Blueway Water Tables
Equipment
- Compass
- Drinking-Water
- First Aid Kit
- Life Jacket for Each Passenger (Checking Weight Restrictions)
- Map of Blueway with Designated Access Points Identified
- Matches
- Pack to Allow for Portages
Trout Stocking
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) posts its weekly trout stocking schedule online. In Franklin County, trout stocking generally takes place at the Waid Recreation Area in the Pigg River.
Water Tables
| Body of Water | 1.5 to 2 Feet | 2 to 2.6 Feet | 2.6 to 3.5 Feet | 3.6 to 4 Feet | 4 Feet & Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Blackwater (Brubaker Park to Blue Bend Road) | Unfloatable, Over 5 Hours to Float | Minimum Level - Few Portages, 4 Hours to Float | Ideal Floating Level - Careful Floating Debris but Ideal Fishing Level, 3.5 Hours to Float | Moderate Skills Required - Possible Strainers, Boat Control Skills Needed, 3 Hours to Float | Solid Boat Control Skills Needed - Braided Channels and Difficult Take-Out Access, 2 Hours to Float |
| Middle Blackwater (U.S. 220 Wayside to Farm View Road Ford) | Minimum Level - Most Rock Gardens Unfloatable, Over 5 Hours to Float | Gentle Float - Rapids Remain at Class I and Ideal Fishing Level, 4 Hours to Float | Good Flow for Moderately Experienced Paddlers - Dam Portage May Be Tricky. One Rock Garden Goes to Class II, 3.5 Hours to Float | Ideal Flow for Experienced Paddlers - Multiple Rapids Rise to Class II, 3 Hours to Float | Level Only Appropriate for Skilled Paddlers with Solid Boat Control Skills - Most Rapids Wash out and the Dam Becomes Difficult to Portage Above 5.5 Feet, 2.5 Hours to Float |
| Lower Blackwater (Farm View Road Ford to Smith Mountain Lake) | Moderate Level, 3 Hours to Float | Moderate Float - Rapids Remain Class I, 2.5 Hours to Float | Ideal Floating Level - Class I Rapids and Ideal Fishing Level, 2 Hours to Float | Moderate Boat Control Skills Needed - Concerns of Debris, 1.5 Hours to Float | Must Have Solid Boat Control Skills - Most Rapids Wash out - Watch for Floating Debris and Strainers, 1 Hour to Float |
| Upper Blackwater Sub-Float (Grassy Hill Road to Blue Bend Road) | Minimum Level - Portage Needed in Spots, 1.5 Hours to Float | Good Level - No Portages, 1 Hour to Float | Fun, Fast Float - Watch for Strainers, 50 Minutes to Float | Fast - Moderate Float - All Rapids Washed Out, 45 Minutes to Float | River Washes Out - Difficult Take-Out, 30 Minutes to Float |
| Upper Pigg River (Waid Park to Lynch Park) | Minimum Level - Requires Portages, 5 Hours to Float | Gentle Float - May Scrape in Spots but Fishing Is Ideal, 4 Hours to Float | Ideal Floating Level - Challenging Ledges, 3 Hours to Float | Good Flow for Moderately Skilled Paddlers, 2.5 Hours to Float | Fast Float - Most Rapids Washed Out, 2 Hours to Float |