About the James River
Exploring the History, Geography, and Health of Virginia’s Largest River
The James River is Virginia’s largest river, flowing 340 miles entirely within the state’s borders. The watershed covers approximately 10,000 square miles, nearly 25% of the state, and provides drinking water to nearly 3 million people. Known as “America’s Founding River,” the James offers a rich tapestry of American history. The waters sustain diverse wildlife, and serve as a vital economic engine and a premier destination for recreation.
Why the James River Matters to Virginia
Clean Drinking Water
The James is Virginia’s largest source of drinking water, supplying water to roughly 2.7 million people through local utilities from the mountains to Hampton Roads.
Commerce and Local Economies
The river supports industries like recreational and commercial fishing, farming, and shipping.
Outdoor Recreation and Community Life
From fishing and paddling to trails and river parks, the James is one of Virginia’s most-loved places to get outside. The watershed attracts millions of visits each year, and new public access sites continue to expand opportunities for people to enjoy the river responsibly.
Wildlife Habitat
The James supports hundreds of species of fish, birds, and aquatic life, including bald eagles, Atlantic sturgeon, and American shad.
James River Watershed Fast Facts
Geography
- The James begins at the confluence of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers in Iron Gate, Virginia.
- The James empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Hampton Roads.
- The James River is Virginia’s largest river and the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay.
- The James River watershed covers approximately 10,000 square miles, which makes up almost 25% of the state.
- The river is fed by 25,000 miles of tributaries. The largest tributaries are the Appomattox River, Chickahominy River, Cowpasture River, Hardware River, Jackson River, Maury River, Rivanna River, and Tye River.
History
- For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples lived along the James; many communities still maintain important ties to the river today.
- In 1607 the English established Jamestown on the river, and it became the main transportation and trade corridor of colonial Virginia.
- The James River was home to Virginia’s first colonial capital at Williamsburg and is home of the modern capital at Richmond.
- Learn more about the history of the James.
The River's Name
Originally, the Powhatan people called the river Powhatan (or Pauhatan) and also referred to it as the Powhatan Flu (River), naming it after their paramount chief. It was also known as the “yeoc” (a general term for river) by native groups. However In 1607, English colonists, establishing Jamestown, renamed it the James River to honor King James I of England.
Landmarks and Recreation
- The Falls of the James at Richmond drop 105 feet over seven miles. This offers a Class I to Class V rapids and represents the only white water that cuts through the heart of a major U.S. downtown area.
- The harbor at Norfolk is one of the largest and busiest in the world.
- Activities people enjoy on the river include: fishing, boating, paddle sports, and swimming. There is also walking, hiking and biking along the trails and parks that line the shores.
Wildlife Recovery
- The James is home to the ‘Great Return’ of the Atlantic Sturgeon, a federally endangered species that is spawning again in the James after long declines.
- The James hosts the largest roosting area on the eastern seaboard for bald eagles and one of the densest populations of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Hundreds of nesting pairs live along the river year-round.
- The river is a major corridor for migratory fish such as American shad, river herring, striped bass, and Atlantic sturgeon.
Population
- Around 3 million Virginians live in the watershed across 39 counties and 19 cities/towns.
- Approximately 2.7 million people, or about one-third of all Virginians, rely on the James River for their drinking water, making it Virginia’s largest source of freshwater for public consumption.
Current Health
According to the most recent State of the James report, is showing significant recovery but facing ongoing challenges from pollution.
What We Do
The James River Association (JRA) was founded in 1976 by concerned citizens living along the James River in the tidal region . Our mission is to protect the river and connect people to it, working toward our vision of a fully healthy James River that is valued by every community in the watershed.
We Connect
We believe in a “James River for All.” We increase public access to the water, host river-related events, and lead volunteer efforts to ensure everyone can enjoy and stewardship the James.
We Protect
Using science and advocacy, we monitor water quality, respond to environmental threats, and push for policy changes. We also implement on-the-ground projects that directly improve the river’s health.
Volunteer
Ready to give back to the James? Whether it’s getting your hands dirty with one of our Watershed Restoration projects, acting as a voice for the river through our Advocacy efforts or helping out with office tasks, there is a job for everyone to play a part in making a cleaner James River.
Use your time on the river to give back to its health.
We are a voice for the James, identifying the risks facing our river and sharing solutions that will produce results for clean water and healthy waterways. With so much ground to cover, we need your help.
If you live or work in the James River watershed, you can give back to its health.
We have great opportunities if you prefer working on land – or even your own backyard.
Use your time on the river to give back to its health.
We also have opportunities for individuals who enjoy time on the James. If you routinely spend time fishing, paddling, or boating the James or one of its tributaries, these are great ways to get involved!
James River Summary
The James River is recognized as Virginia’s largest river, flowing across the entire state. Its journey starts in the mountains at the confluence of the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers in Botetourt County and subsequently travels eastward until it reaches the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads.
Notably, the James serves as Virginia’s largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, the river is 340 miles long and is fed by 25,000 miles of tributaries; consequently, it is one of the longest rivers in America that begins and ends within the same state.
The James River watershed encompasses approximately 10,000 square miles, which accounts for almost 25% of the entire state. Because of this vast size, it is home to one-third of all Virginians residing across 39 counties and 19 cities and towns. Incredibly, the river touches the lives of more Virginians than any other feature in the landscape, and as a result, residents throughout the watershed rely heavily on the James for drinking water, commerce, and recreation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the river safe for swimming/fishing? How do I check conditions?
JRA collects water quality data between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Flood warnings are available year-round from USGS real time data. Fair and Caution indicators at these locations are based on Virginia Department of Health (VHD) recommendations for bacteria levels in recreational waters. Visit our James River Watch page for more information.
What are the biggest threats to the James River today?
Continued population growth, development, and climate change remain ongoing threats. Iconic migratory fish such as the American shad and the striped bass have had a dramatic decline in recent years. The invasive blue catfish, water intakes, and pollution pose consistent hazards to their survival.
Why does water quality change after rain or storms?
Heavy rain drastically increases non-point-source pollution. This is pollution, like dirt and fertilizer, that runs off fields and streets rather than coming from a single pipe. This runoff, combined with spikes in wastewater from aging pipes like Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in older urban areas like Richmond, leads to a major influx of harmful bacteria.
How healthy is the James River?
In the 2025 State of the James, JRA’s biannual report based on 18 key indicators highlighting the conditions of the James throughout the watershed, the James has received a score of “B”. Highlights include; continued progress in our restoration work through riparian buffers that have improved stream and habitat health in the Upper and Middle James along with continual improvements in wastewater management, agricultural practices, and stormwater management.
Glossary of River Terms
Watershed
The land area where all water drains into a common outlet, like the James River.
Confluence
The meeting point where two or more rivers join together (e.g., where the Jackson and Cowpasture form the James).
The Fall Line
The geologic boundary where the hard rocks of the Piedmont meet the softer sediments of the Coastal Plain, often marked by waterfalls and rapids.
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)
An older sewer system design that collects rainwater and untreated sewage in the same pipes; during heavy rain, these can overflow into the river. Both Richmond and Lynchburg have a combined sewer overflow.
Riparian Filter
A “living filter” of trees and shrubs planted along the riverbank to prevent erosion and soak up pollutants.
Powhatan Flu
The original Indigenous name for the James River, named after the Powhatan Confederacy that lived along its banks for over 16,000 years.
Anadromous Fish
Species like the Atlantic Sturgeon and American Shad that live in the ocean but migrate up the James River to spawn in freshwater.
Estuary
The portion of the Lower James where freshwater from the river mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a highly productive ecosystem.
