Back River (Virginia) facts for kids
The Back River is a special kind of water body called an estuary. It's like a bay where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. This river is located in southeastern Virginia, between the cities of Hampton and Poquoson.
The Back River is formed when two smaller streams, the Northwest Branch and the Southwest Branch, join together. It's about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. This river is a very important home for many popular fish and the famous blue crab that live in the Chesapeake Bay.
Years ago, the Back River was a busy fishing spot. Local businesses used to catch lots of seafood here for canneries. This seafood was, and still is, popular all over the country! Today, people mostly use the river for fun activities like fishing or crabbing. It's also a safe place for wildlife. A piece of land called Factory Point protects the river from the big Chesapeake Bay.
Discovering the Back River
The Back River is a calm and beautiful place. It's perfect for a relaxing afternoon. You can bring a fishing rod or some crab traps and enjoy the quiet water. The river's calm waters make it a great habitat for many animals.
Where Does the River Come From?
The Back River gets its water from two main sources:
- The Southwest Branch starts as a marshy creek called Newmarket Creek. This creek flows from Newport News into Hampton. It gets much wider before it flows into the Back River.
- The Northwest Branch also begins in Newport News. It starts as Brick Kiln Creek. This creek is dammed (blocked by a wall) near the border of Hampton and York County. This dam creates a large lake called Big Bethel Reservoir. From the reservoir, the water flows into Poquoson and becomes the Northwest Branch.
The Back River Lighthouse
Once upon a time, a lighthouse stood at the mouth of the Back River. It was called the Back River Light station, or sometimes Grandview Light. This lighthouse was built in 1829 by Winslow Lewis. It cost $4,250, which was a lot of money back then!
The lighthouse was a brick tower, about 30 feet (9 meters) tall. It helped guide ships safely until 1915. After that, its light became automatic, so lighthouse keepers were no longer needed. In 1936, the lighthouse was officially closed. It was left alone and slowly fell apart. A big storm called Hurricane Flossy in 1956 finally knocked the tower down. Today, you can only see a pile of old bricks and debris near the beach where it once stood.
