Little Sandy Creek
(Preston County, WVa)

A.  Hazelton to Brandonville Pike                8.5 miles

Class           Grad                    Size (Area/Volume)                  Scene/Poll             Level

  II-III          31/80                            Tiny (/)                                A/A

                                                                                                                               Bruceton               

Topographic Maps: Brandonville

County Maps: Preston (WVa)

Description: The West Virginia Little Sandy (not to be confused with the Pennsylvania Little Sandy, less than 10 miles away) flows from a highland marsh near Hazelton southwest toward its confluence with the Big Sandy at Rockville. After passing through a large culvert under Interstate 68 at Hazelton the creek enters a mountaintop marsh. Scarcely 20 feet wide, the stream meanders through reeds and cattails. Soon it is split into countless tiny islands, creating a maze of slow moving water. Stay with the greatest flow. The marsh offers wild birds, snags and thickets; in the summer it probably offers mosquitoes. After leaving the marsh the stream begins to drop more quickly, flowing through a beautiful deciduous and hemlock forest. Here the stream is 25 feet wide, fast-moving, and shallow. The large strip mine on the left is unobtrusive; the banks are lined with rhododendron and show signs of beaver. The next several miles provide intermittent Class II+ rapids and several strainers that require evasive action. Near the end of the run the gradient increases and a few Class III rock gardens precede the Brandonville Pike take-out. [Reported 1985]

Difficulties: In the marsh downed trees completely block the course in several places. Since they are in slow-moving water they present little difficulty.

Shuttle: To reach the put-in, take the Hazelton exit from Interstate 68. Cross over Interstate 68 on the overpass, turn left, and drive 0.5 miles to the culverts going under Interstate 68. To reach the take-out, take Bruceton exit from Interstate 68, turn north onto West Virginia Route 26 to Brandonville (1 mile). Turn right onto Brandonville Pike and drive 2.5 miles to the bridge.

Gauges: On the Little Sandy West Virginia Route 26 bridge paddler's gauge, 4 inches is minimum. The Bruceton gauge on nearby Big Sandy Creek will probably read above 2.0 feet.

Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.

B.  Brandonville Pike                                      2.5 miles
to West Virginia Route 26 Bridge                     

Class           Grad                    Size (Area/Volume)                  Scene/Poll             Level

   B-C          18/35                            Tiny (/)                                B/A

                                                                                                                              Rockville

Topographic Maps: Brandonville, Bruceton Mills

County Maps: Preston (WVa)

Description: This is a short, flat run between two delightful whitewater sections. The scenery is pleasant and mostly pastoral but nothing memorable. There is minimal gradient and no rock structures to form any rapids. [Reported 1997]

Difficulties: none

Shuttle: From the take-out at WVa 26 go south and take a left on CR13. Go 1.4 miles to Brandonville Pike (CR 3) and turn left toward a bridge over the Little Sandy

Gauge: Rockville. A reading of 7.36 is a moderate level. Not enough data to give a low or high reading.

Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.

C.  West Virginia Route 26 Bridge                 2.8 miles
to junction with Big Sandy

Class           Grad                    Size (Area/Volume)                  Scene/Poll             Level

III-IV         32/80                            Tiny (/)                                A/A

                                                                                                                           Streamside                               

Topographic Maps: Bruceton Mills (WVa)

County Maps: Preston (WVa)

Description: This short section of Class III water provides an alternative way to reach the Class V whitewater of the Big Sandy without having to travel the 8 miles of gravel road into Rockville. The trip begins with 0.75 miles of flatwater and then becomes progressively steeper. Several complicated 4 to 6 foot sloping ledges are separated by continuous Class II whitewater. [Checked 1988]

Difficulties: The action is continuous. The water is swift and shallow. The eddies are difficult to catch. Punchable hydraulics are present at the bottom of most drops. A 36" tree is now (1988) across the river in a riverwide strainer. It has been there for several years, so it will probably still be there. Portage river right.

Shuttle: Put in at the bridge on West Virginia Route 26, about 2 miles south of Interstate 68. Intermediate boaters should take out at Rockville, or the more expert or daring can continue down the Big Sandy.

Gauges: There is a painted gauge on the abutment of the West Virginia Route 26 bridge. This gauge should read between 0.5 and 2.0 feet. The Big Sandy will be fairly high if the Little Sandy is runnable.

Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt.