New River Gorge Bridge WV

New River Gorge Bridge, WV

April 20, 2008. On the return trip from the ENTS Moot in Black Mountain, NC I had the opportunity to stop at the New River Gorge Bridge, mostly because my route carried me across it. US 19 a four lane highway in West Virginia crosses the Bridge. The bridge is 3,030 feet long and rises 876 feet above the new River Gorge. The New River Gorge Bridge took three years to complete and cost nearly $37 million. Because of the chosen arch design, and the depth of the gorge, steel was moved into position by trolleys running on three inch diameter cables stretched between two 330-foot towers. More than 88 million pounds of steel are incorporated. Michael Baker Jr., Inc. was the design engineer company for the structure, which was built by the American Bridge Division of US Steel. Its cor-ten steel will never need painting. The span arches across the New River, among the oldest rivers in North America, considered to be America's best whitewater. The New River Gorge National River is one of three national rivers that are located in the immediate area. The other two are: the Gauley River National Recreation Area and the Bluestone National Scenic River.

The Canyon Rim Visitors Center is located immediately off 19 on the north side of the bridge. From here are views of the bridge and some trailheads. The uppermost view looks down on the top of the bridge and Route 19. The second set of overlooks are along a boardwalk and looks down on the river gorge and across to the bridge from the side. The upper view is wheelchair accessible, the lower is reached by a series of steps dropping about 200 feet to provide a second view of the bridge and canyon.

The New River Gorge National River was designated in 1978, protecting 53 miles of one of the oldest rivers in the world. The gorge averages 1,000 feet in depth and contains one of the most diverse plant species assemblages of any river gorge in the southern Appalachians. Cultural resources include prehistoric sites as well as remnants from the recent Industrial Age: abandoned coal mines, company towns, tipples, and coke ovens. Annually, one million visitors enjoy a full spectrum of recreational activities. The New River is renowned for its warmwater fishery and outstanding whitewater boating. Massive sandstone cliffs challenge rock climbers, while trails and overlooks offer less strenuous opportunities for enjoyment.

The Gorge is a fascinating place that deserves more of a look by ENTS and other inspired naturalists. Most of the forest in the canyon walls was uncut. By around 1900 however because of railroads and coal mines numerous towns spread along the valley with inherent severe impacts to the forest in the valley. After a brief burst of activities most of these towns were abandoned, and are now in the process of being reclaimed by the forest.

The park service website states in part: "New River Gorge National River lies at the core of the largest remaining block of relatively unfragmented, mid-latitude forest in the world. The gorge section of NRGNR supports the most diverse plant assemblage of any river gorge in the central and southern Appalachians. This is due, in part, to the moisture gradient extremes that exist between the rim and river. The park provides critical habitat for abundant and diverse breeding populations of migratory birds (including the Cerulean warbler, a species in decline elsewhere in its range) Also located in the park is the rare Appalachian Flatrock plant community which includes sedges, cedars and pines. This plant assemblage occurs on flat sandstone ledges along the New River and is dependent on the scouring caused by occasional flooding for its long-term integrity.

Most of the original deciduous forest stands and understory species have been impacted by past and current activities associated with timbering, mining, agriculture, transportation, utilities, and the exclusion of fire. Internal development projects, increasing recreational activities, and expanding commercial and residential influences on the boundary continue to put pressure on a highly fragmented base resource.

The New River's origins can be traced back to the birth of the Appalachian mountains and an ancient river called the Teays. Late in the Paleozoic Era, 500 million years ago, the North American and African plates collided, buckling and shattering the earth's crust and forcing the Appalachians up towards the sky. The Teays River, with headwaters near present-day Blowing Rock, NC, drained the slopes of the new mountain range. As the Teays River picked up speed and power it began cutting through the roots of the old mountains, all the while maintaining it northerly flow. This action continues today in the spectacular New River Gorge, where in some place the river has cut 1500 feet down through the old Appalachians to create a deep canyon.

Because the New River is so old, its habitats and wildlife have been able to achieve a form of stability. Millions of years of available passage have allowed many species of plants and animals to move in and persist in the area. Since the New River cuts from east to west across the Appalachians, we find species that are typically Atlantic coastal plain and piedmont, such as melic grass, living with northern mountain species. Because time has favored the new River Gorge, certain unique species have been able to carve their own niches here. Several species of fish have evolved that are endemic (found nowhere else) to this river.

In the immediate area of the visitors center and the bridge the forests along the canyon wall look young, but there is a chance to find isolated pockets of old growth that has been relatively stable for an extremely long period of time. We just need to find them.

Ed Frank

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TOPIC: New River Gorge Bridge, WV
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/85e99b53338cc3b7?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Apr 22 2008 6:36 pm
From: "Dale Luthringer"

Ed,

I've also thought about exploring the New River Gorge as well. There is
a particular set of outcrops on the south side of the river uphill from
the bridge that is at the bottom of the gorge that show twisted tree
forms. I bet with a little bit of exploration, we could come up with
some old stuff. Didn't notice anything that had any serious age though
adjacent to the visitor center. So far, all my trips there have been
very short. Three years ago was the first time I actually stopped at
the new visitor center, but didn't have any time for exploration. My
wife & I were on our way back from a trip to the Smokies.

Dale

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