Kanawha River, a river formed by the junction of the New and Gauley rivers in south-central West Virginia. It flows northwest for 97 miles (156 km), passing by Charleston, and empties into the Ohio River at Point Pleasant. The Kanawha flows through a hilly region, and its valley is an important transportation route. The adjacent area is rich in coal, natural gas, and salt. The Charleston area is a major chemical manufacturing region.