Bluestone National Scenic River
| Bluestone National Scenic River | |
| National Scenic River | |
 Bluestone Gorge near the upstream end of the National Scenic River section. | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | West Virginia |
| Counties | Mercer, Summers |
| Elevation | 1,637 ft (499.0 m) [1] |
| Coordinates | 37°32′30″N 80°59′57″W / 37.54167°N 80.99917°WCoordinates: 37°32′30″N 80°59′57″W / 37.54167°N 80.99917°W |
| Lowest point | Bluestone River |
| Established | 1988 |
| Management | New River Gorge National River |
| Owner | National Park Service |
| Nearest city | Hinton, West Virginia |
  Location of Bluestone National Scenic River in West Virginia
| |
| Website: Bluestone National Scenic River | |
The Bluestone National Scenic River protects a 10.5-mile (16.9 km) section of the Bluestone River in Summers and Mercer counties of southern West Virginia. It was created 26 October 1988 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and is protected by the National Park Service.
Our nation’s Wild and Scenic Rivers System was established for the purpose of protecting for the present, and preserving for the future, undeveloped, free-flowing rivers that possess “Outstandingly Remarkable” scenic, natural, cultural, geological and recreational values. Currently one hundred fifty six entire rivers or sections of rivers are protected under this system of publicly owned water resources.
A section of Bluestone NSR is also protected by the West Virginia State Park System within Pipestem Resort State Park, and the remaining portion is also utilized as a West Virginia Wildlife Management Area.
Geology
The Bluestone River and the rugged gorge it has carved is a richly diverse and scenic area of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Time spent in thoughtful solitude along this little mountain river offers the visitor a vestige of primitive America. There are over a thousand species of plants growing in several diverse Appalachian forest habitat types. Two hundred species of birds have been spotted in the park. The Bluestone also provides excellent areas for watching many mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect species. The riverbed habitat is alive with a carpet of macro-invertebrate aquatic species, and supports healthy populations of many warm water game and non-game fishes. The Bluestone River is classified as a High Quality Warm Water Stream by the state of West Virginia.
The headwaters of the Bluestone River begin at an elevation of 3500 feet on East River Mountain near Bluefield, Virginia and flow for 77 miles to Bluestone Lake near Hinton, West Virginia at 1409 feet.
History
American Indians called the river “Momongosenka” (Big Stone River) supposedly inspired by their travels along ancient pathways through the boulder strewn lower gorge. Many native prehistoric sites; from nomadic Paleo-Indian hunting camps dating back to the times of Ice -Age mammoth and mastodon, through hundreds of generations of village and burial sites of the Archaic and Woodland cultures, to the Delaware, Cherokee and Shawnee tribes of the 17th and 18th century, have been documented throughout the Bluestone River watershed.
In the mid 18th century European and African peoples began to explore and establish subsistence homesteads along the river. Settlers at the rivers headwaters, in present day Tazewell County, Virginia named the river Bluestone for the waters course over the blue limestone streambed. At the confluence of the Bluestone and Little Bluestone Rivers in the NSR near Bluestone State Park, the lost community of Lilly once flourished before its condemnation and removal prior to the construction of Bluestone Dam. The Bluestone Turnpike a riverbank road that evolved from the original Indian trail through the gorge, was used by those who farmed and timbered the area until the 1940s, and still serves today as the main trail access for park visitors.
The 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Wild and Scenic River System in October, 2008, saw the Bluestone National Scenic River chosen by the Department of the Interior as host and representative of the system for the official celebration of this landmark act of American environmental preservation.
Recreation and access
Because Bluestone National Scenic River lies in a deep gorge with no immediate road access, getting to the area can be challenging. The best means of access is at its ends. At the downstream end, guests can enter through Bluestone State Park. At the upstream end, visitors can ride the seasonal aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park to access the bottom of the gorge.
A hiking trail, the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, runs the length of the National Scenic River at the bottom of Bluestone Gorge.[2] There are limited opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, with the spring paddling season is most likely to provide adequate water levels. The Pipestem Tram will transport canoes and kayaks as well as bicycles for an additional charge.
Fishing is a popular activity along the Bluestone, with game fish such as smallmouth bass and bluegill being favored in the area.[3] Hunting is also permitted in Bluestone Gorge; visitors should wear appropriate blaze orange clothing during hunting seasons.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ "Bluestone National Scenic River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. March 16, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2000. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Bluestone National Scenic River: Hiking". National Park Service. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ↑ "Bluestone National Scenic River: Fishing". National Park Service. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
- ↑ "Bluestone National Scenic River: Hunting". National Park Service. Retrieved March 16, 2010.