Moormans River facts for kids
The Moormans River is a stream in central Virginia, United States. It is about 14.3 miles (23 kilometers) long. This river flows into the South Fork of the Rivanna River. From there, its waters travel through the Rivanna and James rivers. Eventually, they reach the Chesapeake Bay. The Moormans River is an important part of this large water system.
How the Moormans River Got Its Name
The Moormans River has had a few names over time. It was sometimes called the Moorman's River. In 1933, the United States Board on Geographic Names officially decided on "Moormans River."
The river is named after Charles Moorman. In 1735, he received a special land grant. This grant was for 400 acres (about 1.6 square kilometers) of land. His land was located in what was then Goochland County. It was right where the Mechum River met the river we now call the Moormans River.
Where the River Flows
The Moormans River flows entirely within northwestern Albemarle County. It begins high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, it starts as two separate streams. These are called the north fork and the south fork. Both of these forks flow through Shenandoah National Park.
The two forks meet together in a small reservoir. This reservoir helps supply water to the city of Charlottesville. After leaving the reservoir, the river generally flows towards the east.
The Moormans River then joins with the Mechums River. Together, they form the South Fork of the Rivanna River. This meeting point is about 7 miles (11 kilometers) northwest of Charlottesville. The largest stream that flows into the Moormans River is the Doyles River.
