Canoeing:
South Branch of the Potomac (Romney to the Potomac River)
Description:
The South Branch of the Potomac River flows from the ridge and valley area of Pendleton County north through the Eastern Panhandle of the state and meets with the North Branch to create the Potomac River. Along the way, it flows through Franklin, Petersburg, Moorefield and Romney before reaching the Potomac. The canoeing sections of the South Branch that run from Petersburg to the Potomac River total 75 miles. Overall, this is a popular float/fishing river that meanders through mostly pastoral settings. The 3 northerly sections are easier water for canoeing and are listed below. The 2 sections from Petersburg to Sector are listed in the Whitewater category in this guide.
Sections:
Sector to Romney
- 13 miles, Class I
- River Level - 1.8 ft + at the Springfield Gauge
- Put-In: Trough General Store. 39.227951, -78.852410, Take-Out. Rt. 28/50 bridge 39.339254, -78.775927
Romney to Blue Beach
- 10 miles, Class A-I
- River Level - runnable all year. Springfield Gauge
- Put-In: Rt. 28/50 bridge 39.339254, -78.775927, Take-Out: Blue Beach bridge 39.427850, -78.714644
Blue Beach to Milleson's Mill Bridge
- 11 miles, Class A-I
- River Level - runnable all year. Springfield Gauge
- Put-In: Blue Beach bridge. 39.427850, -78.714644 Take-Out: Milleson's Mill bridge 39.509810, -78.600319
- 9 miles, Class A-I
- River Level - runnable all year. Springfield Gauge
- Put-In: Milleson's Mill bridge. 39.509810, -78.600319 Take-Out: Indian Rocks. 39.448091, -78.653462
Directions:
The South Branch River is located in Eastern West Virginia, flowing across the panhandle. Google directions below are to Romney. See the GPS coordinates on the specific sections above for other put-in and take-out locations.
Activities:
Fishing, Canoeing
Resources:
Books- "A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to West Virginia", "Paddling Virginia and West Virginia: A Guide to the Area's Greatest Paddling Adventures"