Friday, 14 June 2013

New River Gorge National Waterway

We spent a good portion of Friday traveling down the New River Gorge National Waterway.  We found this area particularly interesting since neither Meriam nor I knew anything about the New River. No one knows how the river got its name, but many think the New River is actually the second oldest river in the world, second only to the Nile! Geologists believe it was formed when the continents of Africa and North America collided, eons ago. Another other oddity of the New River is it flows from South to North! All other rivers in West Virginia flow from North to South.

The gorge is replete with coal, but the gorge was inaccessible until 1873 when the railroad was built through the valley. This opened up the area to major coal mining for many decades. The mines have now played out and the mining scars are all gone. In 1973, the 53 miles of the New River and 40 miles of its tributaries were designated a National River by Congress.

Rains earlier this week have caused the New River to overflow it banks, but flooding is now controlled by a series of upstream dams.

The New River near flood stage.

A view of the New River Gorge. No more than 40 years ago, virtually all the area seen here was covered with buildings, mine shafts and scared land.

Sandstone Falls on the upper New River. Normally, the falls are much more prominent but high water today significantly reduces its dimensions.

With the falls in the background, notice the dozens of geese in the foreground. Apparently they find easy meals at the edge of the falls.

Notice the goose in the foreground. He is dunking his head underwater to “scoop in” a tasty morsel. As we watched these geese get precariously close to the edge of the falls, one got too close and over the edge he went!

Always wanting to be near the “action”, we decided this camping spot was a little too close! Too bad we didn’t bring our six foot blocks!!!