Canoeing:
Coal River
Description:
The Coal River is the main stem of this recently revitalized watershed. It begins in Alum Creek where the Little and Big Coal Rivers merge. It stretches about 19 miles to the Kanawha River in St. Albans. There are five access points for putting-in and taking out. A great deal of effort has gone into focusing on cleaning up this watershed and utilizing it as a resource for community and tourism. It is a great canoe fishing river with trophy Walleye being the prize catches. The Coal River is always canoeable due to its size and slow flow. There are two rapids on this section, Upper (at the town of Tornado) and Lower Falls (closer to St. Albans). These can be run by confident canoers, portaged or walked.
Directions:
The access points for the river are Lions Park (Google directions below), Meadowood Park 38.339444, -81.840355 , Coal River Bend 38.354476, -81.843807, Lower Falls 38.379540, -81.856871, & St. Albans Coal River Group 38.391354, -81.840123.
Activities:
Fishing, Canoeing
Web Resources:
Resources:
Books- "A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to West Virginia", "Paddling Virginia and West Virginia: A Guide to the Area's Greatest Paddling Adventures"