Nitro Boat Ramp Opens

Boaters hoping to spend the Labor Day weekend on the Kanawha River will have a new spot to launch their craft.    Construction on a new boat launch on the river at Nitro is completed and the ramp was opened to the public on Friday.

"It’s got a humongous parking lot, it’s right on the river and it’s not a real steep drop to get your boat in the river, and there’s a real nice dock to tie up to when you come in," said Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto. "We’re just really looking forward to people coming and using it."

The project has been a long term effort of Casto who sees it as a potential tool of economic development for the city.  Casto is in discussions to bring bass tournaments to the city and other events to use the launch, which provides parking for 50-trailers and vehicles.

"It was a boat launch back in World War I," said Casto. "So for the first time in 81-years, it’s now being used as a boat launch."

The effort to rehabilitate the site has taken 10 years.  The launch is on the former Artel Chemical Company site and had to undergo extensive environmental rehab before it was cleared for the construction project.