John Smith Trail

Restore the Watershed

The James River has played an integral part in shaping the development of our nation. The river has provided nourishment for over 17,000 years of human life along its banks.  Our nation has been shaped by the river’s provision of means for transportation, commerce, and industrial power, in times of peace and war.  Today residents of 39 counties and 19 cities rely on the James River as a major source of drinking water. The river remains vital to commerce, tourism, and recreation.

The James River watershed encompasses 10,000 square miles (all within Virginia) and is home to one third of all Virginians. The river flows 340 miles through Virginia’s heartland.  Every choice each one of us makes in how we use our land and water resources directly effects the water quality down the watershed from us- in our local streams, in the James River, and in the Chesapeake Bay.

The James River’s water quality, wildlife, and vitality as an economic resource have been severely compromised by human activities.  While some important improvements in the last 30 years have meant reduced toxicity in the lower James, the state still warns against all but the most minimal fish consumption.

Today sediment and nutrient pollution are two most important pollution factors in the James River. Erosion from development, unprotected stream banks, and agriculture brings sediment into the river that blocks light to underwater plants, and interfere with animal function and reproduction. Nutrients from wastewater treatment and fertilizer use cause blooms of algal growth which decay and rob the water of dissolved oxygen, killing aquatic organisms.

What you can do:

•  Join JRA and strengthen the voice for a healthy river
• Volunteer for environmental projects
• Visit JRA’s “What’s In Your Runoff?” website
• Plant a tree - Healthy native vegetation reduces erosion and runoff pollution by holding sediment together and absorbing nutrients
• Conserve energy - One-third of damaging nitrogen pollution going to the Chesapeake Bay comes from air pollution such as car emissions and power plants
• Take a child to the river
• Tell your elected officials that clean water is important to you.

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