Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve |
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 Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve
Location in Virginia
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| Location | Rockingham County, Virginia |
| Nearest city | Port Republic |
| Area | 706 acres (2.86 km2) |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve is a special place in Rockingham County, Virginia. It covers about 706 acres (2.86 km2) of land. This preserve protects one of the biggest groups of sinkhole ponds in the Shenandoah Valley.
These unique ponds are found in Rockingham and Augusta counties. Their water levels change throughout the year, sometimes higher, sometimes lower.
Contents
What Makes Deep Run Ponds Special?
This preserve is home to eight sinkhole ponds. These ponds are very important because they support many rare plants and animals. It's like a special habitat for them!
Rare Plants You Can Find
Two of the ponds are home to a rare flower called Virginia sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum). Other ponds have different rare plants, such as:
- Black-fruited spikerush (Eleocharis melanocarpa)
- Northern St. John's-wort (Hypericum boreale)
- Buxbaum's sedge (Carex buxbaumi)
- Northern bog clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata)
These plants are not common, which makes the preserve a very important place to protect them.
Who Manages the Preserve?
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation owns and takes care of Deep Run Ponds. Their job is to make sure this natural area stays healthy and safe for all its rare inhabitants.
Can You Visit Deep Run Ponds?
The preserve does not have paths or visitor centers for the public. If you want to visit, you need to arrange it with a state land steward first. This helps protect the sensitive environment and its rare species.
