Lands Acquired, Adding to Lower Big Sandy Protection

American Whitewater announced in December that thanks to paddling community donations, it has expanded on its 2024 purchase of land along the Lower Big Sandy River, buying two parcels that add protection for an additional three-quarters of a mile of river frontage. American Whitewater will donate the lands to the West Virginia Land Trust.

As described by AW: "The larger of the two purchases comprises 0.75 miles of the right bank of the Big Sandy in the core of the whitewater gorge downstream of Wonder Falls, bordering Zoom Flume, Little Splat, and Big Splat rapids. It also includes significant upland lands that benefit the scenery, water quality, and ecology of the river corridor. This parcel was slated for development, but American Whitewater worked with the developer to purchase and protect the lands. The purchase includes a trail easement to the lands from the Rockville Bridge area. 

"The smaller purchase is a parcel adjacent to Rockville Bridge, with the purpose of one-day providing public river access and parking on river-left."

The seller was Waterfront Development, which AW described as "a great partner to work with."

For More Information

"Boaters Protect More Big Sandy Lands!", American Whitewater, Dec. 10, 2025

"Participant Reflects on Historic Lower Big Sandy Deal," Cruiser March-April 2024

"Paddlers Protect Lower Big Sandy with Purchase of River Left Corridor," American Whitewater, Jan. 29, 2024