Bill Dean paddles his kayak closer to the shoreline, pointing to a wooden structure long ago buried beneath the earth embankment.

Believed to be one of the many barges that would transport coal down the river, the remaining timber excited Dean, who chose to paddle along on this Coal River Group and Friends float trip.

Known as the Coal, Little Coal, and Big Coal Rivers, the water route winds gently through Boone County. Reminders of the rivers’ past are seen up and down the river if one just slows down and looks close enough.

Which is exactly what the Coal River Group and Friends are doing — slowing down their weekend for a 7 mile float down the rivers in Boone County.

Eighteen people, in 16 boats, traveled together this past month for the pure enjoyment of the river. There are no trophies or medals to be won.

It is not a race, and it has been weeks since the Tour de Coal. Yet, Boone County residents and nonresidents alike are still taking pleasure in the outdoor recreation that the Coal, Little Coal and Big Coal offer.

Like any other recreational trail in West Virginia, the river trails along the Coal River are broken into manageable bite-size components.

You can choose from several “routes” that have been designated a route marker – such as Trip B-1 or Trip B-5. Each letter refers to a one of the three rivers. In this instance B-5 run, which starts at Brier Creek is located on the Big Coal River.

This trip begins at Sproul Road, ending at the Lions Park, on Coal River Road.

Float organizer Tim Ligon, a veteran kayaker and outdoor enthusiast, helped this reporter and her children safely maneuver down the three rivers during the B-5 run.

As with defensive driving, savvy kayakers are encouraged to look downstream and “read” the water, by looking for patterns in the water — the water making a ‘V’ indicates rocks or debris in the water.

Interestingly, the water levels during this particular trip were

relatively low, and during many patches along the float the riverbed was not just clearly visible — but easy to get momentarily “stuck” on.

Safety-conscious, the CRG was outfitted with safety vest, or life saving flotation devices.

Though during the majority of this particular trip, the water levels were relatively low, this reporter’s greatest sense of safety came in numbers, knowing that there were an ample number of experienced kayakers around to help through the “unfamiliar territory.”

Two separate water gages in the area recorded the water flow at Tornado at 10.5 feet, with only two feet of water at the Ashford gage.

“The key features of this run are some nice riffles in the first few miles and then Lock 6 at the end of Sproul Rd. After the lock the river slows and becomes more silt covered. You will pass under Corridor G and Route 214 bridges, and then pass through the forks of Coal followed by Lock 4,” Ligon says, describing the river route.

Most unexpected was how quickly participants were transported from the sounds of the highway — with engines bustling — to a stillness that is only occasionally broken with the chirping of a bird or splash of a paddle on the water’s surface.

Half-way through the 7 mile float, the group stopped for a rest. Nearby, local residents had moved rocks into the river to impeded the water’s flow, forming a “natural” Jacuzzi, or “swimming hole.”

Just before the Corridor G Bridge and at the end of Sand Plant Road, is where Dean points out the remains of the old coal barge.

Bill Curry, Bill Dean, Gerg Stam, Matt Curry, and other kayakers documented the barge with pictures and rough

measurements.

At intervals, the trees that line the embankment have formed a natural tunnel for kayakers to enjoy.

“They grow toward the middle of the river, in the direction of the sunlight,” Ligon points out.

Not so natural, however, are the dozens of tires littering the floor and sides of the river, as ugly reminders that in the past some area residents used tires to barricade against floods.

At one point an industrial-sized tire looms out of the water, and though it would make a great

hiding place for the fish that kayakers are trying to lure on their fishing rods, the tire is strikingly out of place among the peaceful nature setting.

The float continued until its “take out” at Lions Park.

All told, the trip covered approximately seven miles of river; three rivers were traversed (the Big Coal, Little Coal, and Coal Rivers; and took

approximately six hours to

complete.

The CRG is contemplating ways to mark the number of miles a person has traveled on the river, though the task has its unique set of obstacles. Chiefly, the surrounding river bank is constantly changing.

“We’ve considered signage on overpasses and other landmarks, so people know how far along they are,” Ligon said.

The group is also working with the DNR to upgrade access to their “launch” and “take-out” locations.

Coal River Group is organizing a Boone County Community Float for Aug. 8. For more details on this event or to learn more about participating with the Coal River Group contact Kris Radford, Director of Communications at 727-3112.