There was a UMCP MA thesis I read quite a few years ago, that analyzes the Patawmack Canal company and discusses the traffic it carried.  The company constructed five (if I recall correctly) "skirting canals" around the various rapids in the Shenandoah and Patomac rivers.  That thesis described a fairly considerable seasonal traffic that originated in the Shenandoah Valley.  The company lost money, but it nonetheless facilitated a lot of travel, apparently in extended canoe-like vessels that could handle several large casks.  

I would imagine you could find a copy of the thesis at the University of Maryland library; it may also be available via University Microfilms.  The copy I read was in the library of Great Falls National Park--so you might be able to track it down via the National Park Service.  Great Falls park used to have on display in their visitor center a "batteax," but it was from the James River canal, and (again, if I remember correctly) post-dates the Patawmack canal.

Sorry I can not be more precise!

All best,
Kevin
___________________________
Kevin R. Hardwick
Associate Professor
Department of History, MSC 8001
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
________________________________________
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Bill Crews [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 5:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: navigable rivers west of the Blue Ridge

does anyone know the extent to which any of the rivers in the Shenandoah Valley
were used for travel or commerce in the Colonial era? Relatedly is anyone
familiar with a source -- ideally a primary one -- for what kinds of craft were
used on these rivers?

Bill



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