Overview:
The Appomatox is a historic Piedmont river originating just east of Appomattox Courthouse, site of the end of the Civil War. It continues eastward, running parallel to before joining the James east of Petersburg. The Appomatox has many miles of mostly flat water before entering the massive Lake Chesdin. Below Lake Chesdin, it cascades across the Fall Line throughPetersburg. Although the lack of established put ins and lack of whitewater make the Appomattox less interesting than the James in Richmond or South/North Anna, the Appomattox still makes an enjoyable trip for people who live near it, have run the Richmond section of the James many times, or don't have enough water to run the whitewater sections of smaller rivers in the area. Regrettably, uncontrolled and unplanned sprawl in Chesterfield, Powatan, and Amelia threatens water quality and views of the Appomattox.
Recommended Trips:
- Rt 681 to Rt 609:¾ day trip
- Genito Rd/Rt 604 to Route 360: ¾ day trip
Directions to Put Ins and Take outs:
View Appomattox River in a larger map
Rt 681: The put in at a trestle bridge on Rt 681/Clementown Road has easy, non-posted put ins on the north and south side of the road on the east side of the bridge. Either option has a short drag through grass/leaves down to the river with roadside parking. The ease of this put in makes the Rt 681 to Rt 609 run preferable to the Rt 609 to Rt 604 run.
Rt 609: There is roadside parking approximately 40 yards north of the river, and a relatively easy put in by dragging one's boat through the woods. Unfortunately, Powatan's finest use this area as a dumping ground for refrigerators and tires.
Genito Rd/Rt 604: The
Route 360: After passing through the interminable sprawl of
Sections of river to run:
Rt 681 to Rt 609: This 12.5 mile run is very remote, considering its proximity to aspiring sprawl. Only two buildings, one house and one silo, are visible during the run, even in winter without foliage. Wildlife is abundant, particularly pileated and red bellied woodpeckers. There are a couple rock outcroppings and numerous hunting stands. The banks are completely forested, and only a couple fields are within view of the river. Forest cover is primarily oak, river birch, beech, sycamore, and, along the river banks, ironwood. Several small streams along the way have been dammed by beavers, and the numerous slides attest to the healthy beaver population. This trip takes as few as 3 hours if a pair of canoeists is paddling the entire time (probably only in cold weather), or could take all day at a more leisurely pace.
Rt 609 to Genito Road: This is an attractive, remote stretch of river with an extraordinary amount of wildlife. The water is flat but moves fairly quickly, so with relaxed paddling and breaks the trip will take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. The Amelia State Wildlife Management Area lines much of the right side of the river, so wear blaze orange if paddling during hunting season. There are some attractive woods to explore on this state-owned land, including what appear to be remains of fortifications and an old home site on a hill near the river. Toward the end of this trip you will see a white house, and shortly downstream a small dock on the right. From this dock you can walk 1/4 mile up a small stream to the lake in the Wildlife Management Area. This meadow near the dock is a nice place to take a break and explore, particularly if it is a Sunday and people aren't hunting. I would not recommend walking around in the woods on a Saturday in hunting season.
Genito Rd/Rt 604 to Route 360: This is a pleasant day trip for residents of the
