Paddle at Presquile

First Paddle at Presquile, September 25, 2011; An early fall excursion with a group of 11 Richmonders of all ages

By Gabe Silver, JRA's Environmental Educator,  Photography courtesy of Patrick Wamsley

Expecting a September rain shower to descend on us at any moment, we embark across the lower James River near Hopewell by pontoon boat to explore Presquile National Wildlife Refuge in a new way. Under an overcast sky, we motor slowly, pushed along by a strong incoming tide, spotting great blue heron, great white egret, double-breasted cormorant, and bald eagle. We are hoping to see the rare, jolting surprise of the lower James in spring and fall - the Atlantic sturgeon leaping out of the water - but the river surface yields only the ripples of the light breeze.

Arriving at the island, we set off hiking across the upland fields and towards the recently constructed wetland walkway. The goldenrod is blooming, blanketing the wide vistas of old field habitat in yellow. Looking closer at this feast for the eyes, we spot beautiful monarch butterflies making a more literal feast of the pervasive blossom.

Moving from the upland field into the hardwood tidal swamp, we shift worlds. The pulsing call of insects surrounds us while we walk under the canopy of wetland forest. On either side of the boardwalk, dozens of species of plants like arrow arum, pickerelweed and wild rice make up a fall abundance of foliage, flowers and seeds. After a quick break, we launch canoes onto the narrow creek and weave our way towards the river. Finding passage around trees brought down by Hurricane Irene, we paddle down the meandering creek against the faintest hint of an incoming tide.

Soon we are in for a real treat. A barred owl sits just off the creek, perhaps waiting for a noonday meal to come scampering through the swamp. The owl’s camouflage is very good, and despite its size and proximity, it takes some time before the whole party sets eyes on the bird.

Saying goodbye to the owl, we find our way to the mouth of the creek. Back to the broad river, we explore the shoreline and raft the canoes together for a lunch adjacent to a marsh. A leisurely canoe-based meal is always nice, and our dining room can’t be beat, surrounded by wildflowers and water.

Soon it is time to return up the creek, stow the canoes, and hike back to the boat. A canoe full of spiders descending from an overhanging branch into the errant boat of two young fellows doesn’t stop us, and soon we are back on solid ground. We have paddled about 3 miles and hiked for 2 by the time we are back aboard the pontoon boat. The James has one last treat for us, as we watch a mature bald eagle chase a juvenile eagle across the river minutes before we hit the beach and our day is ended.

Secrets of the James - Where does the James River Begin?

by Judith Warrington, JRA's Communications Coordinator

Jackson River near Hidden Valley

One of the most frequently asked questions about the James is: Where does the river begin? Many of America’s great rivers can trace their origin to mountain ranges where they are fed by snowmelt or upland streams. The James also begins in the mountains where it claims the heritage of two other beautiful rivers. 

This mountain topography plays a major role in all rivers and in Virginia the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Front determine the direction in which its upland rivers flow. For the past 2 million years, the James River has been carrying bits of those mountains downriver, eastward to the Chesapeake Bay.

It is near the small Botetourt County town of Iron Gate, on the farm where brothers Charles and Clyde Gibson’s family has lived for generations that the James River begins, with the confluence of the Jackson and the Cowpasture Rivers. In his book, James River Reflections, author Will Daniel describes the birth of the James as seen from the air this way: “the Cowpasture River has a pure greenish color that contrasts sharply to the brown, muddy appearance of the Jackson River. Where they combine to form the James, the colors remain separated, green to the north side and muddy brown on the south side, for a mile or so downriver until they eventually merge,” Everyone should have such colorful relatives!

From its beginning in Botetourt County to Hampton Roads where it flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the James is a ribbon of history. It is called American’s Founding River because our nation began on its banks at the Jamestown settlement, but it is truly Virginia’s river, because the entire river, from its source to its mouth, is located within the state.

In 2009, Richmond Times Dispatch reporter, Rex Springston, wrote a profile of Botetourt County. You can read his article and see a photo essay of the source of the James River here.

RiverRats Come to the River’s Rescue

JRA and its James Riverkeepers are recruiting more RiverRats, the James River’s first line of citizen defense. And you could be one.

RiverRats is a volunteer program that enlists individuals to patrol a chosen section of the James River and its tributaries. The purpose of the program is to put additional eyes on the river to document potential sources of pollution, report on river hydrology and wildlife sightings. It’s the perfect opportunity for someone who loves the outdoors to take the extra step to protect a favorite waterway. A scientific background is not required and both training and water testing equipment are provided.

JRA has held RiverRat training sessions in Newport News, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Buchanan and a total of 39 RiverRats have been trained and are now on patrol. There are currently 28 RiverRats patrolling above the fall line and seven patrolling below the fall line, and more are needed. RiverRats are now covering 39 percent of the main stem of the James River. The goal is to have 100% of the river covered within the next five years.

If you’re interest in becoming a RiverRat, the next training session will be held in Williamsburg on November 5. An addition session will be held in the middle of the watershed on February 25 to fill the gaps within the main stem of the James. Check the JRA website for updates on this session. After the main stem is covered, trainings will begin to recruit volunteers to cover the major tributaries, such as the Chick hominy, Appomattox, Cow pasture, Jackson, and Maury Rivers.

Each training session includes a presentation on the State of the James that highlights the importance of the RiverRat program within the greater context of river health. Participants get an overview of the program, what is expected of them, and what JRA has to offer. They learn how to conduct a patrol and how to recognize and respond to pollution or other issues that may arise on their patrols. Working with JRA’s Riverkeepers they receive hands-on experience in taking water samples. The last portion of the training session focuses on the RiverRat Action Project, a project or event they’ll conduct that promotes the protection of a waterway in their local community. The session wrap ups by going over next steps and a discussion of which section each new RiverRat wants to cover. Then they head out with their new hat, manual, and patrol kit as a new JRA RiverRat.

By helping JRA keep watch over our waterways and inspiring their neighbors to choose clean water, RiverRats play a vital role in protecting and restoring America’s Founding River. Think you’d make a good RiverRat? Then sign up for our next training session on November 5. For more information about the RiverRats program visit the RiverRats website or contact Amber Ellis at volunteer@jrava.org or 804-788-8811 ext. 205.

Brown's Island Trash Cleanup

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

A big thank you to all the volunteers who came out to JRA's Brown’s Island Trash Cleanup on September 17^th! Thanks also to our partners Clean VA Waterways for cleaning up Belle Isle on the same day! This event was part of the 26^th Annual International Coastal Cleanup.   The chilly and overcast weather did not deter our volunteers from coming out to help clean up the James River. We had 33 volunteers, kids and adults, that collected 8 FULL bags of trash and 8 FULL bags of recycling! There were also a few interesting finds like a bicycle wheel, patio chair cushion, fireworks, and an anchor. At first glance the island looked trash free, but as we moved to the east end of the island and along the Pipeline Trail we found plenty of trash. We even had two dedicated volunteers who waded through the water to get to one of the beach islands at the popular swimming spot in front of Tredegar.

Conservation Tips - Fall is the Time to Plant

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

The hours of daylight are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler, a sure sign that fall is almost here! Anyone with a garden will be heading outside to clean up their garden for the winter. What you may not know is that this is also the best time to transplant and install new plants, especially trees and shrubs. Some perennials would rather be divided in spring, so just make sure you check before you start digging.

Take some time to walk through your garden and make note of things you would like to transplant to a new area or areas that you may want to plant something new. By planting in the fall, you will conserve water as plants are using less water because photosynthesis is slowed by the shorter days and the sun and heat are not stressing the plants. By planting in the fall, you will give the plants time to establish a healthy root system and they will emerge in the spring as stronger plants. Need another reason? Plant sales! Many nurseries and garden centers offer discounts on plants during the fall to encourage fall planting and to clear out their inventory.

Fall Planting in Virginia
Falls’ a Good Time to Move Perennials
Shrubs: Functions, Planting, and Maintenance
Planting Trees

Wildlife of the James - Golden Garden Spider

Not an Itsy-Bitsy Spider! Meet the Golden Garden Spider

by Jessica Templeton, JRA Ecology School Manager

One of the local spiders whose appearance just might stop you in your tracks is the Golden Garden Spider, or the Black-and-yellow Argiope (Argiope aurantia). The large, black spider with conspicuous yellow coloration on its abdomen can be spotted around the James River from your backyard garden to shrubby brush around the river banks.

You can spot the spider adorning its spiraling web during the daytime. It is usually positioned in the center of the web, facing downward towards the ground. The web is almost more eye catching then the brightly-colored spider with thick white zigzag patterns that vertically span the height of the spider’s orb.

There is much debate in the scientific world about why the Argiope would spend the extra energy and resources necessary to build these seemingly extraneous patterns, named stabilimenta. Originally thought to provide extra stability to the web, from which they originally received their name, this theory has since been dismissed. One study from Ohio State University suggests that the stabilimenta serve a defensive purpose, making their webs more visible to birds who may otherwise fly through and damage their creation (Oxford Journals). Recent studies also suggest that the zigzag patterns in the web may help reflect ultraviolet light acting as an effective predation tool to attract insects to their web (American Wetland Resources) While the intent is still unclear, Argiope do not always build stabilimenta into their web, suggesting that there is significant cost associated with the design that the benefits need to outweigh.

Even though the Garden Spider can be intimidating by appearance, it is a harmless bit of wildlife on the James. If startled, they will vibrate their web to make themselves appear more intimidating (Desert USA). If this doesn’t work, the spider will quickly drop off of its web and onto the ground in pursuit of a good hiding spot. Next time you spot a Garden Spider, put your mind at ease and take a moment to consider what purpose you think its distinctly patterned web may serve.

Of Storms and Sturgeon

Chuck Frederickson, Lower James Riverkeeper

Hurricane Irene—Irene certainly left her mark on the James River watershed with a huge number of downed trees and power lines. But her overall impact on the river itself seemed to be beneficial. Before the storm, I could measure light penetration in the river with a Secchi disk to around an average of 40 cm. Four days after the storm, the first day I was able to get out on the water, I was surprised to see readings of 70 cm! I got these levels at several sites from Herring Creek to Jones Neck Cut. Not a lot of sediment washing down from above Richmond, along with the big slug of water washing out the algae, lead to this situation. Nice to see, but we are back to really turbid water now after all the rain last week.

Sturgeon—The fall run of Atlantic sturgeon in the James is in full swing. So far this fall we have caught 29 sturgeon in the area near the Presquile spawning reef. As in past years, we have also seen numerous fish jumping and rolling from around Presquile up to Kingsland Reach.

Last Friday, Matt Balazik and crew from VCU caught 12 sturgeon. Ten were confirmed mature males but the most exciting catch was a female that had very recently spawned. Matt was able to extract several mature eggs from her before measuring, tagging and releasing her. Later that day a large (approximately 200 pounds) fish was caught that we believe was a gravid female, but could not confirm. That’s me with the sturgeon in the photo. Earlier this year a gravid female was caught in Burwells Bay, but this is the first one we have caught up river. I’ll be monitoring the egg mats we’ve placed on the spawning reef and give you an update.

James River Outfitters

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

Summer time is coming to an end, but you can still get out on the water and enjoy the cooler temperatures with the arrival of fall. If you don’t have your own boat or want to try something new, there are several outfitters located throughout the watershed that can supply you with everything you need in order to get out on the James River or one of its tributaries. Most of them offer trips and rentals through October.

(Listed in alphabetical order)

• James River Float Company: Located in Lynchburg and Powhatan.

• James River Reeling and Rafting: Located in Scottsville.

• James River Runners, LLC: Located in Scottsville. 

• Riverside Outfitters: Located in Richmond

• Twin River Outfitters: Located in Buchanan along the James River and in Buena Vista along the Maury River.

Tell us about your some of your favorite outfitters!