Risk to Watershed

Risk to Watershed

1. Population Growth: although there are many areas of Va that have seen a decrease in growth much of the Chickahominy Watershed area has seen a growth

Population growth in Virginia is reversing decades-old trend, estimates show. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2018, from http://statchatva.org/2016/01/27/population-growth-in-virginia-is-reversing-decades-old-trend-estimates-show/

2. Sprawl: along with the above mentioned population growth comes sprawl. As towns, cities and people continue to sprawl (spread), this is leading to more and more land being used for development and less used for conservation of the watershed.

3. Pollution: 

   a. The Chickahominy River and Tributaries do not meet water quality standards for bacteria (2010 303(d) lists) https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/0/DEQ/Water/TMDL/chickip1.pdf

    b.  Sources of  Pollution:

        I.  Failing septic systems, straight pipes, sewer overflows 

        II. Pet waste

        III. Livestock crossing streams 

        IV. Bacteria running off the land during rain events 

4. Impermeable Surfaces: with the population growth and sprawl more and more land is being covered in roads, buildings and other impermeable surfaces. These surfaces create runoff that carries debris and other pollutants into the watershed.  These impermeable surfaces do not allow the environment's natural cleaners to work. By not allowing the soils to filter the water before making into the watershed it is allowing the watershed to become polluted. 

5. Dams: See Environmental Impacts of Dams. These dams are built by humans and, within the Chickahominy Watershed, beavers. 

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.virginiaplaces.org/watersheds/fishpassage.html

    
 

Beavers: Dam Good For Songbirds. (2008, October 09). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081008151316.htm