James River

The James River is a very important river in Virginia. It starts in the Appalachian Mountains where the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers meet in Botetourt County. From there, it flows for 348 miles (560 km) to the Chesapeake Bay. If you count the longer Jackson River as part of it, the total length becomes 444 miles (715 km), making it the longest river in Virginia.

Important places like Jamestown and Williamsburg, which were the first capitals of Virginia, and Richmond, the current capital, are all located along the James River. The river’s watershed covers much of Virginia and affects millions of people. It is a major source of drinking water and is one of the state’s most valuable natural resources.

History

The Native Americans living east of the Fall Line in the late 1500s and early 1600s called the James River the Powhatan River, after the Powhatans who lived there. When the Jamestown colonists arrived in 1607, they named it after King James I of England as they built the first permanent English settlement in the Americas along the river.

The river was an important route for ships bringing supplies and new settlers to colonial Virginia. In 1612, John Rolfe grew a special type of tobacco that became very popular in England. The river helped transport this tobacco from many plantations, which helped the Virginia Company of London succeed and led to more growth and new people moving to the area.

Navigation on the James River was important for trade and settling areas farther inland. However, ships could not go past present-day Richmond. Smaller boats could carry goods from places like Lynchburg and Buchanan to ports at Richmond and Manchester.

James River and Kanawha Canal

The James River was seen as a way to move goods from the Ohio Valley. The James River and Kanawha Canal was built for this purpose, with a road called the James River and Kanawha Turnpike connecting parts that the canal could not reach. But before the canal could be finished, railroads became a better way to transport goods, making the canal less useful. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was completed in 1873, which further reduced the canal's importance. Today, the railroad along the old canal path mainly carries coal to Newport News for export.

Kepone contamination

In the 1960s and 1970s, mistakes in handling a chemical insecticide caused pollution in parts of the James River near Hopewell, Virginia. This made parts of the river unsafe and caused economic problems for businesses nearby. In 1975, the governor of Virginia closed the river to fishing from Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay for 13 years while cleanup efforts began. Over time, the river's health improved.

Clean-up

Since the 1970s, the James River has gotten much healthier. In 1983, leaders from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the EPA signed an agreement to protect the Chesapeake Bay and work together to clean up the river. This agreement has helped improve the river over the years.

Watershed and course

The James River drains an area of 10,432 square miles (27,020 km²). Its watershed includes some open water and is home to about 2.5 million people. The river begins near Iron Gate where the Cowpasture and Jackson rivers meet in the Appalachian Mountains. It flows all the way to the Chesapeake Bay at Hampton Roads. The river’s tidal waters reach as far west as Richmond, showing where the landscape changes from faster, rocky streams to slower, wider waters. This change influenced how towns and cities developed in Virginia.

The James River is joined by several smaller rivers, such as the Appomattox River, Chickahominy River, Warwick River, Pagan River, and the Nansemond River. Near Newport News Point, the Elizabeth River and the Nansemond River join the James River, forming the important harbor area known as Hampton Roads. This area is a busy spot for boats that carry Virginia’s goods to and from the Atlantic Ocean.

Major tributaries

• Appomattox River
• Chickahominy River
• Warwick River
• Pagan River
• Nansemond River
• Looney Creek
• Cowpasture River
• Jackson River
• Craig Creek
• Catawba Creek
• Maury River

See also: Category:Tributaries of the James River

Recreation

The James River has many parks and fun places to visit. People enjoy activities like canoeing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and swimming along the river in the summer. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Richmond, there are rapids and calm spots great for fishing and whitewater rafting. The most exciting part for rafting is a 2-mile stretch near Richmond where the river flows over the fall line. Below Richmond, the river is good for water skiing and other boating.

The James River is also important for fishing and tourism. It is famous for its large blue catfish, often weighing between 20 to 30 pounds, with some even heavier catches. The river is also one of the last places in the Chesapeake area where Atlantic sturgeon can still be found. In 2007, a count showed 175 of these fish remained in the river.

Dams

Many dams have been built across the James River because it can help create power and make travel easier. Some of these dams are still there today.

The tallest dam is the Reusens Dam, and the longest is the Cushaw Hydroelectric Project. There is also a small structure called the "Z-Dam" in Richmond that helps direct water for the city's water treatment.

Bridges

Main article: List of crossings of the James River (Virginia)

The James River in Virginia has many bridges that help people cross it. In the Hampton Roads area, the river can be very wide, so special bridges and ferry services help cars and trucks move safely. Some important bridges include the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, and the James River Bridge.

In Richmond, there are several bridges such as the Interstate 95 James River Bridge, Mayo Bridge, and Manchester Bridge. West of Richmond, more bridges cross the river, including the World War II Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Carter Glass Memorial Bridge in Lynchburg.

Bicycles are not allowed on some bridges, like the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, but people can ride bikes on the Jamestown Ferry instead. In Richmond, bikes must stay on the sidewalk when crossing the Boulevard Bridge for safety.

James River Reserve Fleet

The James River Reserve Fleet is a special area where many old ships are kept safe. These ships, called the "James River fleet" or the "ghost fleet," are mostly merchant ships that are not in use but can be quickly ready if the United States needs them during big emergencies, like wars or big shipping problems. The fleet is looked after by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and is located in Fort Eustis, Virginia. This fleet is different from the navy’s reserve fleets, which have mostly warships.