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.