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Hitchcock Creek
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About Hitchcock Creek River
American Rivers helped transform Hitchcock Creek in Rockingham, North Carolina into a destination for fishing, boating, and other family-friendly recreation. Until 2009, the Steeles Mill dam degraded Hitchcock Creek, blocking migrating fish and preventing the community from safely enjoying the river through recreation. American Rivers worked with the City of Rockingham and other partners to remove the dam and create a 14-mile Blue Trail.
As part of this effort, the City protected 90 acres of bottomland forest along the Blue Trail, protected 2-miles of riverside land through a conservation easement upstream of the former Steeles Mill Dam site, purchased two river access areas, and acquired a boat launch. Starting below Roberdel Dam in Rockingham, the Hitchcock Creek Blue Trail offers paddlers an opportunity to explore the area's diverse floodplain forests, historic mills remnants, and rare plants and animals.
Virtually unused prior to 2009, thousands currently paddle Hitchcock Creek every year. Rockingham now sees their Blue Trail as an economic driver for the region and recognizes that a healthy Hitchcock Creek is vital its long-term success.
Download the Hitchcock Creek Blue Trail map
Watch a video of the Steele Mill dam removal.
What to do in the area?
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