Kanawha River, Inland waterway in West Virginia, United States
The Kanawha River is a waterway in West Virginia that flows northwest from Gauley Bridge for approximately 97 miles to Point Pleasant. At this junction, it merges with the Ohio River at the state boundary.
Native Americans inhabited the Kanawha Valley as early as 10,000 BC, creating mounds and other earthworks that still stand today. These early settlements depended on the river as a crucial route for trade and travel.
The name comes from local Iroquoian words referring to a waterway or canoe route. Today, people use the banks for fishing and recreation, continuing a tradition tied to water transport.
The river features locks and dams throughout its course, allowing boats to navigate the waterway. Visit in spring or fall when weather conditions are mild and water levels are generally stable.
Beneath the valley lies a valuable reserve of salt brine from which minerals like chlorine, bromine, calcium, magnesium, and potash have been extracted for generations. This underground wealth became a major reason for industrial growth in the region.
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