The Russell Fork is one of the most stunning whitewater streams in the south east US with three outstanding whitewater sections accomodating a wide range of whitewater paddling skills ranging from class II-III+, V and II(III). For 11 months of the year the Russell Fork will flow with sufficient rainfall or when the Flannagan Dam on the Pound River is releasing. Currently the only “scheduled” releases for whitewater recreation occur during the annual October weekend fall seasonal “drawdown” of the Flannagan lake. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers of the Russell Fork Water Watch there has been a new effort to obtain additional recreational releases.
The petition below began circulating in September, 2000 and will soon be turned over to U.S. Congressmen Harold Rogers (KY) and Rick Boucher (VA) as well as the Huntington office of the Corp of Engineers for consideration. Cooperation among the interested parties is very likely at this time. Please leave your full name and e-mail address in the space provided (entries without both can’t be counted). We also welcome your comments (you can read some below the form). Your electronic signatures will not be sold or shared with any entities other than the ones listed above.
We the undersigned request the West Virginia Corp of Engineers to release enough water
from Flanagan Reservoir to reach a target flow at Bartlick of 350cfs beginning each June, 3
days per week, for 4 hours each day. This request should not interfere with scheduled October
winter drawdown. We believe this request can lead to continued economic expansion in
eco-tourism industries in the Breaks area of Kentucky and Virginia.
Please sign the petition today and help obtain new flow for the Russell Fork