Dan River Watershed Protection Initiative ~ 2,248 acres protected
Stokes and Rockingham Counties
From its headwaters in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the Dan River travels between high rock cliffs and steep bluffs covered with rhododendron as it flows through Stokes County. As the river flows into Rockingham County, its waters slow and widen until it becomes typical of the Piedmont, where a successful mill industry once developed and flat bottomed boats ferried supplies up and down the river. From Rockingham County, the river re-enters Virginia and then dips back into North Carolina for a short distance in Caswell County before eventually joining the Roanoke River in Virginia.
Throughout its course in North Carolina, the Dan River’s outstanding beauty offers paddlers and fishermen miles of relatively undisturbed wilderness and excellent fisheries. The Dan River’s cleaner waters are home to several species of rare and endangered fish and freshwater mussels including the orangefin madtom (Noturus gilberti), bigeye jumprock (Scartomyzon ariommus) and the federally endangered James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) while its shores are home to several rare plants including the state threatened Virginia cup-plant (Silphium connatum), state species of special concern goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and federally endangered small-anthered bittercress (Cardamine micranthera). The Natural Heritage Inventories conducted in Stokes and Rockingham County identified nineteen unique natural areas as regionally, state or nationally significant. Dan River Riparian Corridor Design Studies identified and set priorities for parcels in need of protection and/or restoration to maintain and enhance the water quality of the Dan River.
As with any river, the quality of the Dan River both in terms of its water and the habitat it provides is impacted by a variety of factors. Consequently, Piedmont Land Conservancy is partnering with several other agencies and organizations including Dan River Basin Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NC Plant Conservation Program, NC Department of Parks and Recreation to protect and improve the ecological function of the Dan River Watershed. By working together, we can pool our resources and expertise, then use available data to ensure this natural and recreational resource will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
PLC is pleased to relate the following conservation success stories within the Dan River Watershed.