By contrast, our oldest waterway is called the New River. It formed hundreds of millions of years ago, making it one of the oldest rivers in the world. It is generally believed to be the last remaining segment of the old Teays River. As the Appalachian Mountains slowly began to rise due to continental plate collisions, the river was already flowing in its current path.

The New River was so powerful and its erosion so constant that it cut through rock at the same rate the land was being uplifted. Instead of flowing around the ridges like most rivers do, the New maintained its original, ancient path, slicing directly through the mountain chain. This continuous cutting action formed the deep, majestic New River Gorge we see today.