Rockfish River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockfish River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Virginia 560 feet (170 m) |
| River mouth | James River 295 feet (90 m) 37°43′58″N 78°38′43″W / 37.7329°N 78.6452°W |
| Length | 28.7 miles (46 km) |
The Rockfish River is a river in central Virginia, United States. It is about 28.7-mile-long (46.2 km). The Rockfish River is a tributary of the James River. This means it is a smaller river that flows into a larger one. Through the James River, its water eventually reaches the Chesapeake Bay. The river is named for the "rockfish" (also known as striped bass) that used to swim far up its waters.
Where the Rockfish River Flows
The Rockfish River starts in Nelson County, Virginia. It is formed when two smaller streams, the North Fork and South Fork, join together. These two streams begin high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can find them near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
From there, the river flows mostly toward the southeast. It travels through the northern part of Nelson County. As it gets closer to the James River, the Rockfish River forms the border between Nelson County and Albemarle County. Finally, it flows into the James River from the northwest. This meeting point is about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Scottsville.
Why the River is Called Rockfish
The area around the river is called Rockfish Valley. It got this name because of a special fish. Before dams were built on the James River, a fish called the rockfish (or striped bass) could swim far upstream. They would travel all the way from the bays on the coast to this valley. This journey gave the river and the valley their unique name.
