It’s a “regular” First Saturday Outing of the Dan River Basin Association, one in an uninterrupted series reaching back nearly six years. Still, you’d be forgiven for calling this one “special.”

The “regular” First Saturday Outing of the Dan River Basin Association on September 1 is a 6.5-mile float on a now little traveled section of the Banister River formerly plied by  flat-bottomed batteaux, the “semi-trailers” of nineteenth century river travel.  Dams have inhibited travel on this and other sections of the Banister River.

The September 1 trip will float what Carl Espy, Halifax Town Manager and DRBA Board member, calls a “seldom seen” section of the river between the town of Halifax and Terry’s Bridge, (US Highway 360).

A special treat for those who come, said Espy, will be the participation of Bill and Nancy Trout, of the Virginia Canals and Navigations Society, arranged by Paul Johnson.  Johnson is Director of Libraries for Halifax County, an author and a Board member and Outings Chair of the Dan River Basin Association.

Bill and Nancy Trout often appear at special events in their quaint nineteenth century garb, even if the event is a river trip. William E. Trout III., a retired genetics researcher, veteran low-water archaeologist and historian of river navigation, is the author of several river atlases, including the Dan River Atlas (2003), which includes detailed information about navigation on the Dan and two of its tributaries, the Smith and the Banister.

“You’ll be able to see the remains of nineteenth century batteau sluices,” said Espy, “and if the water is low and clear many other interesting features.”

For example, near the start of the trip, just upstream from US 501 / VA 360 bridge and close together, are the remains of a wing dam, two well-preserved piers of the old Kings Bridge and an old gauge tower, all of these identified by William Trout in 1999.

“This particular section of the river,” said trip coordinator Espy, “has sparked a great deal of interest with local historians, area planners, naturalists and a variety of state agencies because of its rich historic, cultural and natural features.”

Trout’s atlas says that “some of the best preserved batteau sluices in Virginia are in the first four miles below Halifax Dam.”  These are best seen in summer, when the water is low, during a period without rain, when the water is clear.

One place about a mile above the VA 614 Bridge has two sets of wing dams that Trout feels should be on the National Register of Historic Places.  One set of dams is shaped like a Native American or early colonial fish trap.

Participants are asked to meet at 10:00 a. m. at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries ramp on the west side of US Highway 501 just north of downtown Halifax, VA.  Please bring boat, life jacket, plenty of fluids, lunch and rain gear. 

Although the trip is not technically demanding or hazardous, boaters will be asked to sign an “Assignment of Risk / Waiver of Claim” form. All First Saturday Outings of the Dan River Basin Association are free and open to the public.

For further information about the trip, contact Carl Espy at Halifax Town Hall (434-476-2343) or via e-mail at halifaxtm@comcast.net.