Work on the repair and upgrade of the Cheat River Access at Jenkinsburg begins today. The contractor, Allenwood Construction of Clarksburg, WV, is a subsidiary of J.F. Allen, one of the largest highway contractors in the state. They expect the construction to be completed in two weeks if favorable weather conditions continue.
This site, which has suffered through decades of overuse and malicious behavior, was recently purchased by Mountain Streams and Trails outfitters of Morgantown, WV. The site is important to whitewater paddlers as the takeout for the Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy Rivers. The finished project will include an enlarged upper parking lot and a trail down to the river.
The work is being funded by a $15,000 grant from the West Virginia DEP that was matched by $15,000 in private contributions. American Whitewater was one of the key players in this fundraising effort. This money includes a $1000 grant from American Canoe Association that’s been sponsored by L.L. Bean. The work is being managed by Friends of Cheat in their Kingwood, WV office by executive director Keith Pitzer.