Beginning in low swampy terrain in eastern Prince George County, VA, the Blackwater River moves slowly southward. Its confluence with the Nottoway River forms the Chowan River at the Virginia – North Carolina border. Named for the appearance of dark slow moving water, the Blackwater River gets this color from an abundance of submerged organic material that leeches tannins into the acidic water (Virginia Places, n.d.). It’s drainage basin includes the following Virginia counties:
- Prince George
- Surry
- Sussex
- Isle of Wight
- Southampton
(USGS, n.d.)
The Blackwater River Preserve sited in Southampton County, is a notable example of old growth bald cypress swamps with some specimen trees being estimated at almost 1000 years old. Additionally longleaf pine forests, an endangered habitat formation, are characteristic of the watershed (The Nature Conservancy, n.d.). The posts to follow will explore the dendrology, native and invasive species and the cultural and regulatory landscapes that define the Blackwater River watershed.
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/watersheds/blackwater.html#one