A (Virtual) Ride Down James River

After rejoining the south channel and paddling through some mild ledges, the water flattens for the next mile or so. River right in this flatwater reach features The Wetlands, a park area serving as a nature preserve and also part of the James River Park System. Adjoining The Wetlands on the east is Willow Oaks Country Club which extends for several hundred feet along the banks of the river.

On river left across from Willow Oaks is the settling basin and the water treatment system for the City of Richmond, fed by the water diverted by Williams Dam. Visible on river left is a small concrete structure that served as the City’s first (1914) chlorine treatment house. Here the current accelerates as we paddle through Powhite Ledges, a class 2 rapid. These ledges provide good spots for surfing.

Just below Powhite Ledges, we go under the Powhite Parkway Bridge opened in 1973. On the river left bank is the Retention Tunnel completed in 2003 that captures the "first flush" from the combined sewer in a major rain event. Just downstream from the Powhite Bridge is the Belt Line Railroad Bridge built in 1919. Adjacent to this bridge is the remains of stone piers from a bridge constructed in 1891 for the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. The wooden superstructure on these piers burned around 1918.