Virginia’s Most Pristine Water Body
Dragon Run (35 miles of swamp at the headwaters of the Piankatank River) may be the most pristine water body in Virginia, affected least by the changes in the landscape over the last few centuries. Currently there are only about 500 residences in the watershed - but it is zoned for 40,000 housing units. The counties on the Middle Peninsula are using Geographic Information System technology to determine how to revise existing Comprehensive Plans and zoning ordinances to protect the headwaters of the Piankatank River.
A Special Area Management Planning document from the Virginia Coastal Program described Dragon Run:
- The Dragon Run is a brackish water, tidal/nontidal stream which flows forty miles through the
Virginia Middle Peninsula counties of Essex, King and Queen, Middlesex, and Gloucester. Fed by
underground springs, surface runoff and numerous feeder swamps, the Dragon Run twists and turns,
meandering through the four-county area, eventually emptying at the headwaters of the Piankatank
River. The stream, along with the surrounding Dragon Run Swamp, forms an ecologically unique
system. A system of excellent water quality and numerous and diverse species of flora and fauna. It is
characterized by dense stands of hardwoods with occasional upland ridges extending to the stream's
edge. It supports both recreational fishing and excellent game and nongame wildlife. There is very little
evidence of man's presence, essentially maintaining a primitive character throughout the entire system.
Links
Geography of Virginia
