Blackwater River (Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackwater River |
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The Blackwater River is the northernmost of the Albemarle Sound river system.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Prince George County 37°10′49″N 77°22′54″W / 37.18028°N 77.38167°W |
| River mouth | Chowan River 36°32′38″N 76°54′58″W / 36.54389°N 76.91611°W |
The Blackwater River is a cool river in southeastern Virginia. It starts near Petersburg, Virginia and flows for about 105 miles (170 km). This river runs through a flat, low area called the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Blackwater River eventually meets the Nottoway River. Together, they form the Chowan River, which then flows into Albemarle Sound. Where the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers meet, it marks the border between Virginia and North Carolina.
Contents
What is a Blackwater River?
The Blackwater River is a special type of river called a blackwater river. Its water looks clear but is dark, like tea. This color comes from natural plant materials, called tannins, that stain the water. The river's water is also a little bit acidic.
The area around the river, called its drainage basin, has many swamps. The land next to the river, known as its flood plain, is mostly covered in forests and swamps. You can find tall bald cypress and tupelo trees here. The upper part of the Blackwater River is even called Blackwater Swamp. Even though it's called a "swamp," it still acts like a river, with water flowing from one end to the other.
Where Does the River Flow?
The Blackwater River begins in several swamps near the city of Petersburg, Virginia. It flows southeast through Prince George County. Here, it's known as Blackwater Swamp.
Later, it forms part of the border between Surry County and Sussex County. As it flows, smaller streams, called tributaries, join it. These include Warwick Swamp, Otterdam Swamp, Coppahaunk Swamp, and Cypress Swamp.
In southern Surry County, the river turns south. It then forms the border between Isle of Wight County and Southampton County. More tributaries like Terrapin Swamp and Seacock Swamp add to its flow.
The city of Franklin is on the west side of the river. This is as far as larger boats, like steamboats, could travel upstream in the past. Smaller boats, like canoes, can still go further up the river today.
South of Franklin, the Blackwater River continues to form the border between Southampton County and Suffolk.
About nine miles (14 km) south of Franklin, the Blackwater River meets the Nottoway River. This meeting point is right on the border between Virginia and North Carolina. When these two rivers join, they create the Chowan River. The Chowan River then flows south into Albemarle Sound.
The Blackwater River's watershed (the area of land that drains into it) covers parts of three cities and five counties in Virginia. These include Franklin, Petersburg, Suffolk, and the counties of Isle of Wight, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex.
Amazing Nature and Wildlife
The Blackwater River is famous for its unique natural areas. Its dark, tannin-stained waters are home to many plants and animals.
- Pocosins: The river area has special wetlands called pocosins. These are like boggy areas found on higher ground between swamps. The Blackwater River is one of the only places in Virginia with a rare type called "streamhead pocosin."
- Ancient Forests: You can find very old forests along the river, especially those with bald cypress and tupelo trees. Many of these forests were cut down long ago, so finding old ones is rare. The Blackwater River Preserve protects one of the oldest bald cypress and tupelo swamp forests in the South. Some trees there are up to 800 years old! The biggest known water tupelo tree in the United States is in Isle of Wight County, standing 95 ft (29 m) tall.
- Rare Pine Forests: Another special forest type found here is the Longleaf Pine and Mixed Pine Flatwoods. These forests used to be common but are now rare in Virginia. The Blackwater Ecological Preserve near Zuni, Virginia protects one of these areas.
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker: The rare Red-cockaded woodpecker lives in these pine forests. The Blackwater River is the northernmost place where this woodpecker can be found.
- Amphibians and Reptiles: Many species of reptiles and amphibians depend on the longleaf pine ecosystem. The Blackwater River is one of the few places in Virginia with over thirty different kinds of amphibians.
The beautiful old forests and wetlands along the Blackwater River make it a popular spot for canoeing and enjoying nature.
Fishing Fun
The dark, tannin-stained waters of the Blackwater River are great for fishing!
- Spring Fishing: In the spring, you can catch striped bass, river herring (alewives and blueback), and American and hickory shad. Fishing for redbreast sunfish, also called "red throats," is also very good in the spring.
- Other Fish: The river also has largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, flier, and chain pickerel. You might also find bowfin and gar, especially in the lower parts of the river. Catching bowfin can be a lot of fun because they fight hard! You might even catch a huge one over ten pounds.
When you go fishing or boating, you might see lots of wildlife like whitetail deer, many kinds of waterfowl (ducks, geese), raccoons, squirrels, and unique reptiles and amphibians.
Canoeing and Kayaking
The Blackwater River is a wonderful place for canoeing and kayaking. You don't need any special permits to enjoy the river.
- Access Points: You can find boat ramps at Routes 611 (Joyner's Bridge Rd) and 603 off Route 258 in Isle of Wight County. A new double-lane boat ramp with paved parking opened in the City of Franklin in 2007.
- Canoe Access: You can also get to the river from Rt. 619 (Burdette), Rt. 189 (S. Quay), and Rt. 620 (Broadwater Br.). Just be careful about parking rules. If you use Rt. 620, it's a good idea to talk to the landowner across the street.
A Look Back in Time
The Blackwater River played an important role in the early history of Virginia.
- Early Transportation: In the 1600s and 1700s, the Blackwater River was a key travel route. It connected settlements near the Chesapeake Bay with those further south in the Albemarle Settlements. It was one of the few rivers in colonial Virginia that didn't flow into Chesapeake Bay.
- Colonial Boundary: In 1646, after a war, a peace treaty was signed between the Virginia colony and the Powhatan Native American group. This treaty set the Blackwater River as a boundary between the colony and Native American lands. For many years, settlers were not allowed to cross this line. If they did, they could face serious trouble.
- South Quay Port: By the early 1700s, people started living along the upper Blackwater River and using it for travel and trade. A place called South Quay, a few miles downriver from Franklin, became an important trading port. It was a busy place where goods like tobacco and pork were stored and shipped. South Quay even built two ships, the Caswell and the Washington, to help defend the coast during the American Revolutionary War in 1777-1778. However, in 1781, British forces destroyed South Quay, ending its commercial activity.
- American Civil War: During the American Civil War, the Blackwater River became a dividing line. It separated areas controlled by the Union army from those held by the Confederate army. Many enslaved people took the chance to escape across the Blackwater River from Southampton County to find freedom.
When the River Floods
Because the Blackwater River collects water from a large area, heavy rainfall can sometimes cause it to flood. This happens quickly in places like Zuni, Virginia (near U.S. Route 460) and in the city of Franklin, Virginia. Unlike the swampy areas upstream, the river's channel is narrower in these spots, so the water rises fast. This happened during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and again in 2006 after a big storm.
Images for kids
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The 1646 Treaty line, showing the Blackwater River as a frontier.
