New River - The Whirlhole

Whirlhole
Standard Disclaimer, Site Description, River Temperature & Conditions, Site Access, Driving Directions, Diving Recommendations, Canoeing the New River, Emergency Management, Map, Diver's Map and Guide

Standard Disclaimer

This map and description are provided as a resource in dive planning and should not be considered a substitute for the normal planning and precautions taken by qualified divers. Dive within the limits of your training and experience.

…We're trained professionals - kids, don't try this at home…

Site Description

The Whirlhole is found in the New River a little ways downstream from Eggleston, Virginia. It is a local legend, so named because of the surface appearance of the river during high flow rates. Local lore alludes that in the past the Whirlhole was over 100' deep and once swallowed a train car that fell off the tracks adjoining the river. The hole is presently about 72' deep at a normal river stage and if anything is getting shallower due to sedimentation. It is a beautiful site both above and below the water. Above the water the Eggleston Palisades, a set of limestone cliffs, rise sharply on river right. Sycamore and willow trees grow along the banks of the meandering river. Below the water a talus slope at the base of the cliffs makes up river right. River left is a slope of sand and silt. These two slopes meet in the middle of the channel and descend downstream to the bottom of the hole. Numerous rock ledges, good visibility (for local diving), and numerous species of fish make the Whirlhole one of the best local dives.

River Temperature and Conditions

River Temperature generally starts to rise into the 40's around April and becomes pleasant, 60's, by May. Temperature climbs during the summer to approximately 80 and begins to cool again around September. Visibility is generally best in the fall once the water starts to cool again. Visibility in the New River varies from minimal to upwards of 30 feet depending upon rainfall and runoff. I have not dove the site enough to make any recommendations concerning stage and flow other than the following. You will most likely drift downstream to the site - make sure you will have enough energy to swim back at the end of the dive. A thermocline was not observed when we surveyed the site in October. Below about 40 feet a dive light is recommended.

Site Access

Access to the site is tricky due to land ownership around the site. The railroad right of way running along river right is property of Norfolk Southern and they don't like trespassing. Access along the railroad tracks should be reserved for emergencies only and with great caution as the tracks are active. The closest landowner to the site on river right is Daryl David who has graciously allowed groups from the SCUBA Club at Virginia Tech to enter the water from his property. A little farther upstream is the Gunpowder Springs Campground which has both swimming and boat access and has worked with divers in the past. On river left, upstream of the Eggleston bridge is a public boat ramp.

From Daryl's the site is about a 300yd drift or swim from the shore. From the Gunpowder Springs Campground, it is about a 500yd swim. Swimming is not recommended from the public boat ramp.

Daryl has two dogs - probably Black Labs - named Pup and Little Girl. Both of them love chicken, pork chop and other bones. Bring a few along and you'll have two friends for life.

Accessing the site by canoe is recommended as it minimizes imposition on the landowners, and minimizes the surface swim. Put in above the Eggleston Bridge, canoe to the site, anchor along river right, dive and canoe downstream to the takeout in Pembroke.

If not canoeing, be sure to minimize your imposition on the landowners by asking about access well ahead of the day you plan to dive, and trying to dive with an appropriately sized group. Remember you are a guest of the landowner who is giving you access to the river - please do everything you can to ensure continued access. A few dollars or a six pack of beer can always help things out.

Driving Directions

From Blacksburg:
Take 460W from the Pandapas Pond recreation area for 6.0 miles.
Pandapas pond is a great place to meet and consolidate into as few vehicles as possible.
Turn Left on Rt. 730, Eggleston Road just past Atkins equipment.
Follow 730 for 3.5 miles to a historical sign for Eggleston Springs.
Turn Right on Rt. 813 (Cliffview St.) before the Eggleston Bridge.
Cross over the railroad tracks - Daryl's house is at the end of the gravel driveway to the right - it is an unpainted block structure. The Gunpowder Springs campground is to your left.

To reach the Eggleston public boat ramp:
Follow 730 from U.S. 460 across the bridge.
Make the first left on Rt. 622, Eggleston River Road.
Cross the railroad tracks and bear right following Rt. 622.
The boat ramp will be on your left.

To reach the Pembroke public boat ramp:
Take U.S. 460 West from the intersection of 730 and U.S. 460.
Follow U.S. 460 West for 5.0 miles to Pembroke.
Make a left on Snidow St.
Follow Snidow St. for 0.4 miles and make a left on river road. The public boat ramp is on the left before the bridge.

Diving Recommendations

Water Surface Elevation is approximately 1700 feet making this an altitude dive - plan depths and bottom times accordingly. Canoe to the site or enter the river at Daryl's or at the campground and drift downstream until you are between the dock on river left and the rope swing on river right. Descend in the middle of the channel and you will find the bottom at about 35ft. Follow the channel downstream to the hole. The bottom contours make for an ideal profile as you can slowly ascend by moving back upstream and moving towards either side of the river to make safety or decompression stops. After resting during your stop take some time to play on the rope swing on river right before you swim upstream to the entrance point or canoe to your takeout - current is generally less near the shorelines or along the bottom.

Canoeing the New River

Canoes are available from various local outfitters or from Venture Out at Virginia Tech. It is recommended that you be a competent canoeist before trying to load a canoe up with divers and dive equipment. The recommended put in for this trip is above the Eggleston Bridge on River left. The recommended takeout is at Pembroke above the bridge on river right (however the best takeout is usually where you parked the car…)

Emergency Management

Phone Numbers

EMS: 911 - Be sure to know your location to direct emergency response. You are on the New River near Eggleston Virginia.
Giles County Sheriffs office: 540-921-3842
Divers Alert Network (Diving Incident Advice and Recompression Info.): 919-684-8111
Montgomery County Hospital: 540-951-1111
Giles County Hospital: 540-921-6000

Phone Locations

Cellular coverage in the area of the Whirlhole is unknown, however it is likely unreliable.

The nearest public phone to the Whirlhole is located at the Eggleston Post Office. To reach it:
Cross the Eggleston Bridge to the west side of the New River. Make a right on Rt. 622 (Village St.) Make your first left on Church Hill Road. The Post office and phone are approx. 150yds on the left. The phone is fr Charge, collect and emergency calls only. The description and number are Eggleston Post Office 540-626-9993.

From Eggleston, the next closest public phones are found by following 730 east back to 460 or 730 west to Rt. 100.

The phone on 460 is second closest. To reach it:
Take 730 east to U.S. 460. Make a right on U.S. 460 East.
Follow U.S. 460 East for 1.6 miles to the Marathon Gas Station on your left.

Phones may be found on Rt. 100 as well. From Eggleston take 730 West 8.7 miles to Rt. 100. Make a right on Rt. 100 North.
A Phone is located at 2.4miles on the right at a pizza buffet.

Hospital Locations

Giles County Hospital is 10 miles west on 460 from the intersection of 730 and 460. 540-921-6000
From the intersection of 730 and US 460, take US 460 west 6.4 miles to 100 south.
Follow 100 South 1.1 miles and make a left on Henson Ave.
Follow Henson Ave. for 0.4 miles and make a right on S. Buchanan St. The hospital is at the end of S. Buchanan St.

Montgomery County Hospital is 16 miles east on 460 from the intersection of 730 and 460. 540-951-1111
From the intersection of 730 and U.S. 460 follow U.S. 460 east for 15.6 miles. Montgomery Regional Hospital will be on your right.