bike Ride on the Fieldale Trail at 9am before the workday begins. Bike riders of all experience levels are invited to attend. Feel free to bring your bike, helmet, and join in the fun!

Directions: From the Hwy 220 bypass take the exit for Fieldale, Dillon's Fork Road. Travel east and the name will change to Patrick Avenue as you enter the town of Fieldale. You will come to a stop sign with an Iron Bridge across from you and a ball field to the right. Turn right onto S. River Road. As you drive down the road you will see the trail to your left. Keep going until you pass a water treatment plant and the trailhead parking lot will be on your left.

Other Dates: If you cannot attend on Sept. 27 and would still like to help with this project, please contact Jennifer. Additional workdays will be held throughout the fall and we are signing up volunteers for the later dates as well.

Questions: Please contact Jennifer Doss, Project Manager, with any questions at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org