By Stephen Smoot, The Pendleton Times
FRANKLIN, W.Va. — Officials in Pendleton, Grant, and Hardy counties continue to voice concerns over developing pressure points along the South Branch River.
Three separate areas of concern have repeatedly come up in regional discussions and requests for assistance or regulatory relief.
Last month, the Pendleton County Commission spent just under $500,000 to acquire the former Franklin Elementary School on a hillside above the downtown of the county seat. This came after years of warnings about the impact of a rising riverbed and reduced carrying capacity in the river for large amounts of water.
Currently a number of county and local offices of the state, including both law enforcement and emergency management, operate from the community building near the river. Heavy rains this summer caused the river to approach flood stage multiple times while drainage systems failed, leaving the nearby Pendleton County Senior and Family Services building literally bailing water for two hours to prevent that facility from flooding. Gillespie shared worries that floodwaters could incapacitate the community building in a disaster.
The newly purchased structure will place vital facilities and personnel well above the river’s flood stage. The property could also potentially house in the future the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department and Pendleton County Rescue Squad’s Franklin unit.
A different type of danger from debris embedded in the river has developed in recent years in Smoke Hole Canyon.
Mike Alt has a unique perspective on Smoke Hole Tourism. When they come to enjoy the wild river and wilderness scenery, tourists inevitably stop at his Shreve’s Country Store.
If they find themselves in physical danger, they must engage one of his other going concerns. Alt also serves as training officer for Pendleton County Emergency Rescue.
“As a local sporting store that relies heavily on tourism, our customers that come here for a variety of water recreational enjoyment will be hindered by the impact of debris filled rivers,” he explained.
Alt has expressed concerns for years over steadily increasing numbers of trees that fall into the river and become embedded. Recently he flew a drone over this section of the South Branch River to determine the extent of the problem.
This creates dangers on both a micro and macro level.
Trees in the fast paced, narrow, and winding Smoke Hole Canyon pose a “micro” threat to each individual rafter, tubist, or kayaker that chooses to traverse the river, especially on the lengthy 16 mile stretch downstream of Big Bend Campground.
Danger from the trees can come quickly on those unprepared to meet it on the river. “A 12-year-old had a near death experience from this exact same issue,” Alt said. Then he asked, “Is that not a reason enough to address these issues?”
The “macro” effect is even more ominous. Alt shares that “the debris currently is concerning due to the fact of how large it is.” He went on to add that flood levels rise more rapidly in the canyon and that other debris could catch onto the trees and produce a damming effect and “divert water onto the single lane road into Big Bend Campground,” likely washing it out.
“If this was to occur, who knows the lives in danger with no road access to the campground,” shared Alt. Additionally the narrowness of the canyon gives those staying in the homes along the river few avenues of escape should a flood close to the level of 1985 recur.
A damming effect would also have unpredictable consequences for those living downstream in Grant County.
