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Awareness
FORVA’s State of Our Rivers Report (2001) Remastered
In 2001, Bill Tanger and his crew of local river enthusiasts finished what was the most comprehensive presentation of the status of Virginia’s major rivers and waterways at the time. After collecting data from the late 90’s to 2001, Tanger and his colleagues at FORVA–Friends of the Rivers of Virginia–produced a report which sought [...]
Welcome to Friends of the Roanoke River!
The Roanoke River is one of southwest Virginia’s most precious natural resources. Most importantly, however, water from the Roanoke River Watershed provides families in the Roanoke Valley with much of their drinking water supply. In fact, the Water Authority pumps water into the Spring Hollow Reservoir from the headwaters of the Roanoke River [...]
Stormwater ravages in the Roanoke River: Riverside Park in Salem to the Star City’s Memorial Avenue Bridge
One of the greatest threats to the Roanoke River Basin and, indeed, the entire watershed is uncontrolled water run-off which drains directly into the Star City’s fragile watercourse.
Last year, we took trip down the Roanoke River in anticipation of thunderous rains to track the flow of drainage into the River from numerous locations along [...]
Low-water bridge on Roanoke River between Smith Park and Rivers Edge
This amazing photo of the ravages of floodwaters along the Roanoke River as it makes its way along the Greenway was shot by local graphic designer Eli Bishop–an avid biker and daily user of Roanoke’s Greenway System. Bishop created Wiretap Studios in 2005 as an online showcase for his work.
Free at Last . . . Roanoke River remediation continues
Earlier this spring, the Roanoke River flowed unencumbered from the confluence of the North and South Forks to Wasena Park in the heart of the Star City for the first time in over 40 years.
Plans for new park on Roanoke River near Memorial Bridge
The Star City’s nationally accredited Parks and Recreation Department, headed by Steven Buschor, operates 68 parks and plazas across Roanoke. Get ready for number 69!
Roanokers may have noticed the removal of the aging Hannah Court Trailer Park behind Black Dog Salvage at the Memorial Bridge near Grandin Village. Removal of the trailer park alone [...]
Rupert Cutler: Perennial Friend of the Roanoke River
Star City Council appointed Dr. Rupert Cutler to replace outgoing City Council member Alvin Nash, who returned to the private sector earlier this year. “I have a lot of resignation letters going out in the next few days,” joked Cutler, who serves on several boards with interests possibly in conflict with his work on Council, [...]
Headwaters to the Sound
Beginning in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Montgomery County, Virginia, the Roanoke River runs from southwest Virginia to northeastern North Carolina over approximately 410 miles. The Roanoke River Basin drains much of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast through the Carolina Piedmont region and on to Albemarle Sound. [...]
It all flows to the River
The same River runs beneath the Star City and–miles away to the east–past the base of Pine Mountain (elevation 1144) near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Lick Run to the Roanoke River
Roanoke, Virginia, was formerly named Big Lick. Popular lore has it that Native Americans would corner large game in the Roanoke Valley at a spot long buried beneath the rubble and asphalt near the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Second Street in the heart of the Star City.