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Kanawa River

Mouth at Ohio River (Mile 1) to Nine Mile Creek (Mile 9)

Thursday, August 16, 2012

(Navigation Charts 1 - 4)


Although the Kanawha does enter the Ohio at a really attractive spot adjacent to downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia I'd say that the first 3 miles are not the best for the paddler because of the sheer amount of activity on the water.  There are barges lined up all along either side and the towboats are constantly moving them in, out and all around.  In fact, Amherst Madison and AEP both have fleet headquarters here with the former having nearly a dozen towboats docked this day.  Add to that all the recreational boaters and it’s really confusing if not downright dangerous.  I was OK heading upriver but upon my return – even after 5pm – it was still busy.

I started out today from the Point Pleasant Boat Ramp which lies just inside Crooked Creek.  From here I headed downstream to the Kanawha and then on down to the Ohio River. Following that, I proceed upriver on the Kanawha to Nine Mile Creek and then came back.  This was my first trip on the Kanawha, however, so I had to decide how I wanted to narrate it and in which direction - upriver or down?  Since it’s safer to paddle upriver I‘ve decided to do it that way.

Anyway, as I put in on the creek and I found pleasant scenes immediately.  You might think you’re in the middle of the wilderness…

 


But once on the Kanawha you’ll be in the thick of the river commerce!


The Ohio lies just ahead if you go downriver less than 1/2 mile, and as you’d expect the views at the Kanawha/Ohio convergence are quite far-reaching.  Tu-Endie-Wei State Park directly on the point is quite enchanting as well as you can almost imagine yourself back in time 150 years.  The park also has a monument (the obelisk you see in the pictures) to a French/Indian War battle which was held on this site.  There's a mural drawn on the break wall here that is beyond belief!

 


Point Pleasant is a great little town with a lot of history and a river museum where, among many other things, you can simulate being a boat captain!  The Mason County website here also has a lot of good information.  And, if you’re a bit worn out after a long boat trip you can also check into the historic Lowe Hotel.

Back to the Kanawha… As I began to paddle around one of the docked barges to head back up the Kanawha my eyes met with the scene below through the sunny haze!  You’ve got to be very careful out here as a paddler!  In a situation like this you’re so low on the water (as well as behind a barge) that there’s no way for the boat captain to see you, much less avoid you.  I can only image how the captain of this boat would have felt if he’d run over a kayaker without having been able to do anything about it!



The first bridge you’ll see over the Kanawha is the one that spans from the smaller town of Henderson, West Virginia to Point Pleasant on West Virginia Route 2.  The name of the bridge is just that – The Point Pleasant-Henderson Bridge!  Then, after a second railroad bridge, you’ll find the aforementioned Amherst-Madison hub.  This company apparently has its main headquarters up in Charleston (WV) and according to their website they’re a family run company that’s been around since 1893!  They offer marine towing, construction and repair services to go with a rental operation.  You'll see their boats all over the Ohio River. 



The buoy that marks mile 1.2 comes up directly after this.  Note the bird perched at the top and the fluster of feathers as it took off (in the second photo).  I was amazed to see such an array of feathers from a bird that at first looked to me like a common seagull.  I wish I could have gotten a clearer shot.  If anyone can tell me what kind of bird this is I'd be grateful.




Anyway, after another towboat passed I was to have a break in the action – at least on the side southern side of the water.  The barges had switched sides!  Meanwhile, I found the scene below to be interesting. What was this?  A former business?  An old river camp?  I'd later find out that it was part of an old marina, but what intrigued me most is that there used to be a lock and dam right around this point (Old Number 11) yet I saw no trace of it.  The second photo below is a final look back at the Ohio where you can clearly see just how "clogged" with traffic a river can get.



At this point I noticed that a towboat was following me upstream - the "Dell Butcher" of Inland Marine.  Also in view was the "Alabama" of Amherst Madison on my left.  As it turned out, the first looked to be going to the assistance of the second right near the mouth of the Three Mile Creek.  What’s interesting about Three Mile is that it apparently has mouths on both sides!  If you look at a map you’ll see this.  It enters the Kanawha both here and a little further up as well.  I wasn’t able to get back very far on this southern end due to deadfall debris and I'd later find the northern end to be completely blocked off.


Continuing up the river you’ll have a little more tranquility after you pass the last of the barges.  The Jim Hooff Light and Day Marker will come up at mile 4.2 and large swaths of farmland will come into view on your right along with forested, intermittently hilly areas on your left.  It was in here that I began noticing a ton of mayflies in the shoreline trees and when I came upon the Five Mile Creek (at mile 4.5!) I found that I wasn’t able to get back very far into this one either due to deadfall debris.  The photo below was taken looking downriver from the spot.


A little further up and back on the left side I spotted a little sternwheeler boat docked along the shoreline.  What a great sight it was amid the rural landscape!  Later I'd see another of these fine craft out on the water (below).  In fact, Point Pleasant used to host a stern wheel festival every summer.  Another interesting thing near this location is an old business that the charts have as the Ambrosia Machine Dock.  I’m not sure if the place still in operation but you can see a crane here along with remnants of what look like some old docking operations.


Next came an osprey or hawk (I think)!   Can you spot it in the middle of the photo?  The bird picked a great spot to camouflage itself!


There was also a little ecosystem near this point supported by a fallen tree…


Below is the scene as you near the Brighton Light and Day Marker around mile 6 and, coming up on your left, is a campground just past mile 7.  Eight Mile Creek comes up next – again not navigable.  "Was I going to get a side stream to paddle today?"  I wondered.


Well…  Just past mile 8 you’ll have the Nine Mile Creek Light and Day Marker and the namesake of this marker was navigable!  In fact, I thought Nine Mile Creek was pretty amazing and the stream went back about a mile, providing some great scenes!



Once back on the Kanwha I paddled over to the other side where I encountered a pleasant little fishing spot…


Along with a kingfisher… These birds had proven in the past to be very elusive as far as pictures (at least for my budget camera).


I had a lot of other company as well.  The towboat Escatawpa passed me heading upriver.  He’d passed me before in the other direction - must have picked something up.   Then Sarah Ingram of Ingram Barge passed and, once back at all the barges near mile 3, I encountered a third towboat.  At first it appeared to be stationary, but when I got up there the vessel began to bring one of the barges out into the Kanawha.  Needless to say, I got out of the way! 

The most awkward situation I’ve ever had on the water, however, occurred here as well.  I was on the southern side trying to get some better pictures of the craft at Amherst Madison and I’d just finished when I spotted another towboat coming upriver toward me.  I wasn’t sure where he was going so I decided to stop, wait and see…

Then he stopped… 

Uh… Right!  He wanted to go EXACTLY where I was!  Mortified, I paddled as quickly as I could to be out his way!  I didn’t even chance taking the time to get a photo so I don’t know the name of the vessel to thank the fine captain who put up with me.

In closing, I’ll leave you with some pictures of what this congested area can be like – near nightfall.  Note in the photo’s below that waverunners can add an extra element of navigation complication as they race up and down the water.  Before you paddle anywhere near the mouth of the Kanawha I’d bring an extra dose of caution!   In fact, as I stated earlier I can’t recommend this section.  There is a ramp further upstream in the community of Leon at mile 10.  It’s just past the post office there.  I hope to describe that section soon.




DIRECTIONS:


From the McDonalds at the intersection of West Virginia Route 2 and 6th Street in downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia, follow West Virginia Route 62 East away from town. You’ll go just over 3 miles and then 62 will split to your right. Keep on it and once you’ve gone 10 miles start keeping a very sharp eye out for the turnoff to the ramp. You’ll first notice that you’re driving along a sheer rock wall on your left, then you’ll pass Leon Baden Road, then another road and then a bridge over Twelve Mile Creek. The turnoff will be almost immediately after this bridge – and across from the post office. Turn right and follow the lane a short distance to the river. You’ll go under a railroad bridge but be careful – it’s one-lane going under this bridge at a sharp curve. Please go very slowly and gingerly.