Roanoke River Blueway

Roanoke River Currents Conference Friday October 9, 2015 Ferrum College

Shane Sawyer, Regional Planner - Alleghany Regional Commission

Roanoke River Blueway www.roanokeriverblueway.org

What is a blueway?

A blueway is a navigable waterway with:  sufficient capacity (flow, depth, and width) for successful progress of canoes, kayaks, and other non-motorized vessels; and with sufficient access and amenities to facilitate other recreational uses of the waterway (tubing, fishing, wildlife viewing, wading, watershed awareness, etc.)  often used interchangeably with water trail, float trail, or paddle trail

Blueway Uses and Activities

 paddling (canoe, kayak)  fishing  tubing  wading  wildlife viewing  historic resources  watershed awareness and education  other?

Roanoke River Blueway

 East Montgomery County Park (South Fork Roanoke River) to (DGIF boating access at Hardy Road/634)  approximately 45 river miles  15 designated access points (additional planned)  flows through or borders 7 separate jurisdictions - cities of Roanoke and Salem, counties of Montgomery, Roanoke, Bedford, and Franklin, and Town of Vinton  includes sections of the South Fork Roanoke River, Roanoke River, Tinker Creek, and Back Creek  flatwater, rapids (class I & II), and lake  urban and backcountry settings

Roanoke River Blueway - Opportunities  location in urban area (potential users, ease of access to river and services, time, visibility)  numerous float options (duration, setting, access, experience, age, type of boat/float, activities, water level  proximity and access to other amenities (outfitters, restaurants, parks, greenways, convenience stores, restrooms, etc.)  coordination with Roanoke Valley Greenway  outdoors and recreation marketing  economic development  quality of life  watershed awareness and stewardship

Roanoke River Blueway - Challenges

 streamflow - varies considerably based primarily on meteorological events and to a lesser extent on seasonality  impediments/barriers – low water bridges, Niagara Dam  limited on ground blueway related (and oriented) information, signage, wayfinding, etc.  limited overnight camping  Limited awareness of blueway opportunities (locals and visitors)  water quality and recreational use issues (real and perceived)  others?

Blueway Progress

 Roanoke River Blueway Stakeholder Committee  website  social media  mapping (interactive and printable)  river access –new and improved  dedicated funding  media and stakeholder interest

Progress - Stakeholder Committee

 City of Roanoke  RoanokeOutside  City of Salem  Roanoke Mountain Adventures  Franklin County  Float Fishermen of  Montgomery County  Friends of the Rivers of Virginia  Roanoke County  Friends of the Blue Ridge  Town of Vinton Parkway  Roanoke Valley Alleghany-  Upper Roanoke River Regional Commission Roundtable  Roanoke Valley Greenways  Creek Freak Paddlers of Franklin  National Park Service County VA   Back Country Ski & Sport AEP  Clean Valley Council

Progress - Mapping

Progress – Access Points

 access improvements and/or additional access points  Niagara Dam portage improvements (completed)  Tinker Creek 3rd Street access improvements (completed)  Blueway Ridge Parkway Roanoke River Overlook trail (in progress)  The Bridges (planned/in progress)  Back Creek /Jae Valley Rd.(former Sun Valley property) (in progress) Progress – Access Points Progress – Funding

 local governments have agreed to allocate funding for Roanoke River Blueway development and promotion for a 5 year period  grant match  special events  signage and wayfinding  marketing and promotion  other stakeholder funding (Greenway Commission, Regional Commission, etc.)  donations

Local Outfitter Feedback

 Roanoke Mountain Adventures  Different river sections provided for use of blueway throughout summer and lower water levels  75% local blueway users, 25% visitors  Numerous trip options – full day, short excursions, range of experience/skill levels)  Symbiotic relationship with Roanoke River Greenway (access, visibility)  In general rent more kayaks, but more tubes during lower water levels and softball tournaments; also paddle boards for section

Local Outfitter Feedback

 Challenges – water level (low and high), Smith Park low water bridge, water quality (perceptions, locals vs. visitors)  Needs – more river clean ups, overnight accommodations (camping), branding/promotion

Next Steps  Roanoke River Blueway website and Facebook updates  continue to convene the Roanoke River Blueway Stakeholder Committee to guide Blueway development and promotion  assist local governments in development of Blueway- related amenities and activities  seek funding and related assistance for blueway efforts (in-kind, pro-bono, sponsorship, grants, special events)  signage, website, mapping, promotion, access improvements, etc.  coordination with Roanoke River Greenway  historic resources mapping and documentation  Suggestions?

Next Steps  Franklin County Blueways Assistance  Provide assistance to Franklin County Parks and Recreation  Pigg River  Black Water River  Smith Mountain Lake  Mapping  Website updates

How Can You Help?

 review the Roanoke River Blueway website, mapping, and resources  provide feedback, comments, information, etc.  “Like” the Roanoke River Blueway Facebook page  Donate to the Blueway – donations are tax deductable  send blueway related photos for use on website, Facebook, and other media  enjoy the Roanoke River Blueway!

Questions or Comments?

Shane Sawyer, Regional Planner III Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission phone: 540.343.4417 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

www.roanokeriverblueway.org