FSO Float on Banister River

November 5, 2016
10:00 AM - 10:00 AM

November 5, 2016
10am
King's Bridge Access 
1041 Bethel Rd., Halifax, VA (GPS 36.776946, -78.916697)

This event is free and open to the public. 

For its November 5 First Saturday Outing, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) will return to a section of the Banister River for the first time since 2007. Trip coordinator for the 6.2-mile float from King’s Bridge Landing (US Highway 501) to Terry’s Bridge (US Highway 360) is Halifax town manager Carl Espy, avid paddler and former DRBA board member.

Participants will meet at King’s Bridge Landing, 1041 Bethel Road, Halifax, VA, GPS (36.776946, -78.916697), at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, to set the shuttle and begin the float. Directions may be obtained at http://www.danriver.org/interactive-map.

Espy comments, “We’ve had a great deal of interest in and use of [King’s Bridge Landing] since it opened in April 2015.”  Although facilities at the take-out are not yet developed to the same degree, Espy’s opinion is that “the sandy/muddy embankment at Terry’s Bridge shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for DRBA’s outing.”

A short video of the King’s Bridge Landing wayside and launch, taken at the 2015 Wild Blue River Festival, can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/wildblueriverfestival/.

For a century this section of the Banister River was plied by flat-bottomed batteaux, the “semi-trailers” of nineteenth century river travel.  “If the water is low and clear, you’ll be able to see the remains of nineteenth century batteau sluices and many other interesting features,” says Espy.

 “This particular section of the river,” he continues, “has sparked a great deal of interest with local historians, area planners, naturalists and a variety of state agencies because of its rich historic, cultural and natural features,” including what The Dan River Atlas  terms  “some of the best preserved batteau sluices in Virginia.” 

Participants are asked to meet at 10:00 a. m. at King’s Bridge Landing, 1041 Bethel Road, Halifax, VA, GPS (36.776946, -78.916697),  on the west side of Virginia Scenic Byway 360 just north of downtown Halifax, VA. Dress in synthetic fabric, be prepared to get wet, and bring boat, paddles, life jacket for each boater, lunch, and water.  Although the trip is not technically demanding or hazardous, all boaters will be asked to sign a waiver.

To reach the put-in from US 58 at South Boston, VA, turn north on US 501. Continue 1.4 miles onto Broad Street, which becomes Wilborn Avenue. Drive 0.5 mile, then continue 4.6 miles onto US 501/Halifax Road, which becomes Main Street in the Town of Halifax. When US 501 turns left, continue straight onto Bethel Road (VA 360) for 0.2 mile to landing.

All First Saturday Outings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public.

For further information about the trip, contact Carl Espy, 434-470-1424, espy4@mindspring.com.