Existing comment:
Roanoke Rapids Lake Trail Head:
Nearby Points of Interest:
(1) Roanoke Rapids Lake (at 0 Mile). Constructed in the early 1950s, Roanoke Rapids Lake is used for electricity production and recreation. The original Roanoke Canal continues approximately two miles west under the lake.
(2) Spans Branch Culvert (at 0.4 Mile) An original culvert made by hand by stonemasons carried Spans Branch under the canal through a stone-arch tunnel> This is one of four culverts along the canal.
(3) Power Canal Bulkhead (at 0.9 Mile) Remnants of the massive bulkhead for the "Power Canal" are located on the left. The power canal was much wider and deeper than the navigation canal and was only 8/10 mile in length. The navigation canal, on the right, was about 9 miles long.
(4) The Roanoke Canal Museum (at 1.5 Mile) Explore the rich history of the Canal and the Roanoke Valley. The Canal had one upper lock, four middle locks and, for a short time, six wooden locks at Weldon. Portions of the middle locks used to lower loaded batteaux can be seen at the museum site. |