Hart's Access at Highway 704

Spring 2010 Paddler Cleanup

More than 20 years ago a group of people in Stokes and Rockingham Counties joined together to establish a network of public river access sites along the Dan River Trail.

Creating and protecting access to the Dan River for fishing and floating over the intervening years has demanded the vision, initiative and cooperation of many people and institutions. Success in maintaining the network has seen its ups and downs. The first week of March 2011 the Dan River Trail had another major success.

Late Summer 2010
Grading & Gravel

Spring 2011
NC Wildlife Kiosk & building
slated for demolition.

The river access known as “Hart's Access” at Highway 704 near Francisco, NC, is coming to the end of its 25 year lease agreement with the county. Since the late 1990s when the county budget could no longer stretch to provide maintenance many different groups and individuals have taken it upon themselves to maintain this and other access sites. Most recently a coalition of local canoe and kayak clubs graded and graveled the steep driveway and parking area. But an old, half-burned house – full of the childhood memories of the Hart family – needed to be removed. For Joann Hart, who owns the property with her brother, Johnny, the site had become a danger that needed to be fixed.

Spring 2011
NC Wildlife Res. Comm at work

A partnership was formed between the Harts, the County, and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) to remove the building in exchange for another 15 year lease.

Spring 2011
Building removed

This past Monday a NCWRC crew of two arrived with equipment. With the addition of a county dumptruck and driver, the site was leveled and hauled off. By 4pm Tuesday all that remained was a seeded and strawed clearing in the woods. As Darren Wade, NCWRC Engineering Services Chief, prepared to head off to the next project he told me (with a big smile), “as long as we're keeping access open and helping folks get out in nature I'm tickled to do what I can.” A man who loves his job.

Spring 2011
Darren Wade, NCWRC, Engineering

Following is a short list of those who have supported this small project to improve and save Harts Access:

• Kin Hodges, Fisheries Biologist, NCWRC
• Jimmy Boles, Enforcement, NCWRC
• Darren Wade, Engineering Services, NCWRC
• Alan Wood, Stokes Economic Development
• Frankie Burcham, Fire Marshall
• Mark Delehant, County Operations
• Brandon Joyce, Stokes Environmental Health
• Don George, attorney
• Triad River Runners
• Smith River Valley Canoe Club
• Tarheel Paddlers Association

and especially

• Johnny Hart and Joanne Hart, owners of the property where Hart's Access is located.

Thanks to all who help keep access open to outdoor recreation!

MillerCoors and River Network Grant Competition

Almost a year ago DRBA participated in a competitive grant program organized by River Network with funding from MillerCoors. After our three-pronged proposal was selected as a finalist it was up to DRBA's supporters to generate votes online ... which you all did so well that we got second place! While there is still plenty of work to do, Mother Nature Network featured our partnership with this video today! We hope you enjoy it, find it informative, and will perhaps share it with your friends and fellow water-dependent humans.

But wait! There's more!

The 2011 Watershed Protection Grant Competition is underway and 6 more outstanding non-profit organizations are looking for your support in the voting process. Please follow that link and check out the various projects and VOTE!

Thanks again to MillerCoors for its important support.

Waking up on the Dan River

After a lovely winter full of snow, a flood and loads of planning I managed to lose focus on the very important StokesOUTDOORS blog.

Despite a lack of time to stop, reflect, and focus on summing up the past several months since the last post here, it's simply time to freshen up the blog, clear away the old news, and say hello once again to all of our DRBA members and friends of this very special watershed and region.

This Spring in Stokes has already featured a 15 Hour Adventure Race, the 6th Annual Poker Paddle Run, hiking, boating, river cleaning and ... some very important fishing time.

I will be recapping our recent events, announcing those on the horizon, and perhaps contemplating this river, its tributaries, and these curious and inspiring Sauratown Mountains.

With anticipation for blog posts to come,
-Dale

Playwave Strainer Update and Post Storm Caution

Good news for any fall and winter paddlers - heavy rain 2 weeks ago floated and the pushed the strainer out of the way. Of course, the recent deluge from what's left of tropical storm, Ida, has certainly caused a number of new "adjustments" to the rivers and creeks. Any time you venture out on any waterway after a storm - especially one with sustained rain and wind - be on the look-out for new dangers such as:

• fallen trees
• drowned animals such as deer and livestock
• large debris such as tires, building material, appliances and anything that could wash down from a swollen tributary creek

Rivers are wild and untamed places - even where it passes along well traveled roads, through neighborhoods, and in towns and cities. But isn't that why we love them so? Give rivers the respect they are due.

Status of Dan River Hazard

With the weekend drawing near and the Fall Colors on the river nearing their peak we expect many will be loading up their canoes and kayaks for an exhilarating river trip.

If you're planning to visit the Dan River section between the Highway 89 bridge and Hanging Rock State Park please review the following video to familiarize yourself with the hazard we wrote about earlier this week.

Winston-Salem Journal recognizes DRBA's new office & aspirations in Stokes County

Very exciting news arrived this morning with a Winston-Salem Journal article about DRBA's efforts and aspirations for working in Stokes County. We really appreciate the attention that Journal columnist, Lisa O'Donnell, gives to outdoor recreation and the environment and are thrilled that she chose to give us a little spotlight.

And without intending to be critical we'd like to correct one small error; the article states that there are currently only 2 public accesses along the river in Stokes County. In fact there are four; Hart's Access at the Hwy 704 bridge, Hanging Rock State Park, Moratock Park in Danbury, and Davis Chapel on Snow Creek near the Dodgetown Rd. bridge over the river.

We are, of course, very excited about the prospect of bringing Hemlock Golf Course back into the county's system of accesses with assistance from NC Wildlife Resources.

Thanks again to Lisa O'Donnell and the Journal!

River Hazard on Hanging Rock section

Important warning to all boaters on the Hanging Rock State Park section of the Dan River! We will post updates as conditions change with regard to this dangerous river hazard.