Into the Canyon - Newsletter of Friends of the Cheat Spring 2024
Board of Directors and Key Personnel
Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director; Owen Mulkeen, Associate Director; Madison Ball, Conservation Program Director; Garrett Richardson, Monitoring Technician; Beth Warnick, Media and Outreach Specialist; Lisa Maraffa, Program Assistant and Events Producer
Board Members
Chair: Rich Dennis, Vice-Chair: Chris Wade, Treasurer: Miranda Peddicord, Secretary: Michael Strager, Charlie Walbridge, Sarah Hinnant, Connie Miller, Ben Hogan, Zach Fowler, Dani Martin, Justin Reedy
New Wayfinding Kiosks at CRWT and Cheat Narrows
The Mountaineer Trail Network (MTN) was created by the state legislature in 2019 to identify, enhance, and promote outdoor recreation as an economic and social development mechanism within its current 16-county footprint. As part of FOC’s Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Implementation grant, MTN, in partnership with FOC and Downstream Strategies, is installing informational kiosks at four Hub Destinations: Big Bear Lake Trail Center, Mountwood Park, the Camp 70 Trail System, and the Cheat River Water Trail (CRWT) and Cheat Narrows Whitewater Section. Each kiosk includes two trail wayfinding signs designed by IMBA Trail Solutions. Tucker County-based Appalachian Dirt is scheduled to complete the installation of the kiosks by the end of July.
The kiosks and trail wayfinding signs will be pivotal for improving visitor experiences along the CRWT and Cheat Narrows. They’ll provide a guide for visitors to navigate the water sections, ensuring they can easily find their way downstream, exploring the area’s natural beauty without the fear of getting lost. The signs offer logistics about each access point (directions, parking), flatwater and whitewater safety, recommended equipment, and emergency contacts.
Additionally, the kiosks are equipped with large-scale maps and tools that assist visitors in planning their activities, QR codes for checking real-time weather updates, and understanding water safety protocols. This information not only improves navigation and safety, but also helps manage visitor flow, reduces congestion, and minimizes environmental impact on these sensitive areas.
Providing public water access points with informative kiosks and clear signage not only enhances the enjoyment and safety of these natural spaces but also promotes environmental conservation by encouraging more people to explore and respect these valuable outdoor resources.
“The 2024 Upper Cheat Water Trail improvements which include high quality informational signs placed at the most popular and used access points on the Upper Cheat. To those users coming to our area, especially for 1st time users, the addition of informational signs will be of immeasurable value as to where, how, distance, safety and other important detailed information that will provide the warm and congenial reception that people coming to West Virginia have come to know and expect. The Cheat River valley is one of the most attractive waterways in West Virginia, let alone regionally or nationally. The benefit to Preston County, neighboring counties, cities and communities is that The Upper Cheat Water Trail will show the visiting public, as well as long time residents why we are proud to call this place home.” Rob Gillian, MTN Board Member
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
Cheat Watershed Sponsors: Walbridge Family Foundation, Charlie Walbridge, Eliza Walbridge, Margaret Walbridge, Patrick & Lisa Ward, Tom & Hope Covey, Robert Uram, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Cheat River Sponsors: Szilagyi Family Foundation, The Reed Foundation, Northeast Natural Energy, Mike & Diane Green
Stream Stewards: Joe Sinsheimer & Toddi Steelman, John & Emy Hinnant, Don & Susan Sauter, David Brisell, Keel-Haulers Canoe Club, Bill & Megan Carlson, Fred & Kim Wright, Mark Gavin & Jodi Goodman, Ryan Radtka, Marina 1, LLC, James Scott, North Fork Recording, LLC, The Oakland Foundation, Richard Volkman, Robert Moore, Anne Kibler Charitable Trust, Judith Cronauer & Gerard Lechowick, Stratford Douglas & Jodie Jackson
For the period January 1 through April 15, 2024
Canyon Contributors: Danny Siger, Jennifer Sass & Mike Graham, Tyler Mayhew & Mary Luckini, Jay Mullen, Joseph & Lois Knecht, Keith Stausbaugh & Ann Morrow, Margot Stiles, Tim & Connie DeBerry, Bronnie Stroud, Adam Webster
Narrows Navigators: Black Bear Evansdale, LLC, Dale & Carolyn McVicker, Anonymous, Peter Bernstein, Bill Fischer, Gregory Selasky, Janet Graul & Matt Moore, Jesika McEvoy, John Harvey, Ned Egan, Patrick Millham, Stephanie Davis & Keith Nolan, Stephen Campbell, Alicia Pingley, Anna & Josiah Leisher, Art & Erin Barket, Ben & Kendra Hogan, Bruce & Cynthia Wiley, Constance Miller, Everett Mulkeen, John Kobak, Kingwood Eagles AFOE #2391, Lisa Dailey, Mark Eakin, Martin Lackovic, Micah Gerasimovick, Michael & Linda Sharkey, Rachael & Paul Meininger, Roger Calhoun, Ryan Kuehn, Spring & Ken Kingsley, Steve Ingalls & Anne Kmieck, Caitlin Sullivan, Johnathan Myers, Ken Gfroerer
Confluence Crew: David Herron, George Street, Tom Licciardi, Jeremy Peterman, Joel Wolpert, Mike Jones, Mills Group LLC, Pete Johnson, Richard Cohen, Robert Alexander, Shawn Grushecky, Tom Williams, William Corley, Zach Fowler
Five Forks Friends: Kelly Collins, Tim Osborne & Julie O’Hagan, James Nardozzi, John Seeback, Judith Clister, Patricia Kelly, Charles & Lee Mullett, John & Terri Peaslee, Julio Scheufele, Keith Wade, Kenneth Ferris, Lova & Jason Jaros, Patrick Rivers, Roger Perry
Good Ole Friends: Jonah Smith, Adam Roh, Don Barth, Donna Morgan, JT Smith, Justin Stephens, Mark Healey, Mr. Ralph McGinnis, Nathan Terault, Paul Albin, Rebecca Durst, Andrew Gunnoe, Art Bertol, Bonnie Cupp, Charles Badger, Clover Wright, Dani Martin, David Hafera, Douglas Manning, Kate Leary, Kathryn Moran, Larry & Susan Miller, Lyndsie Barnes, Maya Mier-Thomas, Jim Snyder, R.S. Knight, Richard & Deborah Koonse, Monica Fronzaglio, Lee Maddex, Mike Strager, Aidan Rider, Christopher Lubic, Christopher Bauer, Garrett Tomblin, Jeff Macklin, Meaghan Faneuf, Mr. Steven Scheller, Rachel Morris
Swim Guide Donors: Adam Webster, Theo, Colette, Sera, & Nico Zegre
Whitewater Access Donors: Russell Bounds & Railey Realty, Vincent Fusco, William Durr, Bradley Nichols, Keel-Haulers Canoe Club, Thomas Hungar, David Maribo, Jeanne & Josh Kaufman, Jeff Macklin, Jeffrey & Sheila Berry, Kelly Miller & Brent Laubaugh, Stephanie Mosley, Todd Fedak, John Kobak, River House Lodge, John Rooke, Dave Bassage, David Hough & Cyndy Graves, David Montgomery, James Lunden, John O’Neill, Kelly & Keith Heasley, Larry Krall, Lynn Miller, Mike Bailey, Neal & Amy Dana, Peter Zurflieh, Ryan VanderKooy, Stephanie Steele, Travis Cowles, Wes Kungel, Daniel Cusick, Elizabeth Peace, Kevin Murphy, Peter Armbruster, William Kelleher, Jim Snyder, Blake Huber, Jim Murtha, Nori Onishi, John McClanahan, Donna Morgan, Martha Nelson, Brandon Borish, Kevin Hughes, Sabrina Zhou, Sarah Walker
2024 Whitewater Access Campaign
Help FOC raise $20,000 for Whitewater Access Maintenance in the Cheat Canyon and Cheat Narrows!
Annually, FOC raises funds to maintain safe access to the Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy take-out in Jenkinsburg, the Rockville area access road and parking lot, and now the Cheat Narrows “Caves” Put-In and Cheat River Trailhead public takeout.
Following heavy rainfall, FOC staffer Owen Mulkeen and Board Member Charlie Walbridge drove down Bull Run Road to Jenkinsburg to survey drainage issues. They found that largely the ditching was still effective, but a blocked culvert was causing some issues. And predictably, there was erosion at the switchback turn towards the end of the road. The challenges called for a rock hammer and heavy repairs.
Efforts at Bull Run Road are progressing. Pretzel Contracting is breaking up obstructions and enhancing the road with 300 tons gravel donated by the WV Highway Department, which is also providing a new culvert and removing a large fallen tree.
This work is only possible by donors like YOU. Big thanks to those who have already contributed, and for those who haven't, we welcome your support now! A $100 donation renews your FOC membership; $300 grants you Cheat Fest VIP status for 2024. Every donation counts. Donate online at: https://cheat.org/2024-whitewater-access-campaign/
2024 Cheat River Festival Event Information
Blackwater Named Among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® for 2024
The Blackwater River, West Virginia’s prized waterway renowned for its recreation opportunities and wildlife, joins the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2024.
The Blackwater River, a major tributary to the Cheat River, flows 34 miles through the High Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, draining 142 square miles. The Blackwater is fed by the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, Blackwater Falls State Park and Big Run Bog, a National Natural Landmark on the Monongahela National Forest. It is designated as a West Virginia Critical Resource Water for its exceptional ecological, recreational and aesthetic values. The river corridor is home to several endangered species and its integrity is critical for species migration resulting from climate change.
Community members and advocates are concerned with the current State-preferred route for Corridor H, a major four-lane highway project that has been in development since 1965. The current route would pass across a large former strip mine that has not been reclaimed, underlain with a honeycomb of mine tunnels that are filled with acid mine drainage pollution. FOC has submitted comments to WVDOH and the Federal Highway Administration focused on abandoned mine land related water quality issues. You can read our comments here: https://cheat.org/corridor-h-foc-submitted-comments/
American Rivers reviews nominations for America’s Most Endangered Rivers® from local groups and individuals across the country, and selects rivers based on three criteria:
- The river’s significance to people and wildlife
- The magnitude of the threat to the river and communities, especially in light of climate change and environmental injustice
- A decision in the next 12 months that the public can influence
View the full list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2024 at: https://mostendangeredrivers.org/
Tucker County Meet The Cheat at Blackwater Outdoor Adventures
*SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH – 10:00AM TO 7:00PM
Join FOC, the Upper Cheat River Water Trail Committee, and Blackwater Outdoors Adventures for the 2024 Tucker County Meet the Cheat! Participants will meet at Blackwater Outdoor Adventures (address is 60 Location Road, Parsons, WV 26287) by 10:00am for check in.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER – THOSE RENTING BOATS AND THOSE BRINGING THEIR OWN BOATS. Kayak and Canoe rentals are available at https://www.blackwateroutdooradventures.com/flatwater-rentals – please select 8 MILE – 10:00 AM slots. Kayak Rentals are $39 per person, and canoe and double kayak rentals are $69 per person $10 from each rental will go to the Cheat River Water Trail. Make a weekend out of it! Book a campsite at BOA for $8 a night here: https://www.blackwateroutdooradventures.com/camping.
Have your own boats? You’ll still need to register at https://cheatriverwatertrail.org/events/. Please drop your boats at the Holly Meadows put-in before parking at Blackwater Outdoor Adventures for shuttle. Carpooling is key – parking space is limited. Email Beth Warnick bwarnick@cheat.org or Lisa Maraffa at lisa@cheat.org with questions.
*Date is subject to change based on river levels - rain, however, will not delay this event. You’re gonna get wet anyway!