Chesapeake Water Trails

C H E S A P E A K E WAT E R T R A I L S
A V
ISION
(as of September 2000)
Adventure Marine, Ltd.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg
Canoe Susquehanna
Central Susquehanna River Trail
Association
Chesapeake Paddlers Association
City of Baltimore, Department of
Planning
Endless Mountains Resource
Conservation and Development
District
Chesapeake Bay Program
Friends of the North Fork
Shenandoah River
Great Eastern Map and Tour
Maryland Department of Natural
Resources
Mathews County Blueways
Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers
Association
Nanticoke Watershed Alliance
National Park Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
North American Water Trails, Inc.
Old Harford Town Maritime Center
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission
Potomac Water Trail Association
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation
Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Organizations
Participating in
Chesapeake
Water Trails
Waterways have been used for thousands
of years, first as exploration routes then as
navigational channels for goods and people.
They were also important for subsistence
and survival. Many of these same historic
routes are now valued destinations for
boating, camping, fishing, and other
activities. As our population increases and
opportunities for quality outdoor recreation
decrease, the value of water trails rise
dramatically.
David R. Getchell, Sr., author of Modern
Water Trails defines today’s water trail as a
“recreational waterway on a lake, river, or
ocean between specific points, containing
access points and day use and/or camping
sites for the boating public.” Water trails
may be open to motorized as well as nonmotorized boats. An important ingredient of
the modern water trail is an ethic of lowimpact use and personal stewardship of the
associated lands and waters. The benefits of
For information on water trail
planning in the Chesapeake
region contact:
such trails extend far beyond recreation to
include environmental restoration efforts,
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
717-236-8825
blenker@acb-online.org
quality of life and personal wellness. Trail
National Park Service
1-800-YOURBAY (968-7229)
www.chesapeakebay.net
educational materials nurture a citizenry
North American Water Trails, Inc.
202-232-8350
torngat@tidewater.net
about THEIR watershed.
guides, discovery trips, volunteerism, and
that will be more aware and knowledgeable
C H E S A P E A K E WAT E R T R A I L S :
A VISION
The region comprised of Washington,
D.C. and portions of Delaware,
Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania,
Virginia and West Virginia, form the
64,000 square mile
Chesapeake Bay
watershed. With
over 100,000 miles
of streams dissecting
the Chesapeake
basin, water trail
opportunities are
virtually limitless.
The Bay’s 11,684
miles of shoreline
offers diverse coastal
habitats to explore.
The enduring legacy
of people, cultural patterns and their
expressions on the landscape further
enhance the Chesapeake region.
The ongoing efforts with the Bay to
restore and protect water quality and
living resources – goals of the Chesapeake
Bay Program – will benefit substantially
from a system of water trails. Through
the development and use of Chesapeake
Bay water trails, residents and visitors
alike will become more aware of the
many important resources and experience the connection between land
and the Bay’s health becoming better
stewards. Extending far beyond traditional recreational opportunities, water
trails serve the vital role of educating
citizens through experiential learning
Aerial view of
freshwater marshes
along Occupacia
Creek near its
confluence with the
middle Rappahannock
River, Virginia.
(Photograph by Dwight
Dyke courtesy of MPRA,
Inc.)
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to emphasize the importance of
resource conservation and restoration
of degraded environments.
A lone kayaker enjoys
the meandering
waterways and tidal
marshes among the
Catlett Islands of the
lower York River,
Virginia. (Photograph by
Dwight Dyke courtesy of
MPRA, Inc.)
The North American Water Trails
Conference and Chesapeake Water
Trails Workshop, held October 10-13,
1998 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia,
offered the initial opportunity to shape
the future of water trails in the Chesapeake region. For three and a half days
participants enjoyed field trips, panel
discussions, inspiring speeches and the
benefits of networking with colleagues.
During an intensive Chesapeake
visioning session, focus groups
comprised of participants representing
organizations around the watershed
responded to key questions regarding
water trails.
t How do you envision water trails in the
Chesapeake Region?
t What are the needs of those who build
water trails?
t What roles are important? How should
water trail activities be coordinated?
Shortly after the water trail conference,
the U.S. Congress enacted the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998
directing the National Park Service to
coordinate development of a network of
water trails and gateways to the Chesapeake Bay. The resulting Chesapeake
Bay Gateways Network recognizes the
growing interest in water trails as well
as the special places and stories associated with the Bay region. Water trails
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are emphasized as key physical and
interpretive connections from the Bay to
its tributaries and upper reaches of the
watershed. This developing Network
will be guided by the Gateways Framework and facilitated through a technical
assistance and grants program.
The vision for Chesapeake water trails –
articulated by knowledgeable and
experienced water trail advocates in
combination with the Framework
formulated by Chesapeake Bay Program
Partners – will establish a blueprint for
the emerging network of water trails.
THE VISION
A network of water-based trails
throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries that offers
a variety of lowimpact, paddling
experiences;
connects people –
physical, visual, and
spiritual – to the
natural, cultural, and
historic resources
of the Bay; offers
invaluable experiences to the diverse
people who live, work, and play in the
watershed; teaches stewardship and the
importance of sustaining resources for
future generations; provides opportunities for habitat continuity through
collaborative management; and fosters
partnerships at all levels enriching environment and the quality of life.
Youth from the
Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania Inner
City Outings Program
enjoy fishing along the
Susquehanna River
Trail. (Photograph
courtesy of Pat Reilly)
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THE MISSION
To establish interconnected water trails
and important resource areas within the
Chesapeake watershed through local
grassroots initiatives coordinated across
jurisdictional boundaries in the creation,
management, and promotion of
individual trail components.
THE GOALS
t Enhance access for all people
Accommodate the needs to discover,
experience, and understand the Bay
and its resources through Identification and development of access
points, landings, and overnight areas
Participants of the
“Second Annual
t Provide opportunities for outdoor
recreation and education
‘Rivah’ Run” paddling
event enjoy Maryland’s
Martinak State Park on
the upper Choptank
River. (Photograph
courtesy of Carl W.
Scheffel, Jr.)
Promote a broad range of uses,
activities, and programs to accommodate the interests of the diverse
population that live, work, and play
within the Chesapeake watershed.
t Increase public
awareness of the
Chesapeake Bay
and related
resources
To know is to value –
to value is to protect.
Teach about the
natural, cultural, and
historic resources.
Encourage lifestyles
and actions that sustain resources
for future generations.
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t Foster a strong commitment for
resource stewardship
Inhabit and manage the watershed
in a sustainable manner to safeguard
the life supporting capacity of
the environment while providing
for economic health, resource
protection, civic participation and
quality of life.
Late-fall kayaking on
the Mattaponi River
near its confluence
with Herring Creek,
Virginia. (Photograph by
Dwight Dyke courtesy of
MPRA, Inc.)
CHESAPEAKE
W AT E R T R A I L S
Chesapeake Bay water trails offer access
to the Bay, its tributaries, and contiguous
shoreline areas. Water trails create
recreational and experiential connections between land and water and
provide access to important cultural,
historical, and natural sites. The many
stories of the Bay’s rich environment
may be conveyed using key “overarching” themes developed through the
Chesapeake Bay
Gateways Network.
Environmental
C H E S A P E A K E B AY
awareness and
G AT E WAY S N E T W O R K
stewardship is
OVERARCHING THEMES
promoted through
• Interconnectedness of water,
interpretation,
place, nature and people
materials, volunteer
• Interdependence of Bay’s
opportunities, and
resources sustaining people
user education.
and people’s actions sustaining
Informational
the Bay
publications describe
individual water
• Knowledge and mystery
trails and the
surround the Bay’s waters
and tributaries inspiring art,
relationship to the
literature, poetry and song
Chesapeake Bay
watershed.
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Entice, Encounter, Engage!
From whitewater to tidewater, the
Chesapeake watershed offers a tremendous diversity of opportunities for water
trail development.
Paddlers stop for a
lunch break at the site
of an old hunting lodge
on South Marsh Island
located in Tangier
Sound, Maryland.
(Photograph courtesy of
Nita Settina)
Whether an urban trail with an historical
theme or a wilderness trail highlighting
the natural environment, these trails
share common attributes that entice
people to explore waterways, encounter
the resource through learning, and
engage them in its stewardship.
Trail infrastructure – signage,
trail guides,
access points,
campsites, and
day use sites –
are unique to
each trail, but
coordinated and
presented to the
visitor as a component of Chesapeake water trails. The
information and the environmentallysensitive design elements demonstrate
stewardship of Chesapeake resources.
The trail infrastructure establishes an
enduring connection between the user
and the Bay’s conservation. This
connection is strengthened through
involvement with trail maintenance,
resource monitoring, educational
activities and trail associations.
Each trail is managed by a non-profit
organization, public agency, or water
trail association that promotes the trail,
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advocates low-impact use, coordinates
volunteer stewardship, encourages
youth involvement, facilitates educational programs, and communicates
with a variety of Chesapeake interests.
ELEMENTS OF A
C H E S A P E A K E W AT E R T R A I L
A successful water trail provides access
to the waterway and to intermediate
points on the land. Access points are
appropriately located along the length of
the trail. Facilities for day and overnight
use are available for a variety of users,
designed to protect sensitive resources
and enhance degraded areas. Quality
signage, trail guides, and maps orient
and educate. They identify and interpret
outstanding natural and cultural features
to conserve, to educate, to inspire.
Participants of the 1997
Potomac Water Trail
Expedition visited
Leesylvania State Park,
Virginia located on the
tidal Potomac River.
(Photograph courtesy of
Franz Gimmler)
ACCESS
Accessible for all
people
Ample parking
Multiple points
Attractive signage
Well-marked from
road
Accommodate a
variety of watercraft
FACILITIES
Primitive campsites
Campgrounds
Bed and breakfasts
Marinas
Tackle shops
Outfitters
Picnic sites
Beaches
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
O F WAT E R T R A I L S
I N N O RT H A M E R I C A
• Partnerships–cooperating and sharing
• Stewardship–leaving no trace
• Volunteerism–experiencing the joy
of involvement
• Education–learning by experience
• Conservation–protecting our natural
heritage
• Community Vitality–connecting
people and places
• Diversity–providing opportunities for all
• Wellness and Wellbeing–caring for
self and others
(Courtesy of North American Water Trails, Inc.)
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Restrooms and sanitation stations
Stores and restaurants
Museums
Parks
Connections to land-based trails
INTERPRETIVE TOOLS
Trail Signs: trailhead, directional,
informational and educational – fiberglass embedded, wood, metal, and
other materials. Attractive and eye
catching. Readable. Durable and vandal
resistant. In harmony with landscapes –
captivating the imagination.
Trail Guides and Maps: safety, ecology,
geography, geology, history, archeology
information; leave no trace outdoor
skills; trail use guidelines; facilities;
points of interest; resource threats
context of local area to Bay watershed,
trail stewardship.
Leave No Trace
campsite markers, an
important component
of the Susquehanna
River Trail, promote
environmentally
sensitive use and
enjoyment. (Photograph
courtesy of Ben Nebroski)
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C HESAPEAKE B AY G ATEWAYS
N ETWORK P RINCIPAL
I NTERPRETING T HEMES
•
•
•
•
The Living, Natural Bay
Peoples of the Bay
Settlement of the Bay
An Economic Resource:
Commerce, Productivity and
Transportation
• Military and Naval Presence on
the Bay
• The Bay as a Source of Recreation
and Renewal
• Environmental Stewardship and
Sustainability of the Bay
Resource Features: Interpretation,
conservation, preservation wildlife
areas, archeological sites, scenic views,
dramatic city skylines, whitewater,
marshes and wetlands, islands, historic
waterfronts, mysterious swamps, forests,
bridges, boats, canals, industrial
heritage, local culture, environmental
needs, restoration projects
B U I L D I N G W AT E R T R A I L S
Developing a water trail requires
patience and perseverance. The first key
step is an objective analysis of suitability
and feasibility for a water trail. If the
proposed trail is appropriate for further
consideration, a constituency of
supporters must be cultivated. With
sufficient funding, a comprehensive and
inclusive planning process is initiated
which involves a careful resource
assessment as well as a variety of infrastructure and management decisions.
As implementation commences, the
need for permanent staffing and viable
funding sources are paramount. Trail
promotion and constituency building
are important ongoing activities;
beginning at the project’s conception
and continuing through operations.
Tidal freshwater
marshes of the
Mattaponi River near
Walkerton, Virginia
(Photograph by Dwight
Dyke courtesy of
MPRA, Inc.)
1. ORIGINATION…Sifting the seeds
of an idea
Is the resource suitable?
Is the trail feasible?
Is there support?
Is funding available?
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2. DETERMINATION…Roll up the
sleeves, there is a trail to plan!
Resource Assessment
• physical features
• resource needs
• flora/fauna
• historic attributes
• cultural attributes
• existing facilities
• scenery
• educational opportunities
• hazards
• access
• ownership
• water quality/quantity
• potential day use, camping,
and interpretive sites
Mapping
Public Involvement
Partnerships
Infrastructure Decisions
User Policies and Guidelines
Management Structure
• new or existing organization?
• staffing?
• funding?
• agency role?
Promotion
A map delineating
important features and
resources of the
Choptank and
Tuckahoe Rivers,
Maryland.
(Illustration courtesy
of Old Harford Town
Maritime Center)
3. CREATION…Installing the nuts
and bolts
Landowner Agreements
Signs and Trail Maps
Volunteer Recruitment
Trail Guides
Formal Management Structure
Promotion
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4. OPERATION & EVALUATION…
From the opening “yea” to the day to day
Special Events and Promotion
Public Education
Maintenance and Monitoring
Coordinating/ Retaining Volunteers
Fundraising and Membership
Networking with Agencies and Other
Trail Groups
Ongoing Evaluation of Management
Techniques
Updating and Providing Trail
Information
A birding enthusiast at
Virginia’s Kiptopeke
SUPPORTING CHESAPEAKE
W AT E R T R A I L S
As we move into the 21st century, there
is growing recognition that water trails
are an effective way of increasing public
awareness of the
Chesapeake Bay watershed and facilitating
citizen stewardship.
The efforts of these
water trail interests are
a vital component of
the largest initiative
of its kind in North
America. With the
combined energy and
experience provided by
the coalition of
Chesapeake water trail
organizations and the
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, we
will build the trails which support the
restoration of the Bay and its watershed.
State Park on the lower
eastern shore with the
Chesapeake Bay in
the background.
(Photograph by Dwight
Dyke courtesy of MPRA,
Inc.)
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S u s q u e h a n n a R i v e r Tr a i l
2
N o r t h e r n N e c k H e r i t a g e Tr a i l
3
Yo r k R i v e r Wa t e r Tr a i l
4
Pa t u x e n t R i v e r – A n n e A r u n d e l C o u n t y
5
C h o p t a n k & Tu c k a h o e R i v e r s Wa t e r Tr a i l *
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Mathews County Blueways
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S w a t a r a C re e k Wa t e r Tr a i l
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L o w e r S u s q u e h a n n a R i v e r Wa t e r Tr a i l *
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C h e m u n g B a s i n R i v e r Tr a i l *
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J u n i a t a R i v e r Tr a i l – R a y s t o w n B r a n c h
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P o t o m a c R i v e r Wa t e r Tr a i l
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R a p p a h a n n o c k R i v e r Wa t e r Tr a i l
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Ta n g i e r S o u n d Wa t e r Tr a i l
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B a c k R i v e r & N e w m a r k e t C re e k Wa t e r Tr a i l
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Shenandoah River
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S u s q u e h a n n a Wa t e r Tr a i l – N o r t h B r a n c h
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J a n e s I s l a n d Wa t e r Tr a i l
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Pocomoke River*
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Tu c k a h o e S t a t e P a r k C a n o e Tr a i l
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A n a c o s t i a Wa t e r Tr a i l – B l a d e n s b u r g t o P o t o m a c
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South Branch, Patapsco River
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A n t i e t a m C re e k
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Patuxent River
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We s t B r a n c h S u s q u e h a n n a R i v e r Wa t e r Tr a i l *
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T i d a l P o t o m a c Wa t e r Tr a i l *
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N a n t i c o k e C a n o e Tr a i l
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V i r g i n i a B e a c h Tr a i l
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B a l t i m o re H a r b o r Tr a i l
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M o n o c a c y Wa t e r Tr a i l w a y *
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R i v a n n a R i v e r Wa t e r Tr a i l *
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E l i z a b e t h R i v e r N a t u re a n d C a n o e Tr a i l
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S u s q u e h a n n a R i v e r Tr a i l ( N o r t h e r n E x t e n s i o n )
*component of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network
C H E S A P E A K E WA T E R T R A I L S
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Chesapeake Bay Region
Solomon’s Lump Lighthouse located in Kedges Straits of Tangier Sound, Maryland.
(Photograph courtesy of Nita Settina)
Campsite used by participants of the second annual (April 1999) Trans-Dorchester County, Maryland Kayak Crossing.
(Photograph courtesy of Nita Settina)
View of the Chesapeake Bay from Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve, Virginia.
(Photograph by Dwight Dyke courtesy of MPRA, Inc.)