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Blackwater River (west Virginia)





DESCRIPTION AND COURSE

The Blackwater River is a true Blackwater stream, as its upper reaches drain the high-altitude Wetlands of Canaan Valley , where Tannins impart a Tea color to its water. The river retains this coloring throughout its length, even after it leaves the wetlands and becomes a fast-flowing Mountain stream.

After flowing north-northeastwardly through Canaan Valley, the Blackwater turns west-southwestwardly for the remainder of its course, passing the town of Davis , downstream of which it Falls 66 Feet over Blackwater Falls and enters a Gorge . In this lower section the river forms Class IV-VI Rapids . At the town of Hendricks , it joins the Dry Fork River to form the Black Fork of the Cheat River.


TRIBUTARIES

The North Branch Blackwater River and the '''Little Blackwater River''' are short tributaries in the river's upper reaches in the Canaan Valley. The '''North Fork Blackwater River''' joins the Blackwater from the north in its gorge section; it rises in northern Tucker County and flows past the town of Thomas .


RECREATION

The Blackwater River passes through portions of Canaan Valley Resort and Blackwater Falls State Parks , and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge . A Rail Trail parallels the river and its North Fork between Hendricks and Thomas.


SEE ALSO



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