winfieldwvtoraymondcitywv

Kanawa River

Winfield Lock and Dam (Mile 31) to Raymond City, WV Boat Ramp (Mile 38.5)

September 2024

I can tell you that the general feel for this section of the river is much, much different from what you'll see downstream from the dam that's here in Winfield, West Virginia. The farmland is still around, of course, but it's elevated up and further from the shoreline because of the hillier terrain out here. In fact, the terrain doesn't leave much room for anything but rows of houses along the shoreline. As far as incoming streams, you'll see several in this section but they're either too shallow to paddle, too close to the dwellings to be comfortable or they're full of boats!

The population is denser out here too which led to an encounter with impatience on my drive in. I'll never understand the need to manufacture ill will out of nothing, but you've got to take the good with the bad sometimes - even in the midst of a beautiful environment like this. I'll just share something that's changed both my life and my perspective this year - the Bible in a Year podcast with Father Mike Schmitz. I couldn't recommend it more highly! Below are some photos from the ramp which was fairly recently completed in 2018. Be aware, however that there are no restroom facilities.

Today I began by heading downriver - but only just a little because the Winfield Lock and Dam is only about 1/2 mile down! I crossed to the other side of the river too, because I wanted to try and get a better look at the shoreline near the arrival point for the lock chamber. You'll note that the dam here is rather unique in that it's built just upstream from a relatively severe curve in the river. I've only ever seen these built along straight sections. It would seem to me that the placement would make things more difficult, but I must be missing something.

You'll note in the first photo the long wall which, according to the signs here, extends for 4,000 yards. There are signs at intervals pointing to how much further in terms of yards you have to go before you reach the entrance to the lock chamber. The same wall extends 4,000 yards downstream on the other side of the dam too. In fact, there they have paths constructed in the midst of the wall so that people can come down to the shoreline to fish. Apparently they also have walking trails and some ponds up on the grounds down there too. I covered that part of the river in my last journal and within it I have some photos showing that side. Anyway, it's quite colorful out here this time of year...

Having thus gotten as close to the structure as I cared (and was safe) to go, I turned around to head upriver. Below are some more scenes from between the dam and the boat ramp. It's interesting how much the sun factors into the color of these scenes. You'll note it below. The first and third photos have a more subdued color while the one in the middle has much more vibrant hues.

A couple of those streams I mentioned come up right after the bridge, one of either side. Neither appear to be named and neither were navigable further than you can see back into them. I paddled slightly into the mouth of the one on the right as I found it quite picturesque and had some geese for company. As per maps of the area, it seems that a ferry used to cross the river near the mouths of these two streams.

Also interesting - up among the trees on the hill on the left side of the river is something they call the Red House Rocks. As per the link there's a rock formation up there that once looked like a red house to the boats coming downriver and it was used to warn them of some treacherous shoals coming up. In the photo below the formation would be on the hill to the right. It looks like there's a hiking trail that runs up there but from the photo on the link it appears that the formation has now been terribly defaced.

Following this, a 90 degree curve in the river will take you through the rest of the community of Winfield on your right as well as that of Red House on your left. You'll also note a couple light and day markers on the left side as well as a couple incoming little streams. A train track also emerges near the shoreline on the left and it'll follow fairly close for the rest of the day.

What next ensues is a long 3 mile straight stretch... I like these because they give me a chance for a breather, so to speak. What I mean is that I can settle into my surroundings in these less hectic sections. I believe that at some point in our experiences - a point at which our senses begin to dull - we stop being just observers of what we see and actually become part of the atmosphere ourselves!

It's at the end of this straight section that you'll encounter a cluster of interesting things, all on your left. Amont them are an old business and an incoming stream (Guano Creek) that lies within the Amherst/Plymouth Wiflife Area. Even more interesting - you may even see some sternwheel boats here at a point the maps call the Turtle Cove Marina! There are also 3 large, white, steel balls that are placed along the shoreline amidst all this.

First comes the business... It doesn't look like anything is left but the remnants of a very interesting circular structure on the bank (below). According to the maps this is near the site of Webb Landing. Perhaps another ferry used to run here and the structure was used as a warehouse?

One last photo from the ramp - it's a nice one!