Virginia Watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay

The James River in Virginia

Virginia has some of the most scenic waterways in the United States. Not only does this water provide beauty, it is also a precious natural resource. All living things depend on water to survive. Some organisms need salt water and others need fresh water, but healthy aquatic ecosystems are incredibly important, and unfortunately their health is in decline for a variety of different reasons. In this topic, you will learn about the different water systems, or watersheds, in Virginia and the issues affecting the health of those systems.

Essential Questions

• What is a watershed, and what are the major watersheds of Virginia?
• Where do the watersheds of Virginia drain?
• Why is the Chesapeake Bay an important watershed?
• What are the environmental issues affecting the health of the Chesapeake Bay?