© From "The C&O Canal" by Dorothy Camagna

Cheat Canyon, WV

Boasting the longest free-running stretch of whitewater in the eastern United States, the Cheat River attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, including whitewater kayakers, rafters and anglers. In partnership with the state of West Virginia, the Fund acquired 1,100 acres in the lower Cheat River Canyon to safeguard the area’s natural features and recreational opportunities. The Richard King Mellon Foundation and Toyota enabled the Fund to purchase the tract from Allegheny Energy. 

Regional Scorecard -

Mid-Atlantic


Acres Protected: 317,069
Fair Market Value: $589,751,436
Acquisition Cost: $434,248,541
Total Acres Conserved Since 1985: 317,069
Spotlight - Captain John Smith National Historic Water Trail

Replica of Capt. John Smith's shallopThe Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail provides an unforgettable water journey tracing American history and provide first-hand experience of the Chesapeake's rich natural resources. Read more>

Recent press
A Goodly Bay Rediscovered, Washington Post (4/23)

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