Shenandoah River at Shannondale Springs Landing

Shenandoah River at Shannondale Springs Landing: River Right Access (West Side) to Main Stem Shenandoah River Distance to here from upstream access at Meyer's Ferry is 4. river miles Distance from here downstream to Moulton Park is 3 miles Description: Shannondale Springs access is a public paved ramp down into a nice pool on the Main Stem Shenandoah River. It's a little out of the way and on the Blue Ridge Mountain side of the river but a nice place to put in for a short float past Route 9 or to kick around a little in a shallow running jon boat. Parking: Plenty of parking for cars with trailers on a gravel lot near the ramp. Please extra courteous and pick up any litter you see. The River: The river averages about 100 yards wide. The river bottom varies dramatically from shallow bedrock and cobblestone to sand, silt or ledges. The Main Stem Shenandoah downstream to Route 9 flows lazily through much of this float with the addition of several Class A-II rapids depending on flows. Depending on the amount of water in the river this float ranges in depth from under a foot on up to over 15 feet at the deepest point but the water depth varies constantly over an uneven bottom. Fishing is best for Smallmouth Bass pretty much everywhere depending on the season, Largemouth in the pools, Musky in deep water or ledges and channel catfish. Water Levels: 1) Avoid Floating/boating when the water levels are over 4.o feet on the USGS Millville Gage 2) Avoid Floating/boating when there are large floating objects dislodged during high water 3) Avoid Swimming in muddy or very discolored water 4) When levels are under 1.2 feet at the USGS Millville Gage this float becomes very shallow for floating/boating. Leave extra time. Wear good river shoes. Staying as Safe As Possible: River recreation carries inherent risk of injury, drowning or death. Shenandoah Riverkeeper always suggests people use one of the many river outfitters that exist along the river to rent you a tube/boat/raft and put you on an appropriate float. But for people with some experience or those who would like to venture out on their own you may wish to heed some general guidelines Including: 1) Bring much more water than you think you'll need 2) Wear your life preserver 3) Wear closed-toe secure river shoes or tennis shoes at all times 4) Don't drink water from the river 5) Bring wet weather gear even on the hottest days (long summer thunderstorms can give you hypothermia) 6) If you have an open cut or scrape keep it out of the river 7) If you get a cut or scrape from the river, clean it out very very thoroughly right away and make sure no debris/algae or dirt remains in the cut. Disinfect. Keep Dry. River infections are extremely serious. If you suspect infection is developing in a cut after having contact with the river then seek medical attention immediately - emergency care if your doctor is unavailable. Signs of river infection are increasing redness or prolonged soreness, increasing swelling, wound odor and/or fever. 8) In cool weather dress in warm layers. Never wear cotton against your skin and this includes t-shirts and jeans. 9) Be aware of where you are in the river and become familiar with what your take-out point looks like. 10) Avoid wild animals 11) If thunderstorms develop you should have a plan which usually includes finding a place that reduces your chance of being struck by lightning and/or being hit by a branch or tree in high winds. 12) Boat and fish with a partner. History: Directly upstream a rapid is made out of the stones which used to form the dam for a sawmill. Also, Furnace Creek flows into the Shenandoah here and was the site of a large iron smelting furnace called Shenandoah Furnace which began operation in 1837.