130506 UR Buggs Island to Beechwood Flats

Buggs Island - Beechwood Flats Water Trail
US Army Corps
of Engineers
John H. Kerr Tailrace Park - Buggs Island
R
UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES....... of Grandfather Rock and the Southern Bald Eagle, this unique water trail stands as a
reminder to past life along the Roanoke River. For thousands of years many indigenous communities were dotted along its shoreline. The river was
known as the “Moratuc - River of Death” in reference to its frequent and unpredictable flooding. It also boasts one of the most densely populated
habitats of the Southern Bald Eagle in the Piedmont.
V i r g i n i a
85
John H. Kerr Lake
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
4
710
North
Bend Park
711
Dick Cross WMA, formerly known as “Elm Hill,” was
once the home of Sir Peyton Skipwith in the late
1790’s. He lived there until his mansion,
“Prestwould,” was built near Clarksville, VA.
1
1 mi. to Buoy # 25
Cr
tton
YOU ARE HERE
Co
# 25
Liberty Hill
ee
k
Hardage Flats
US-1
1 mi.
K
# 28
# 29
M
Lake Gaston
N
903
# 26
cut A
O
Beechwood Flats
ek
lat
L
1 mi.
Redlawn Rd. Access
1 mi.
903 Access
3 mi.
2 mi.
V i r g i n i a
Castle
Heights
I
615
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Miles Creek
4 mi.
4
J
Redlawn Rd.
Allens Creek Access
1
2 mi.
2 mi.
1/2
Dick Cross WMA
615
1 mi.
2 mi.
Tailrace Park
G
Creek
0 mi.
e
Cr
F
0
H
1 mi.
B
F
# 30
cut B
C
Elm Hill
# 31
G
's
len
This is an easy 5 mile paddle along flat water. Float
time is dependent on water releases from the dam
but should only take 3-4 hours with no flow. An easy
loop trail can take you around Buggs Island.
Steel Bridge Landing
# 27
ren
t
D
# 32
1.7 mi.
cur
A
Buggs
Island
E
Al
“Grandfather Rock,” just a bit downstream, is a
granite outcrop that demonstrates the solid geology
of why Kerr Dam was built at its current location.
Buggs Island, named for its pioneer owner Sam
Bugg and located just below the dam, is now a 164
acre wildlife sanctuary that serves as a buffer
between Kerr Dam and Dick Cross Wildlife
Management Area (WMA).
Historic
John H. Kerr Dam, completed in 1952 for flood
control and named for a NC Congressman,
separates Kerr Reservoir (also known as Buggs
Island Lake) from Lake Gaston. The area just
below the dam is known as “tailwaters” or “tailrace,”
the depth of which changes rapidly depending
upon the amount of water released for
hydroelectric power generation.
To learn more please contact www.upperreach.org.
1
North
Scale in Miles
Key to Points of Interest
Kerr Dam Generation Schedule 434-738-6371
A
John H. Kerr Visitor Center
F Elm Hill Plantation (ca. 1800)
K Site of Historic Alexander's Ferry
B
Tanner Environmental Education Center
G Grandfather Rock
L Waterfowl Impoundment
C
John H. Kerr Dam
H Allen's Creek Mouth
D
Liberty Hill Nature Trail and
Old Cemetery
I
Atlantic & Danville RR - Antler's
to Elm Hill Spur Bridge (ca. 1940's)
M (ca. 1819)
E
Buggs Island
J
Atlantic & Danville RR- Antler's
to Elm Hill Spur Trestle (ca. 1940's)
Water Trails - primary
Buoys (numbered by mileage)
Public Lands
Steel Bridge Boat Landing and
Site of Historic Town of Tazewell
N Site of Goode's Ferry Bridge
and Historic Town of Whitby (ca. 1819)
O Beechwood Flats
Warning: Flood conditions can create swift currents, snags and
floating debris. Dams and ledges can harbor dangerous
hydraulics. Exercise caution and always wear Personal
Flotation Devices! See upperreach.org Trail Wiki for details.