North River (South Fork Shenandoah River tributary)

TheNorth Riveris a 55.3-mile-long (89.0 km)river in the mountains andShenandoah Valleyof northernVirginia,theUnited States.It joins theSouth RiveratPort Republicto form theSouth Fork Shenandoah River.

The North River, as seen from theWild Oak Trail

The river rises at 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above sea level in westernAugusta County,below Dyers Knob onShenandoah Mountainalong the Virginia-West Virginiaborder. From the man-made Elkhorn Lake it flows south and then east through theGeorge Washington National Forest.The river breaks out of theAllegheny Mountainsat North River Gap and flows into the broadValley of Virginia.The river passes through the town ofBridgewaterand flows southeast, joining the South River at Port Republic. TheMiddle River,a majortributary,joins the North River just west of the town ofGrottoes,four miles above the juncture with the South River.

Other towns along the river includeMount Solon,Stokesville,Sangersville,Natural Chimneys,Mount Crawford,and the village of North River.

The river is popular among canoeists, rafters and inner tubers. At one point during the 19th century barges shipped goods upstream via a canal/lock system.

Typical wildlife of the North River includes thegreat blue heron,wood duck,Canada goose,belted kingfisher,Baltimore oriole,painted turtle,common snapping turtle,largemouth bass,sun perch,catfish,eastern cottontail rabbit,white-tailed deer,raccoon,opossum,brown bats,freshwater clams,mink,tiger swallowtailandebony jewelwing.

Typical plant life of the North River includes thecardinal flower,joe-pye weed,purple monkeyflower,great blue lobelia,bulrush,yellow iris,American sycamore,cottonwood,box-elder,silver maple,Virginia bluebells,andspring beauty.

See also

• List of rivers of Virginia