Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel the stream clean up scheduled for this Saturday August 19th. The river is running high and murky due to recent rains. It is difficult and unsafe to remove trash when the river is not clear. Thank you for supporting the West Fork!
Category Archives: News
Plant Spotlight: Buttonbush
Have you noticed any round, white flowers blooming along the West Fork? In mid to late summer, buttonbush blooms distinct creamy white ball-shaped flowers. Even into late fall and winter, these seed balls can still be easily recognized. Buttonbush is a common shrub found in wet areas near streams and in wetlands. Numerous types ofContinue reading “Plant Spotlight: Buttonbush”
Working to Improve Water Quality
Water is our most precious resource. Water sustains all live on Earth, and we can’t live without clean water. The Guardians of the West Fork, WVU Water Research Institute, WV Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners have worked to improve water quality in the West Fork watershed for over two decades. Acid mine drainage,Continue reading “Working to Improve Water Quality”
Riffles & Pools
Have you ever spent time along a river and noticed how most rivers change along their course? Oftentimes, rivers display alternating patterns of calm flatwater and turbulent faster moving water. This pattern is not by accident. Learning to read the river can help you navigate the channel while paddling, or help you know where toContinue reading “Riffles & Pools”
Worthington to Monongah Community Float
Thank you to everyone that joined us on Saturday for a float from Worthington to Monongah. We had 17 floaters from Fairmont, Morgantown, Clarksburg, Lost Creek, and Jane Lew join us. We had beautiful weather as we took in the sights and sounds along the West Fork. The first half of the float takes paddlersContinue reading “Worthington to Monongah Community Float”
Paddle Groups of the Monongahela Watershed
The flatwater rivers of North-Central West Virginia provide excellent paddling opportunities. The major tributaries (West Fork, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, and Cheat Rivers) and the Monongahela River are a hot-spot for water based recreation. Community members in Fairmont and Morgantown started their own social paddle groups to take advantage of the abundant recreational opportunities. The FairmontContinue reading “Paddle Groups of the Monongahela Watershed”
Speckles in the Night
In the midst of summer when dusk arrives and the coolness brings relief to the hot day-time temperatures, glowing speckles of light emerge out of the darkness. Known as fireflies, lightening bugs, or glowworms, these small critters are a favorite summer past time. Did you know there are different types of fireflies, each with theirContinue reading “Speckles in the Night”
Fish Tales from the Fork
By Matt Boring The West Fork River is some of the best small mouth bass fishing in the state. When people ask why I fish the river so much, I simply reply you never know what you’re going to catch. I have caught musky, small mouth, drum, catfish, rock bass, largemouth, and carp all inContinue reading “Fish Tales from the Fork”
Guardians of the West Fork sponsors ‘pop-up paddle’ excursion every Thursday
This week’s pop-up paddle featured in the Exponent Telegram
United Way Day of Action Event Recap
By Jessica Bryzek The Tygart Valley United Way hosted 35 volunteer projects as part of the annual United Way Day of Action. The Fairmont Floatilla, a recreational paddle group based in Fairmont, hosted a stream clean up on the Monongahela River near Palatine Park. Members from the Floatilla, along with members from the Morgantown AreaContinue reading “United Way Day of Action Event Recap”