1. The New River: An
Appalachian Mountain
Natural Resource
Kenneth Goode
(Montgomery County, VA)

2. Geography
The New River is formed by the confluence of the
South Fork and the North Fork in Ashe County, North
Carolina. It then flows north into southwestern
Virginia, passing near Galax, Virginia and through a
gorge in the Iron Mountains. Continuing north, the
river enters Pulaski County, Virginia, where it is
impounded by AEP Claytor Dam, creating Claytor Lake.
North of the dam the New River accepts the Little River
and passes the city of Radford, Virginia before passing
through Walker Mountain via a narrow water gap.
After flowing north through Giles County, Virginia and
the town of Narrows, the river crosses into West
Virginia.
In WV, The New River is impounded by Bluestone Dam,
creating Bluestone Lake in Summers County. The
Bluestone River tributary joins the New River in
Bluestone Lake. Just below the dam the Greenbrier
River joins the New River, which continues its
northward course into the New River Gorge. Near the
end of the gorge, the river flows by the town of
Fayetteville, West Virginia. A few miles northwest of
Fayetteville, much of the New River's flow is diverted
through the 3-mile (4.8 km) Hawks Nest Tunnel for use
in power generation. The water re-enters the river just
upstream of Gauley Bridge, where the New merges
with the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River.

3. A Brief History
Despite its name, the New River is considered by some
geologists to be one of the oldest rivers in the world. In this
particular region, together with the river's many cuts
through various erosion-resistant Appalachian rocks, tends
to reveal that the New River's formation preceded uplift of
the Appalachian Mountains themselves described in
Tectonic Plate Theory. The first recorded European
exploration of the New River was the fur trading Batts-
Fallam expedition of 1671, sent by Abraham Wood. Variant
names of the New River include "Wood's River", after
Abraham Wood. Mary Draper Ingles traversed the region
during her now famous 1755 escape from captivity among
the Shawnees. The New River also has an extensive
industrial history, dominated by coal mining, logging and
railroads. In 1968, President Johnson signed into law the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in which the 26.5 miles
of the NC segment would become part of in 1976. The 39
miles in VA, although not a scenic river, however is a
designated blueway.
As a result of location, wealth of natural resources, and
breath taking natural beauty, the New River has become a
international tourism destination area. Today, there are
many parks, forests and trails along its watercourse. These
include (upstream to downstream): Pisgah National Forest,
New River SP, New River Trail SP (focus park), Shot Tower
Historical SP, Claytor Lake SP, Jefferson National Forest,
Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Bluestone WMA,
Bluestone SP, New River Gorge National River, Grandview,
Babcock SP, and Hawks Nest SP.
New River Bridge under construction in Fayetteville, WV
William and Mary Ingles house near Radford, VA
Lee Highway construction at Pulaski, VA

4. History
In December 1986, Norfolk Southern Corporation donated a 57-
mile tract of abandoned railroad right-of-way to the
Commonwealth of Virginia for the establishment of a new state
park. Because railroad tracks had previously been on the strip of
land, the cinder roadbed needed very little grading. With the help
and support of volunteer groups and chambers of commerce in
the region, the park was able to open in May 1987 with four miles
of trail. Since then approximately 57 miles of the park are open to
the public.
Geography
The park is 1,337 acres with width averaging 80 feet. The length
from Galax to Pulaski is 51.5 miles; from Fries Branch, 5.5 miles,
giving the linear river park a total length of 57 miles. The park
parallels the scenic and historic New River for 39 miles and passes
through four counties before discontinuing. The park lies at North
Latitude 36.88 /West Longitude 80.85.

5. Recreation
There are many ways in which to
enjoy outdoor activities at the
New River Trail. Some include:
multi-use trails, fishing, boating,
tubing, a horse complex, camping,
picnicking, and many other
outdoor activities.
There is a environmental
education center at Foster Falls
and a visitors center in Cliffview
and Foster Falls. There is also
campsites at Cliffview and
Millrace. The are nature an
history programs for interested
visitors, and a historic shot tower
used for the manufacturing of
ammunition during the 1800’s.
There is also a AEP dam near Fries
used for electrical power
generation.