TUCKER COUNTY, WV– Earlier this month, Sam Skidmore of Rugged Trail Company has completed improvements to the new Riverwalk Trail in Davis after portions were washed out by torrential rains. Friends of the Blackwater, Blackwater Bikes and Land Donor Pete Johnson attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony conducted by Davis Mayor Al Tomson on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Davis.
Friends of Blackwater has installed a heritage sign at the old Gaging Station Building along the trail. A new Gage run by the US Geologic Survey measures water quality as part of efforts to control the effects of acid mine drainage. Gaging Station information can be located at https://waterdata.usgs.gov.
The Riverwalk Trail begins at Davis Town Park line and ends just past New Heritage Distillery on William Avenue and follows along the Blackwater River. Before the development of Davis Riverwalk, the parcel contained multiple storm water outlets that created erosion and emptied directly into the Blackwater River.
As a result of the development of the 7-acre Riverwalk tract, several storm drains are being hardscaped with large plumes of quarry and natural riprap. Judy Rodd, Friends of Blackwater Director notes, “We couldn’t be more thankful to Sam at Rugged Trails for the incredible work he did to fix this portion of trail making the scenic corridor easily accessible to so many.”
Future plans for the trail include the construction of a bridge that will connect the trail to the longer trail network across the river in Blackwater Falls State Park and expansion of the trail to where the new Visitor’s Center will be constructed near the edge of town.
Before and After Pics are attached, courtesy of Friends of Blackwater.
