Into the Canyon - Newsletter of Friends of the Cheat Spring 2025
Board of Directors and Key Personnel
Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director; Owen Mulkeen, Associate Director; Madison Ball, Conservation Program Director; Garrett Richardson, Project Coordinator; Maggie Biss, Conservation Technician; Beth Warnick, Media and Outreach Specialist; Lisa Maraffa, Program Assistant and Events Producer, Stephen Estrada, Bookkeeper
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, Tess Meinert
Securing River Access: 2025 FOC Whitewater Access Campaign
Since 2006, Friends of the Cheat has developed and maintained access to the Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy Rivers in Albright, Rockville, and Jenkinsburg through our Whitewater Access program. Our sustained efforts have resulted in the West Virginia Department of Highways making additional major improvements to Masontown and Bruceton Mills access roads this year. The roads are in the best condition they have been in years, which allowed FOC to pivot fundraising for a unique opportunity: the purchase of “The Caves/YaYa’s Landing” property along the Cheat River Narrows.
“The Caves” put-in, an access site long used by private boaters and commercial outfitters, is 1.1 miles up-river from the “Driveway” put-In, and adds 3 fun rapids to a Cheat Narrows paddle. Purchasing and owning the property is vital for protecting this popular public river access, and would enable FOC to pursue funding and grants to increase parking, improve the river access, and install traffic-calming measures to improve safety along this section of Route 72. Paddlers familiar with this section of the Narrows know how stressful it can be when unloading boats and humans along the narrow scenic byway.
In 2023, FOC began working with long-time supporters, Arkley Forestlands LLC, on a plan that would result in the donation of the actual Caves property, with the option of purchasing the property adjacent, which includes the put-in. The donation of property from Arkley Forestlands LLC was finalized in early March, 2025. In honor of the family’s mother, the access site will also be known as “YaYa’s Landing.” FOC is grateful for the generosity and continued support from Arkley Forestlands LLC and the Clark family.
FOC is committed to improving this prized section of river over the next few years to make it one of the more user-friendly access points in West Virginia.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals, paddling groups, businesses, and community supporters, Friends of the Cheat will now be able to complete the purchase of the property later this year.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
Cheat Watershed Sponsors:Walbridge Family Foundation, Charlie Walbridge, Margaret Walbridge, Patrick & Lisa Ward, Tom & Hope Covey, Robert Uram, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, Scott & Maureen Patton, Szilagyi Family Foundation, Mykl Messer & Terri Brink, Douglas & Carol Milam
Cheat River Sponsors: The Reed Foundation, Healthberry Farm
Stream Stewards: Joe Sinsheimer & Toddi Steelman, John & Emy Hinnant, Don & Susan Sauter, David Brisell, Keel-Haulers Canoe Club, Bill & Megan Carlson, Fred & Kim Wright, James Scott, The Oakland Foundation, Robert Moore, Judith Cronauer & Gerard Lechowick, Eric & Sara Henrickson, J.L. Pretzel Contracting LLC, Bronnie Stroud, Gregory Moser, Giles Wright, Rod Cavanaugh, Kim & Fred Wright, Constance Miller, John Williams, John Kobak, John Guiilfoose & Leah Holloran, Randy Robinson, Heather Lukacs & Kyle Doerksen, Anne Kibler, William Durr, Jesika McEvoy & John Cook, Danny Siger, Jennifer Sass and Mike Graham, Jodie Jackson & Strat Douglas
For the period January 1, 2025 through March 31, 2025
Canyon Contributors:Tyler Mayhew & Mary Luckini, John Harvey, David Thorne, Jay Mullen, Keith Strausbaugh & Ann Morrow, Frank Jernejcic & Martha Korona, Timothy & Connie DeBerry, Joseph & Lois Knecht
Narrows Navigators:Anonymous, Peter Bernstein, Allan & Millie Karlin, Christine & Dave Brophy, Rachel & Paul Meininger, Ewanna Wiley, Judith & Joe Knisely, Glen Schermerhorn, Robert Harrison, Justin & Joelle Cameron, Jody Sutton, Earl Baer, David Hough & Cyndy Graves, Lisa Hyre, Steve Ingalls & Anne Kmieck, Frederick Williams, R. Brent Bailey, Bruce & Cynthia Wiley, Bret Rosenblum & Susan Rogers, Bob Gedekoh, Kenneth Gfroerer, Ryan Kuehn, Kingwood Eagles AFOE #2391, Janet Graul & Matt Moore, Martin Lackovic, Beth & Larry Reseter, Andrew Matheny, Johnathan Myers
Confluence Crew:Alan Simms, Michael Kalanick, Ms. Barbara Congemi, Susan Gordon, Richard Hopley, Shawn Grushecky, Zachariah Fowler, Jeremy Peterman, Nancy Abrams & Stan Einzig, Jon Zeidler, Charlie Wade, Kelly Collins
Five Forks Friends:Rebecca Durst, Alexandra Coffman, Andrew Gunnoe, Art Bertol, Austin Barrington, Beth Meininger, Charles Badger, Colleen & Daniel Caldwell, Dan Gelman, Danielle Martin, Derek Rusinek, Donna Morgan, James E Snyder, Joshua Koehler, Kathryn Moran, Kevin Hughes, Lee Salter, N. Jane Cullison, Nathan Terault, Rachael Taylor, Sam Golston, William & Laura Fischer, William Eveland, Anne Sroka, Barbara Brown, Christopher Bauer, Doug Wood, Garrett Tomblin,, Janet Ady, Jeff Macklin, Jesse Deptula, Joellyn Miller, Marion Kee, Mark Barger, Paul Albin, Paul Chipps, Stephanie Hamilton
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
Whitewater Access Donors: Charlie Walbridge, Aaron Strain, Adam Johnson, Andy Maraffa, Bill Pennington, Blaise Hollot, Brent Steadman, Charles Kirby, Daniel Cusick, Dave Bassage, David & Phyllis Kuklinski, David Hough & Cyndy Graves, David Maribo, David Montgomery, Douglas & Margaret Richardson, Elizabeth Stearns, Eric Brooks, Erik Ordos, Fern & Rita Mulkeen, Gerald Andy, James Hunt, Jay Mullen, Jeff Macklin, Jennifer Franko, Jesse Fallon, John Jeffries, John Rooke, Kaje's Cord and Crafts, Kara & John Weld, Katherine Smyth, Kathy DeWitt, Katrina Weyland, Kealy Daye, Keith Strausbaugh & Ann Morrow, Kelly Meyers, Kelly Talbot, Kristen Maag, Krystyn Trister, Larry Krall, Lillian Schermerhorn, Louis Winkler, Lova & Jason Jaros, Mark & Julie Schooley, Michael McMillian, Mike Bailey, Neal & Amy Dana, Peter Armbruster, Peter Bernstein, Peter Rush, Randy McQueen, Rebecca Reynolds, Rhys Gerholdt, River House Lodge, Ruth & Douglas Willenborg, Scot Holliday, Scott & Terry Stough, Sean Trench, Steve Hoffman, Steve, Scarborough, Timothy Miller, Vickie Jenkins, Wallace Venable, William Kelleher
Thank you to our Cheat Fest Sponsors!
Meet Stephen Estrada: FOC’s New Staff Bookkeeper
Stephen was born and raised near Kansas City, KS. His father and mother fostered an appreciation for waterways during their fishing trips throughout Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Kansas, work brought him to Utah, where he worked in the financial services and healthcare fields.
Who/What had the most influence on you growing up?
My family had the biggest influence on appreciating the environment. Family canoeing and camping trips along the Niangua river were some of the most formative experiences growing up. Also, I’ll never forget our Griswold style summer vacation to North Carolina’s rivers and lakes. That was the first time I saw “real mountains”
Where’s your favorite place in the world outside of WV?
My favorite place outside of West Virginia so far is the Snake River in Wyoming. I met my wife while we were kayaking the Alpine Canyon section of the Snake, so it will always hold an extra special place in my heart.
What are you passionate about?
My love for outdoor recreation solidified during my time living and working throughout Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, where I developed a lasting passion for whitewater kayaking. That passion grew into a broader commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly the protection of clean water and the preservation of outdoor recreational spaces. I believe strongly that access to clean waterways is essential—not just for paddlers, but for the health and well-being of entire communities.
How do you recharge?
When I’m not managing spreadsheets, I like to shred some waves on a local gnarrows or canyon run! You can also find me biking with the family along Deckers Creek Trail or climbing out at Coopers Rock.
What drew you to Friends of the Cheat?
I was drawn to FOC after meeting and paddling with local boaters, and then attending Cheat Fest in 2023. I think incredible work has been done to bring the Cheat back to life, and I want to be involved with the continuation of promoting and restoring the Cheat watershed.
What else would you like us to know about you?
I’m a relative newcomer to West Virginia. My wife is from WV, and we decided to move from Utah to Morgantown in 2022 to be closer to her side of the family after our daughter was born.
Forging Flood Resilience with FLASH
Earlier this year, our friends and partners with the WVU Mountain Hydrology Laboratory and the Center for Resilient Communities received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the FLASH Initiative, which stands for Flooding in Appalachian Streams and Headwaters. The initiative aims to work with communities to mitigate the impacts of heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the Appalachian Region.
Early on in the planning of the proposal, Friends of the Cheat was identified as a key partner to support engagement with local communities and private landowners who have experienced the impacts of flooding in our watershed. A portion of the NSF grant funds will enable our organization to participate in the initiative.
This spring, we met with the FLASH team to tour the watershed and discuss the impacts of flooding and recent, historical, and, importantly, future flooding. Just in the last year alone, the flow of the Cheat River, as measured by the gauge in Albright, has swung from a historic low of 37 cubic feet per second (cfs) up to 45,500 cfs. This clear evidence illustrates the wide variation of conditions in Cheat and its river communities. During the tour, the team visited Muddy Creek, Albright, the Cheat River Trailhead, the mouth of Lick Run, Rowlesburg, and Parsons.
On our road trip along the river, we observed where the 1985 flood path roiled through Albright. We noted that a recent discovery of a historical map of Albright from 1947 indicated that a similar devastating flood occurred here in 1888.
We also stopped in Rowlesburg and noted the remains of flood debris in the river, still unextractable, from the flood of 1985. As we pondered how we could help communities adapt better for future floods, we also observed our trees growing tall along the riparian area in Rowlesburg, helping keep the river bank in place and providing shade to visitors recreating in the river. A small win!
Finally, we visited Parsons, where the Cheat River forms as the Shavers Fork and Black Fork meet. The water was low and clear, and the sky was robin’s egg blue as we looked over the Hoy Roy Memorial Bridge on the Shavers Fork, making it hard to imagine how different this area looked in November of 1985. The plaques commemorating the 1985 flood height in Rowlesburg and the Arc Memorial in Parsons pulled us back to reality. They are stark reminders of the river’s ability to transform into a powerful and destructive force.
The challenge before us now is to work with communities and with the river to improve conditions for all when, not if, the next flood comes. Like most of our work, FOC enjoys a good challenge. We look forward to this opportunity to work collaboratively to chart the course for future flood resilience in the Cheat.