The York River is the 5th largest tributary by flow and watershed area in the Chesapeake Bay. The river’s watershed area drains from the Piedmont Region and into the Coastal Plains Region into the Chesapeake Bay. The watershed covers around 2,700 square miles. The two main branches of the watershed are the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers names after the two Native American tribes that utilized the rivers for food and travel. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes have the oldest reservations in the country along the riverbanks .The York River is not only rich in history and culture but also in environmental biodiversity. The York River Watershed is a rare environment where freshwater intersects with saltwater creating a rich habitat for marine organisms and plant life. " The York River supports commercially harvested shellfish and finfish for spawning and nursery grounds as well as numerous endangered or threatened wildlife, plant and bird species,"(VIMS, 2022). The York River
Overall area (square miles or hectares) T he overall area that I estimated from my delineation was 2,696 sq. mi. According to the Center for Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute of Marine Science the York River Watershed covers about 2,700 square miles. I am confident my watershed delineation is accurate due to the very close estimations in area. Overall change in altitude from headwaters to mouth was very low due to being a coastal system. However, the watershed did boarder one larger mountain system. The highest altitude was 1,060 ft and the lowest altitude being 0 ft. The two major tributaries are the Pamunkey River and the Mattaponi River. The watershed boarders major cities such as Richmond, VA and Fredericksburg, VA. The York River lies between two other major Virginia Rivers the James River and the Rappahannock River which are also tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay.
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