Townes Dam and Talbott Dam on the upper reaches of the Dan (a.k.a. Pinnacles of the Dan) River in Patrick County VA have severely impacted the Dan River for decades. These dams control flow on three stretches of river that range from Class II-V and if the river reaches were restored would provide a significant new paddling resource for the southside VA and central NC communities. With different sections for every class paddler all close together, it really is a place that could become a paddling destination.
The Pinnacles are severely dewatered and therefore suffer from vegetation encroachment, limited aquatic habitat, and a lack of paddling opportunities. These are common ecological impacts in many bypassed river reaches. Flow restoration has done great things for rivers with similar impacts like the Cheoah River in North Carolina.
The Pinnacles of the Dan, like the Pigeon Dries and Hiwassee Dries, is one of the last remaining dewatered rivers in the region. The dams are up for relicensing until 2031, and the relicensing process began in early 2026. American Whitewater is actively participating in the process, seeking flow restoration, public access, and flow information. With the restoration of a variable flow regime, the Pinnacles of the Dan could become an ecologically thriving river again that invites whitewater paddlers and anglers into a charming and beautiful river gorge, and that could provide a boost for the local economy and quality of life. Improvements in flows and access could also benefit the Sawteeth Gorge and Kibler Valley runs, which are part of the same relicensing process.