This fish weir built by local Native Americans was reported as “A Pigg River Fish Weir” on several of my CD-ROM presentations. After later close examination of the color slide, I realized that it was a Banister River Fish Weir.
This type of weir is generally defined as a low dam built in a river to back up or divert water through a prepared opening for catching fish. Since I photographed this weir, many changes have taken place in the rock arrangement; that is, several groups of outdoor, nearby campers have enjoyed remodeling the dam, resulting in structural disaster — but still recognizable. This weir site is located at the Banister Cliff about two miles north of Markham along Johnson Mill Road (VA 683).
Copyright © 2005 William T. Hathaway.