Expedition of New River, actually old, is under way

The second New River Expedition, designed to remind local governments and people living near the river in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia of things they can do to protect it, began July 20 and ends this Friday. Mary Hardbarger of The Roanoke Times made part of the passage last week with members of the National Committee for the New River, which started the annual expedition last year, and filed a story for today's paper. To read it, click here. (Times photo by Justin Cook)

Despite its name, the New River is thought to be the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and younger only than the Nile. As the Appalachian Mountains rose, the river maintained its northerly course, creating scenic gorges and whitewater runs on its way to confluence with the Gauley River. The two form the Kanawha, which flows into the Ohio. For more about the river, from the committee, click here.