Charleston and the Kanawha River
A gold dome rises above the banks of the Kanawha River in Charleston, West Virginia. Beneath it, state lawmakers meet to make decisions that affect people across West Virginia. The river beside the capitol is more than a scenic backdrop. It connects the capital city to communities and waterways far beyond it.
Charleston is West Virginia’s capital and largest city. It sits in a valley where the Elk River joins the Kanawha River. Hills surround much of the city, while roads, neighborhoods, and businesses spread along the flatter land near the water. The West Virginia State Capitol stands on the north bank of the Kanawha, east of the downtown area. Its dome makes the building easy to recognize from across the river.
The Kanawha River begins where the New River and the Gauley River meet at the town of Gauley Bridge. From there, it flows generally northwest through Charleston. It continues to Point Pleasant, where it joins the Ohio River. The Ohio River eventually joins the Mississippi River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Through this network, water passing Charleston becomes part of a much larger river system.
A working waterway
- valley:
- An area of lower land between hills or mountains.
- network:
- A group of connected things.
- cargo:
- Goods carried from one place to another.
- channel:
- A part of a waterway through which water and boats can travel.
- maintain:
- To keep something in a certain condition.
- disposing:
- Getting rid of something safely or properly.
- gauges:
- Tools used to measure something, such as water level.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How do the capitol and the Kanawha River connect Charleston to other places in different ways?
- 2How does Charleston’s location affect where roads, neighborhoods, and businesses are built?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Charleston and the Kanawha River” is a explanatory article reading passage about Charleston and the Kanawha River, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (516 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.