Virginia’s Water Features
Water and Virginia’s History
• Water features were
important to the early
history of Virginia.
• Many early Virginia
cities developed
along the Fall Line,
the natural border
between the
Tidewater (Coastal
Plain) and Piedmont
regions.
The Fall Line
• The Fall Line is where
the land rises sharply
and where the
waterfalls prevent
further travel on the
river.
Development of Cities
• Cities developed in
areas that had access
to the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Atlantic Ocean
provided
transportation links
between Virginia and
other places such as
Europe, Africa, and
the Caribbean.
Development of Cities
• Cities developed
around the mouth of
the Chesapeake Bay.
• The Chesapeake Bay
has rich natural
resources and a
natural harbor.
• Harbor – a part of
water deep enough to
anchor a ship.
Development of Cities
• Natural resources –
things that exist in or
are formed by nature.
• The Chesapeake Bay
provided a safe
harbor and was a
source of food and
transportation for
early Virginians.
Virginia’s Four Major Rivers
• All of these rivers begin in the western portion of
Virginia and flow eastward until they empty into
the Chesapeake Bay.
• The four major rivers that flow into the
Chesapeake Bay are separated by peninsulas.
• James River – Flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Richmond and Jamestown are located along the
James River.
• York River – flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Yorktown is located along the York River.
Virginia’s Four Major Rivers
• Potomac River – Flows into the Chesapeake
Bay. Alexandria is located along the Potomac
River.
*The Potomac River forms the northern
boundary of Virginia.
• Rappahannock River – Flows into the
Chesapeake Bay. Fredericksburg is located
on the Rappahannock River!
Virginia’s Four Major Rivers
• Each river was a
source of food and
provided a pathway
for exploration and
settlement of Virginia.
Lake Drummond
• Lake Drummond is
located in the Coastal
Plain (Tidewater)
region.
• Lake Drummond is a
shallow natural lake
surrounded by the
Dismal Swamp.
The Dismal Swamp
• Located in the Coastal
Plain (Tidewater)
region.
• A variety of wildlife
live in the Dismal
Swamp.
• George Washington
explored and surveyed
the Dismal Swamp.
Virginia’s Eastern Shore Peninsula
• Peninsula – a piece of
land bordered by
water on three sides.
• VA’s Eastern Shore
Peninsula is
separated from the
mainland of Virginia
by the Chesapeake
Bay!
Virginia’s Eastern Shore Peninsula
• The Eastern Shore is
a peninsula bordered
by the Chesapeake
Bay to the west and
the Atlantic Ocean to
the east.