Pigg River facts for kids

The Pigg River is a cool waterway in south-central Virginia, in the United States. It's like a smaller stream that feeds into a bigger one, the Roanoke River. The Roanoke River then travels all the way to the Atlantic Ocean!

The Pigg River: A Virginia Waterway

The Pigg River is an important part of the natural landscape in Virginia. Rivers are like natural highways for water, carrying it from higher places down to the ocean. The Pigg River helps carry water from the mountains to the bigger Roanoke River.

Where Does the Pigg River Start?

The Pigg River begins high up on Fivemile Mountain. This mountain is located in the western part of Franklin County. From there, the river flows generally towards the east. It travels through both Franklin County and Pittsylvania County. Along its journey, it flows past the town of Rocky Mount.

Eventually, the Pigg River meets the Roanoke River. It joins the Roanoke River from the south. This meeting point is part of a large area of water called the Leesville Reservoir. A reservoir is like a big lake created by a dam. The dam on the Roanoke River holds back water, forming this reservoir.

Why is it Called the Pigg River?

Have you ever wondered how rivers get their names? The Pigg River is named after an early settler. His name was John Pigg. He came from a place called Amelia County, Virginia.

Back in 1741, John Pigg bought a large piece of land. It was about 400 acres. The river flowed right through his new property. At that time, the river didn't have a name. So, people started calling it the Pigg River after him!

Helping Nature: Dam Removals

Over the years, several dams were built across the Pigg River. Dams can sometimes block the natural flow of a river. This can make it harder for fish and other wildlife to move around.

Recently, some of these dams have been taken down. This helps the river return to its natural state. For example, in 2017, a very old power dam at Rocky Mount was removed. This dam was 100 years old! Removing it helped the river flow freely again.

One big reason for removing the dam was to help a special fish. This fish is called the Roanoke logperch. It is an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left in the world. By removing the dam, the fish have a better place to live and reproduce. Other dams were also removed, like one near Rocky Mount Veterans Memorial Park in 2013. Another one, the Wasena dam, was removed in 2009. These efforts help keep the Pigg River healthy for all its creatures.