Coal River (West Virginia)
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The Coal River is a tributary of the Kanawha River in southern West Virginia. It is formed near the community of Alum Creek by the confluence of the Big and Little Coal Rivers, and flows generally northward through western Kanawha County, past the community of Tornado and into the Kanawha River at St. Albans.
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[edit] History
Originally named Walhondecepe by the Delaware Indians, Coal River was renamed in the 18th century by explorer John Peter Salley for the coal deposits along its banks.
Development of mining enterprises in the southern West Virginia coalfields turned the river into a navigable waterway in the 19th century. A series of locks and dams supported commercial barge traffic using steam-powered sternwheelers. However, this system proved unworkable because of recurring flood damage to the wooden locks, which were abandoned. The Coal River remains a federally-designated navigable waterway to this day.
Beginning around 1800, flax mills and gristmills were built and operated along the river, yielding fiber for the production of textiles in addition to staples such as flour and cornmeal. In the latter half of the century, a series of log booms were built to facilitate commercial logging operations. Conveniently, the hydropower made by the existing dams enabled the establishment of sawmills, which processed the harvested logs into finished lumber.
After failed attempts by others, the Coal River and Western Railway Company established scheduled rail service along the river at the dawn of the 20th century. This finally provided a reliable source of transportation for the coal and timber industries, sparking an economic boom in the region.
[edit] Environmental Concerns
The period since World War II is characterized by controversy over the practices of timber and coal operators. Of particular concern is the damaging effects of coal mining. While this activity adds billions of dollars in value to the West Virginia economy, it also wreaks environmental devastation on the Coal River.
Numerous environmental hazards are posed by underground and surface mining operations in the Coal River watershed. Especially troubling to many residents and the United Mine Workers is the coal slurry impoundments that are a byproduct of coal mining and preparation. Some are hundreds of feet tall and contain billions of gallons of toxic waste. This sludge includes dozens of carcinogenic chemicals used for processing, in addition to heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. A persistent fear is that a repeat of the nearby Buffalo Creek disaster is possible, especially since today's impoundments dwarf the one there. Blackwater spills and surface water contamination on tributaries of the Coal River are common. Activism in opposition to the practices of mine operators is a constant and normal feature of life in the region.
[edit] Big Coal River
The Big Coal River rises in Raleigh County as two streams, the Clear Fork and the Marsh Fork, which join near Whitesville. The river then flows generally northwest through Boone County, past the towns of Sylvester and Racine.
[edit] Little Coal River
The Little Coal River also rises as two streams, the Spruce Fork in Logan County and the Pond Fork in Boone County. They meet at Madison in Boone County and the river then flows generally northward, past the towns of Danville and Julian.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- United States Geological Survey
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
