THE RIVERS HISTORY

   The James River starts in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flows for 340 miles before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. It is over a mile wide in a few spots and it's depth varies from a few inches to over 100 feet, but only averages a few feet deep for most of it's area. Tributaries include the Appomattox River, Chickahominy River, Warwick River, Pagan River, Nansemond River, and Elizabeth River as well as many smaller creeks and streams. The James River was called the Powhatan River by the Native Americans who were living in the area when the first English settlers arrived. After construction of the first English settlement in the Americas at Jamestown it was renamed "The James" after King James I of England.

   During the civil war the river was the scene of numerous battles. City Point in Hopewell was the site of a Union army advance supply depot, and the headquarters of General Ulysses S. Grant's Union Armies during the seige on Petersburg from June 1864 to May 1865. On August 9,1864 shortly before noon, an ammunition ship exploded killing 43 and wounding 126. After the war, records revealed that a Confederate Secret Service Agent, John Maxwell, had set the explosion. There are still today visible reminders from the civil war all along the river such as the wing dams just below the 295 bridge, and the remains of sunken ships that lay on the bottom.

   These days the river is used for recreation as well as commerce. From Richmond northwards there are many rapids for rafting and calmer pools for fishing and swimming. The only class III rapids with a view of a city skyline in the country are in Richmond. Below Richmond the river becomes tidal as it heads east to the bay. Cargo ships and barges travel this deeper stretch of the river, and it is this area that is known for some of the best catfishing in the nation. Bass tournaments are popular on the James as well.

BRIDGES

   The Varina-Enon bridge crosses I-295 across the James near Dutch Gap in Chesterfield/Henrico County. (photo left) It is a cable-stayed bridge 4,680 feet long and 150 feet high. At the time of it's construction it was only the 2nd bridge of it's kind in the country. It's design was chosen in part to avoid having another draw bridge in shipping lanes, such as the Benjamin Harrison Bridge downriver a few miles, which was struck and severely damaged by a tanker ship, the 523ft long S.S. Marine Floridian in 1977. The ships steering failed as it rounded the bend at City Point and the captain lost control striking the north tower of the bridge. Almost half of the Benjamin Harrison bridge had to be demolished and rebuilt to repair the damage caused by the collision. Repairs took 20 months and cost over 9 million dollars. Vehicle traffic across the river was severely impared during the repairs as the bridge was the only crossing for miles.

WILDLIFE ON THE JAMES

  Both the Varina-Enon Bridge and the Benjamin Harrison bridge are also part of an award-winning peregrine falcon breeding program, and have nest boxes for the birds located on them. Osprey can also be found nesting on almost every channel marker on the river, especially around Presquile Island. (see photo left) Presquile National Wildlife Refuge is a 1329-acre island in the James River, located about 20 miles south of Richmond. The refuge was established to protect habitat for wintering waterfowl such as Canada Geese and other migratory birds. It is also home to several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles, and a large number of Whitetail deer. The deer can often be seen swimming across the river to and from the island. There is no access allowed to the island unless prior arrangements have been made with the refuge complex headquarters. Cormorants, also known by the nickname "Sub Ducks", are another common site as they dive for fish in the river. Heron, Raccoons, fox, opossums, otters, and beavers are just a few of the other animals that can be seen along the shores of the James.