The Hocking River Commission

Linking Fairfield, Hocking and Athens Counties through stewardship, education and recreation

A Pictorial Tour of the Hocking River

A hot summer day along the river is cool and peaceful. The Hocking has many scenic and beautiful stretches. In some places the Hocking Adena bikeway parallels the river. While fishing, boating or hiking, one can imagine the peace and beauty that once enveloped this entire watershed.		The Hocking River Commission supports preservation of scenic stretches of the river through education and the purchase of conservation easements and properties that boarder the river.
The river provides habitat for many species of wildlife including waterfowl, fish, reptiles and mammals. A diversity of wildlife indicates our watershed is a healthy place for humans, too.		The Hocking River Commission supports efforts to preserve an environment which is attractive to wildlife and therefore to those of us that enjoy photography, bird watching, hunting and fishing.
	The Hocking River is a great place for canoeing, boating and for enjoying a cool drink in the shade while the kids reel in the big ones!
Kayaking has become a popular sport in recent years and the Hocking offers an opportunity to brush up on one's skills before tackling the white water in nearby West Virginia.		The Hocking River Commission supports preserving scenic stretches of the river which offer opportunities for all types of river recreation.
Unfortunately, our river has experienced some hard times over the years. This neon green algae is a result of acid mine drainage seen in some tributaries of the Hocking. Acid mine drainage leaks from coal mines into our surface water and can kill most species of fish and severely damage water quality. Acid mine drainage is expensive and sometimes nearly impossible to clean up.		The Hocking River Commission supports efforts to clean up and prevent acid mine drainage which can damage our scenic river.
	Stream bank erosion is another problem frequently seen in our watershed. Although a natural feature of river meandering; stream bank erosion can be worsened by clearing all the vegetation and trees from the water's edge. This zone is called the Riparian Zone.	Stream bank erosion can be a costly problem to farmers and the public in general when roads bridges and buildings are threatened.
This picture shows a project to replant trees on a severely eroded bank. Projects like this not only guard against erosion and loss of valuable land; but also serve to educate landowners, the public and children about the positive impacts we can have on our watershed.		The Hocking River Commission supports protection of riparian zones by efforts to preserve natural vegetation near the river and by planting projects to stabilize already eroded areas with trees and plants.

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