JAMES RIVER BUFFER PROGRAM
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about the program

The James River Watershed

The James River is Virginia’s largest river, flowing across the entire state. It begins in the mountains and ends at the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads. It is 340 miles long and is fed by 15,000 miles of tributaries. The James River watershed encompasses approximately 10,000 square miles and is comprised of three sections: 

The Upper James River starts at the confluence of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers in Botetourt County and travels through the mountains to Lynchburg. Its watershed lies in the Blue Ridge and the Valley and Ridge regions of Virginia, which includes the Cities of Buena Vista, Covington, Lexington, and a small area of Roanoke; Counties of Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Highland, Rockbridge; and small areas of Giles and Montgomery. 

The Middle James River travels from Lynchburg and ends at the fall  line in Richmond. Its watershed  lies within the Piedmont region of Virginia, which includes the Cities of Charlottesville,Lynchburg, and Richmond; Counties of Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Hanover Henrico, Nelson, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Nottoway, and a small area of Louisa. 

The Lower James River runs from the fall line in Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay. Its watershed lies in the Coastal Plain region of Virginia, which includes the Cities of Colonial Heights, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; Counties of Charles City, Chesapeake, Isle of Wight, James City, New Kent, Prince George, Suffolk, and Surry. 
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A partnership program from the James River Association, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, supported by the Virginia Environmental Endowment.
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© 2020
  • Home
  • About
    • Why buffers matter
    • How the program works
    • Program partners
    • The James River Watershed
    • Resources
  • Apply
  • Volunteer
  • News
  • Contact