Roanoke River Blueway

Roanoke River Blueway Roanoke River Currents Conference Friday October 9, 2015 Ferrum College Shane Sawyer, Regional Planner Roanoke Valley - 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 Smith Mountain Lake (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 City of Salem Franklin County Montgomery County Roanoke County Town of Vinton Roanoke Valley Alleghany- Regional Commission Roanoke Valley Greenways National Park Service Back Country Ski & Sport Clean Valley Council RoanokeOutside Roanoke Mountain Adventures Float Fishermen of Virginia Friends of the Rivers of Virginia Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway Upper Roanoke River Roundtable Creek Freak Paddlers of Franklin County VA AEP

Progress - Mapping

Progress Access Points access improvements and/or additional access points Niagara Dam portage improvements (completed) Tinker Creek 3 rd 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 Explore Park 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 Bluewayrelated 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: ssawyer@rvarc.org or roanokeriverblueway@gmail.com www.roanokeriverblueway.org