The Roanoke River Blueway seeks to promote stewardship and appreciation of the natural and cultural resources in the Upper Roanoke River watershed through increased access, use, awareness and education, and watershed events.
Leave No Trace
Roanoke River Blueway users are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace, a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors based on seven principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
To facilitate Leave No Trace principles, Blueway users should access the Blueway only at designated access points. Most Roanoke River Blueway access points have trash receptacles and many have restroom facilities and other amenities. See the Roanoke River Blueway Access information for amenities available at each access location.
River Clean-Up and Watershed Awareness
Blueway users and other stakeholders are encouraged to help protect and improve water quality through participation in, or sponsorship of, watershed and environmental events or organizations. Annual events include:
Clean Valley Day
Recycled Regatta & Roanoke River Festival
Fall Waterways Cleanup
Earth Day Roanoke
Roanoke River Currents Watershed Conference
See the Roanoke River Blueway Facebook page upcoming events and Blueway information.
Virginia Department of Health Guidance
Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters (brochure)
VDH Issued Swimming Advisories – Frequently asked Questions
Pool and Water Safety
Recreational Water Illness
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
Waters that do not meet water quality standards are placed on a federally mandated 303(d) impaired waters list per the Federal Clean Water Act and the Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act. Impaired Waters that are impaired due to human activities require a development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) which is a reduction plan or “pollution diet” that defines the limit of a pollutant(s) that a water can receive and still meet water quality standards. Efforts are underway to address water quality in the Upper Roanoke River watershed including development of the Roanoke River Watershed Clean Up Plan (TMDL Implementation Plan).
Roanoke River Watershed Clean Up Plan (TMDL Implementation Plan – Summer 2016)
Roanoke River PCB TMDL Development (December 2009)
Bacteria TMDLs for Wilson Creek, Ore Branch and Roanoke River Watersheds, Virginia (February 2006)
BenthicTMDL Development for the Roanoke River, Virginia (March 2006)
Fecal Coliform Total Maximum Daily Load Development for Glade Creek, Tinker Creek,
Carvin Creek, Laymantown Creek and Lick Run (March 2004)
Local Government Contacts and Resources
City of Roanoke Stormwater
Public Works Service Center
1802 Courtland Road NE
Roanoke, VA 24012
540.853.5900
Roanoke County Stormwater Management
P.O. Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018
City of Salem Stormwater Information
21 S. Bruffey Street
Salem, VA 24153
540.375.3032
Town of Vinton Stormwater Quality Information
311 S. Pollard Street
Vinton, VA 24179
540.983-.605
Watershed and Environmental Groups
Friends of the Rivers of Virginia
P.O. Box 1750
Roanoke, VA 24008
540.266.0237
Upper Roanoke River Roundtable
P.O. Box 8221
Roanoke, VA 24014