At Charleston, the Kanawah, is joined by the Elk River.[3] In its course, the Teays River cut across the folded Appalachians, a remarkable feature. The valley varies in width, from 0.75 to 1.25 miles (1.21 to 2.01 km), an average of 1 mile (1.6 km). A mile wide valley can be observed without a stream 30 miles (48 km) from St. Albans to Huntington.