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0 yao KING GEORGE COUNTY Coastal Zone k@ Information TIDAL-MARSH INVENTORY Center & Special Report No. -Ga in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering Kenneth A. Moore PAM., "4C '4 ft fIs IMP 4 @N 1A QH 301 .V852 VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE iL no.63 Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 JULY1975 KING GEORGE COUNTY TIDAL MARSH INVENTORY Special Report NO 63 in applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering Kenneth A. Moore U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413 Property of CSC Library Gene M. Silberhorn, Project Leader VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 Dr. William J Hargis, Jr., Director July 1975 Acknowledgments Funds for the publication and distribution of this report have been provided by the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Coastal Zone Management, Grant No. 04-5-158-50001, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Gene.M. Silberhorn. His invaluable guidance and assistance made this report possible. I wish also to thank Mr. James Mercer for his field assistance and Mr. Larry L. Pater, former Chairman of the King George County Wetlands Board, for his help in mapping the wetlands located within the Dahlgren Weapons Station. Thanks also to Dr. William J. Hargis, Dr. Michael E Bender, Miss Christine Plummer, Col. George Dawes, Mr. Thomas Barnard, Mr. James Mercer, and Mr. John Pleasants for their constructive criticisms and suggestions. For assistance in the preparation of this report I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Gilley for the cover design and map illustrations. Thanks also to Mr. William Jenkins for photographic assistance. Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Rhonda Payne and Miss Christine Plummer for typing the various drafts and final manuscript. A )',I King George County Tidal Marsh Inventory Page Acknowledgments ................................... i Introduction ...................................... 1 Methods ..... .. 2 "a ... @i'a ........................ 3 Marsh Types an Ev u tion ........................ Marsh Types and Their Environmental Contributions ................................. 5 Evaluation of Wetland Types ....................... 8 Marsh Plants ...................................... 12 Glossary of Descriptive Terms ..................... 14 Reference Map to Wetland Sections ................. 17 Section I. Rosier Creek and Potomac River .......................... 18 Section II. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River ........................ 22 Section III. Potomac River, Chotank Creek, Potomac Creek ....................... 36 Section IV. Rappahannock River ................... 45 Index to Marsh Locations .......................... 57 Introduction This publication is the seventh in a series of marsh inventory reports compiled by the Wetlands Research Section, Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The six previous reports that have been published are: Lancaster County, Mathews County, York County and Town of Poquoson, Northumberland County, Stafford County, Prince William County. This report is presented in much the same format as the preceeding reports. Under Section 62.1-13.4 of the Virginia Wetlands Act, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is obligated to inventory the tidal wetlands of the Commonwealth. The inventory program is designed to assist wetlands boards, cities, counties, planning districts and other local, state and federal agencies as well as the general public and private industry. A recently published study, Guidelines for Activities Affecting Virginia Wetlands, Silberhorn, Dawes and H-a-rd, 1974. 1 SRAMSOE No. 46) will be@helpful in the utilization of this report. Excerpts from the above document explaining marsh vegetation types and their evaluation, are included in the following text. The recommendations submitted in the above publication have been adopted and promulgated by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in booklet form. Titled Wetlands Guidelines, it may be obtained from VMRC, 2401 West Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607. It is our desire that this inventory report and the marsh guidelines study will be useful to those concerned with this valuable resource. Methods Aerial photographs and topographic maps (U.S.G.S.) were utilized to obtain wetland locations, wetland boundaries and patterns of marsh vegetation. Acreages and wetland boundaries were substantiated by observations on foot, by boat and by low level overflights. Individual plant species percentages are quantitative estimates of coverage based on visual field inspections of every marsh. In some instances, especially in tidal freshwater areas, these percentages are subject to seasonal bias. Marshes one quarter of an acre or larger are designated by number. Many marshes smaller than one quarter acre (usually narrow fringing marshes) are designated by the same symbol (shaded) as the larger marshes on the section maps. Small marshes (less than one acre) are exaggerated and are not indicated to scale. Information such as individual marsh acreage, plant species percentage and acreage, marsh type, and other observations are recorded in tabular form. Plant species percentages are recorded to the nearest percent, and acreages to the nearest tenth of an acre. In those instances where an individual plant species is estimated to amount to less than 0.5 percent or 0.05 acre, the symbol (-) is used to indicate a trace amount. In unusual situations where an individual marsh is estimated to contain 50 percent or more of a species that is not listed as a marsn type, the closest applicable marsh type is used. For example, a marsh which is judged to contain 60 percent wild rice would be listed as Type XI (Freshwater Mixed). This inventory report is organized into four sections. Each section attempts to describe one creek-marsh drainage system or significant length of shoreline. Section I includes the section of King George County shoreline in Rosier Creek. Section II covers the Upper Machodoc Creek drainage including Deep Creek, Williams Creek, and nearby Gambo Creek. Section III covers most of the Potomac River shoreline. Section IV covers the Rappahannock River shoreline within King George County. 2 Marsh Types and Evaluation For a better understanding of what is meant by marsh types, some background information is required. The personnel of the Wetlands Research Section have classified twelve different common marsh types in Virginia, based on vegetational composition. These marsh types have been evaluated according to certain values and are recorded in the Guidelines report. The following is a brief outline of -the wetland types and their evaluation as found in that publication: 11T t is recognized that most wetlands areas, with the exception of the relatively monospecific cordgrass marshes of the Eastern Shore, are riot homogenously vegetated. Most marshes are, however, dominated by a major plant. By providing the manager with the primary values of each community type and the means of identification he then has a useful and convenient tool for weighing the relative importance of each marsh parcel. in Virginia, many wetlands management problems involve only a few acres or a fraction of an acre. The identification of plant communities permits the manager to evaluate both complete marshes and subareas within a marsh. "Each marsh type may be evaluate'" in accordance with five general values. These are: "1. Production and detritus availability. Previous VIMS reports have discussed the details of marsh production and the role of detritus which results when the plant material is washed into the water column. The term "detritus" refers to plant material which decays in the aquatic system and forms the basis of a major marine food web. The term "production" refers to the amount of plant material which is produced by the various types of marsh plants. Vegetativ@e production of the major species has been measured and marshes have been rated in accordance with their average levels of productivity. If the 6-r-oduction is readily available to the marine food web as detritus, a wetlands system is even more important than one of equal productivity where little detritus results. Availability of detritus is generally a function of marsh elevation and total flushing, with detritus more available to the aquatic environment in the lower, well-flushed marshes. 3 "2. Waterfowl and-wildlife utilization. Long before marshes were discovered to be detritus producers, they were known as habitats for various mammals and marsh birds and as food sources for migratory waterfowl. Some marsh types, especially mixed freshwater marshes, are more valuable because of diversity of the vegetation found there. "3. Erosion buffer. Erosion is a common coastal problem. Marshes can be eroded, but some, particularly the more saline types, are eroded much more slowly than adjacent shores which are unprotected by marsh. This buffering quality is derived from the ability of the vegetation to absorb or dissipate wave energy by establishing a dense root system which stabilizes the substrate. Generally, freshwater species are less effective than saltwater plants in this regard. "4. Water quality control. The dense growth of some marshes acts as a filter, trapping upland sediment before it reaches waterways and thus protecting shellfish beds and navigation channels from siltation. Marshes can also filter out sediments that are already in the water column. The ability of marshes to filter sediments and maintain water clarity is of particular importance to the maintenance of clam and oyster production. Excessive sedimentation can reduce the basic food supply of shellfish through reduction of the photic zone where algae grows. It can also kill shellfish by clogging their gills. Additionally marshes can assimilate and degrade pollutants through complex chemical processes, a discussion of which is beyond the scope of this paper...." "5. Flood buffer. The peat substratum of some marshes acts as a giant sponge in receiving and releasing water. This characteristic is an effective buffer against coastal flooding, the effectiveness of which is a function of marsh type and size. 4 "Research and marsh inventory work accomplished by VIMS.personnel indicate that 10 species of marsh vegetation tend to dominate many marshes, the dominant plant depending o 'n water salinity, marsh elevation, soil type and other factors. The term "dominant" is construed to mean that at least 50% of the vegetated surface of a marsh is covered..by a single species. Brackish and freshwater marshes often have no clearly dominant species of vegetation. These marshes are considered to be highly valuable in environmental terms." Marsh Types and Their Environmental Contributions (Edited from Guidelines for Activities Affecting Virginia Wetlands) Type I Saltmarsh Cordgrass Community a. Average yield 4 tons per acre per annum. (optimum growth up to 10 tons per acre.) b. Optimum availability of detritus to the marine environment. C. Roots and rhizomes eaten by waterfowl and stems used in muskrat lodge construction. Also serves as nesting material for various birds. d. Deterrent to shoreline erosion. e. Serves as sediment trap and assimilates flood waters. Type II Saltmeadow Community a. 1-3 tons per acre per annum. b. Food (seeds) and nesting areas for birds. C. Effective erosion deterrent. d. Assimilates flood waters. e. Filters sediments and waste material. 5 Type III Black Needlerush Community a. 3-5 tons per acre per annum. b. Highly resistant to erosion. C. Traps suspended sediments but not as effective as Type II. d. Somewhat effective in absorbing flood waters. Type IV Saltbush Community a. 2 tons per acre per annum or less b. Nesting area for small birds and habitat for a variety of wildlife. C. Effective trap for flotsam. Type V Big_Cordgrass Community a. 3-6 tons per acre per annum. b. Detritus less available than from Type I. C. Habitat for small animals and used for muskrat lodges. d. Effective erosion buffer. e. Flood water assimilation. Type VI Cattail Community a. 2-4 tons per acre per annum. b. Habitat for birds and utilized by muskrats. C. Traps upland sediments. Type VII Arrow Arum-Pickerel Weed Community a. 2-4 tons per acre per annum. b. Detritus readily available to marine environment. C. Seeds eaten by wood ducks. d. Susceptible to erosion from wave action and boat wakes, particularly in winter months. 6 Type VIII Reed Grass Community a. 4-6 tons per acre per annum. b. Little value to wildlife except for cover. C. Invades marshes and competes with more desirable species. d. Deters erosion on disturbed sites. Type IX Yellow Pond Lily Community a. Less than 1 ton per acre per annum. b. Cover and attachment site for aquatic animals and algae. C. Feeding territory for fish. Type X Saltwort Community a. Less than 0.5 tons per acre per annum. b. Little value to aquatic or marsh animals. Type XI Freshwater Mixed Community a. 3-5 tons per acre per annum. b. High diversity of wildlife. C. High diversity of wildlife foods. d. Often associated with fish spawning and nursery grounds. e. Ranks high as a sediment trap and nursery grounds. Type XII Brackish Water Mixed Community a. 3-4 tons per acre per annum. b. Wide variety of wildlife foods and habitat. C. Deterrent to shoreline erosion. d. Serves as sediment trap and assimilates flood waters. e. Known spawning and nursery grounds for fish. 7 Evaluation of Wetland Types (From Guidelines for Activities Affecting Virginia Wetlands) For management purposes, the twelve types of wetlands identified above are grouped into five classifications based on the estimated total environmental value of an acre of each type. Group One: Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Type I) Arrow Arum-Pickerel Weed (Type VII) Freshwater Mixed (Type XI) Brackish Water Mixed (Type XII) Group One marshes have the highest values in productivity and wildfowl and wildlife utility and are closely associated with fish spawning and nursery areas. They also have high value as erosion inhibitors, are important to the shellfish industry and valued as natural shoreline stabilizers. Group One marshes should be preserved. Group Two: Big ','-ordgrass (Type V) Saltmeadow (Type II) Cattail (Type VI) Group Two marshes are of only slightly lesser value than Group One marshes. The major difference is that detritus produced in these marshes is less readily available to the marine environment due to higher elevations and consequently less tidal action to flush the detritus into adjacent waterways. Group Two marshes have very high values in protecting water quality and acting as buffers against coastal flooding. These marshes should also be preserved, but if development in wetlands is considered to be justified it would be better to alter Group Two mar@3hes than Group One marshes. 8 Group Three: Yellow Pond Lily (Type IX) Black Needlerush (Type III) The two marshes in the Group Three category are quite dissimilar in properties. The yellow pond lily marsh is not a significant contributor to the food web but it does have high values to wildlife and waterfowl. Black needlerush has little wildlife value but it ranks high as an erosion flood buffer. Group Three marshes are important though their total values are less than Group One and Two marshes. If development in wetlands is considered necessary, it would be-better to alter Group Three marshes than Groups One or Two. Group four: Saltbush (Type IV) The saltbush community is valued primarily for the diversity and bird nesting area it adds to the marsh ecosystem. To a lesser extent it acts as an erosion buffer. Group Four marshes should not be unnecessarily disturbed but it would be better to concentrate necessary development in these marshes rather than disturb any of the marshes in the preceding groups. Group Five: Saltwort (Type X) Reedgrass (Type VIII) Based on present information Group Five marshes have few values of any significance. While Group Five marshes should not be unreasonably disturbed, it is preferable to develop in these marshes than in any other types. 9 For a better understanding of Virginia's Wetlands in general, the Wetlands Act of 1972 and marsh types and their evaluation, the following publications are recommended: Coastal Wetlands of Virginia Y-nterim Report No. 3 Guidelines for Activities Affecting Virginia's Wetlands Specia Report in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering No. 46 Gene M. Silberhorn, George M. Dawes, Thomas A. Barnard, Jr., June 1974 Virginia Institute of Marine Science Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 Local Management of Wetlands Environmental Considerations Special Report in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering No. 35 Kenneth Marcellus, George M. Dawes, Gene Silberhorn, June 1973 Virginia Institute of Marine Science Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 Coastal Wetlands of Virginia Interim Report No. 2 Special Report in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering No. 27 Kenneth Marcellus, July 1972 Virginia Institute of Marine Science Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 10 Coastal Wetlands of Virgin ia Interim Report Special Report in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering No. 10 Marvin Wass and Thomas Wright, December 1969 Virginia Institute of Marine Science Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062 Laws of Virginia Relating to Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2401 West Avenue, Newpo rt News, Virginia 23607 Wetlands Guidelines Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2401 West Avenue Newport News, Virginia 23607 Marsh-Plants Common Names and Scientific Names as found in the Data Tables Arrow Arum. Peltandra virginica (L.) Kunth Beggar Ticks Bidens spp. Big Cordgrass Spartina .cynosuroides (L.) Roth. Black Needlerush Juncus roemerianus Scheele. Button Bush Cephalanthus occidentalis L. Cattails common Typha latifolia L. narrow-leaved Typha angustifolia L. Common Threesquare Scirpus americanus Pensoon Ironweed* Vernonia noveboracensis (L.) Michaux Jewel-Weed* Impatiens capensis Meerb. Marsh-Fleabahe Pluchea purpurascens (Swartz) DC. Marsh Hibiscus Hibiscus moscheutos L. Marsh Mallow* Kostelelzkya virginica (L.) Presl. Pickerel Weed Pontederia cordata L. Reed Gras 8 Phragmites australis Marsh species not included in Virginia's Wetlands Act of 1972. -12- Rice Cutgrass Leensia oryzoides (L.) Swartz Saltbushes Marsh Elder Iva frutescens L. Groundsel Tree Baccharis halimifolia L. Saltmarsh Aster* Aster tenuifolius L. Saltmarsh Bulrush Scirpus robustus Pursh. Saltmarsh Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora Loisel. Saltmeadow Hay Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl. Smartweed Polygonum spp. Swamp Milkweed* Asclepias incarnata L. Switch Grass Panicum virgatum L. Tearthumb Polygonum arifolium L. Walter's Millet* Echinochloa walteri (Pursh) Heller Water Dock Rumex verticillatus L. Water Hemp Amaranthus cannabina (L.) J. D. Sauer Water Willow* Decodon venticillatus (L.) Ell. Wild Rice Zizania aquatica L. Wool Grass* Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth. Yellow Pond Lily Nuphar luteum (L.) Sibthrop, & Smith *Marsh species not included in Virginia's Wetlands Act of 1972. -13- Glossary of Descriptive Terms a marsh contained within a concavity cove marsh or recessed area on a shoreline; the marsh vegetation is usually found surrounding a central, open-water pond, and tidal flushing is permit- At- ted through an inlet. creek or a marsh occupying a drowned creek embayed marsh valley; in many large creek marshes the salinity decreases headward; this type of marsh may be divided for inventory purposes into sections if significant changes in the plant community occur along its length. a marsh found growing on sediment delta marsh deposited at the mouth of a tidal creek; tidal exchange through the creek mouth is usually restricted to narrow channels by the marsh. -14- Glossary of Descriptive Terms Ab@ extensive marsh a large marsh where the length and depth or width are roughly --A- comparable; most extensive marshes are drained by many tidal channels and creeks which have little freshwater input. fringe marsh a marsh which borders along a section of shoreline and generally has a much greater length than width or depth. high marsh the marsh surface is at an elevation of mean high water or above; it is usually inundated less than twice daily by tidal action. low marsh the marsh surface is at an elevation below mean high water; it is usually inundated twice daily by tidal action. 15 Glossary of Descriptive Terms marsh island an isolated marsh surrounded on all sides by open water; interior portions of the marsh may contain trees scattered at highest elevations pocket marsh a marsh contained within a small, essentially semi-circular area on a shoreline. point or spit marsh a marsh which extends from the uplands in the form of a point or spit; its development is usually influenced by tidal currents that form a sand berm behind which the marsh forms. -16- IIIA IIIB IlIc . ... .... ... ..... ....... HID IIIE ... ... .... .............. IIA" . ............... ... .. ............ ..... ...... ........................ . ......... ...... ...... .. ............... REFERE WETLAND .... ....... .... ...... KING GEOR ...... ..... . ............... ..... ............ Ivc IVB IVA INDEX TO CO SECTION I Rosier Creek and Potomac River Rosier Creek marks the southern boundary of King George County and only the King George County section of the creek is described here. Rosier Creek is both an important spawning and nursery area for many species of fish in- cluding: striped bass, white perch, yellow perch, blueback herring, alewife, American shad and menhaden. This section of shoreline is also an important habitat for many species of waterfowl and birds including the bald eagle. Typical of many marsh creeks, the wetlands vegetation of Rosier Creek increases in diversity, upstream, as salinity gradually decreases. Several small, pocket marshes and narrow fringe marshes dominated by saltmarsh cordgrass (Type I) are found in the lower portion. The upper portion grades from brackish to freshwater tidal marsh, with the most upstream freshwater areas changing to woody swamp. Above Route 205 there are several large areas of freshwater marsh, but these areas are non-tidal. Marsh #3 is a large pocket marsh dominated by several freshwater species (Type XI). A berm of sand across its mouth covered with vegetation causes a reduction in salinity by partially restricting tidal flushing to the interior and trapping upland runoff. This section of shoreline includes 125 of the 2122 acres of tidal wetlands found in King George County. 18 SECTION I - ROSIER CREEK - POTOMAC RIVER 91 2 TETOTUm NINDE 619 if MOR ld lc 205 SCALE 1 24,000 lb 1 205 la 1@00 0 10,00 200 0 FEET -19- Section 1. Rosier Creek and Potomac River V ca -V 7.' 10 W W W 0 a b.0 'd Id to 6D 0 Marsh Locatior 0 9) , , j 'd E, V1 U 9Q F M W 0 1 11 Observations Upper Rosier 4% 20 25 20 5 5 c,5 This section of marsh rades Is, Creek 9 into woody swamp; channel xi bottom covered with milfoil. .cre 2.4 3.0 2.4 0.6 1 0.6 1.21 1.2 0.6 1 Upper Rosier 10 50 30 2 3 5 Large amount of cattails in b Creek 11 5.5 3.3 0.2 0.3 0.6 this section of creek marsh. VI acres 1.1 Saltmarsh cordgrass first 2 30 32 30 2 - 2 2 evident in this section ofcreek Ic Upper Rosier 15 - - fr shwater community changes to X11 Creek 1-c r.sl 0.3 4.5 4.8 4.5 0.3 - 0.3 0.3 brackish water community. Upper Rosier 50 25 20 5 Significant increase in salt- ld 12 marsh cordgrass over upper I Creek sections of creek. Both narrow- acres 6.0 3.0 2.4 0.6 leaved and common cattails observed. Is Upper Rosier 27 % 30 55 2 7 5 1 Significant increase in big V Creek cordgrass in this section aver I jacres, 8.1 4.8 0.5 1.9 1.4 0.3 other sections of creek. If Upper Rosier % 40 30 20 10 Road has recently been built XII creek 20 across this section of marsh. acres 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 Small pocket marsh; pickerel 2 Lower Rosier 3 50 5 5 20 4 5 '01 - I I I., I weed fringe; saltmarsb cordgrasE I - domi ates interior; other Greek res 1.5 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.3 - species along upland border. Pot?mac 40 Freshwater creek marsh with 3 River 25 5- 20 -- 30 5 large stands of cattails. Bald xi eagle sighted here. acresi T 10.0 1.2 5.0 7.5 1.2 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -20- Section I. Rosier Creek and Potomac River (continued) OT 0 V E. z M CU p 0 z CU W k W 0 0 ): U 10 'a @r. co c cc 00 60 p 0 M -Ij Marsh Locatior F2 U pq M Observations a Total % 19 26 - 231 5 2 9 5 7 - 3 1 c section 1. 125 a,- acre,, 23.9 32.0 0.2 0. 5 28. 2 1 6. l' 12.5 .11.4 5.8 9.0 - 3.3 1.5 C,O.@ a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock 9- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -21- SECTION II Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River The tidal creeks along this section of King George County shoreline are Creek consist largely of pocket or fringing marshes. Proceeding upstream 0 illustrated on three map plates (A,B,C). The wetlands within Upper Machodfrom the mouth of Upper Machodoc Creek the change in the marsh plant species due to decreasing salinity is clearly evident. The most downstream, brackish water marshes are dominated by both big cordgrass (Type V) and saltmarsh cordgrass Type I). These species, however, are replaced in the most upstream sections by many freshwater species including wild rice and pickerel weed (Types VII and XI). The other creeks in this section, although containing some freshwater species in their most upstream sections, are clearly dominated by brackish water plants such as big cordgrass for their entire length. A large upstream section of Gambo Creek has been dammed forming a non-tidal freshwater pond. The freshwater marsh found in this area should therefore not be considered "tidal wetlands". As with Rosier Creek, (Section I) all of the tidal creeks in this section are valuable spawning,and nursery areas for many species of fishes. The marshes within this section total 878 of 2122 acres of wetlands found in King George County. 22 69 Y! 59'-- 014 7 58 56 71 11 HOWLAND PT. 52 5 "I-4CRODOC 12 54, 10 53, 9 5 6 BABER P 17 WOOD 11S. 13 7 14 18 16 15 51 US NAVAL RESERVATI DAHLGREN WEAPONS LABO TORY 5 49 119 TETOTUM FLATS I 4 47 -20 4 21 2-2 SCALE1 24,000 45- SECTION IIA - UPPER MACHODOC 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET WILLIAMS CREEK-G 23 -ILPOTOMAC RIVER 44 23 616 WOOD ALLNUT 36 ('71 It PUMPKIN NECK 301 CHESTNUT HILL 37 218 35 38 34 13 319 40 42 43 SCALE I : 24,000 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET ov" v 32 29 30 27 28 SECTION 1113 - UPPER MACHODOC CREEK-WILLIAMS CREEK- GAMBO CREEK - POTOMAC RIVER -24- SECTION IIC UPPER MACHODOC CRE WILLIAMS CREEK-GAMB POTOMAC RIVER HOOES ((6935) 614 65 0 301 lp 64 614 0 206 ro ,/ 63 US NAVAL RESERVATION". , 000 66 DAHLGREN WEAPONS LABORATORY 67 62 8 SCALE I 2A,000 61 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET @0 DAHLGREN 60 -25- Section II. Upper Machodoc Creek, Willisms Creek, Gambo, Creek, Potomac River 00 0 'C @4 'd w o 4 Io 16 cd ca 7 A Marsh Locatior. Ed u o 3 m ill o I Observati 4 J.lack Marsh 81 - 2 15 65 5 10 2 r@Large cattail marsh connected to VI facres 1.6 12.2 52.6 4.0 8-11 0.8 1.6 1 F@river by small tidal channel. 5 @Baber Point 8 11 10 90 - cordgrass dominated spit V 0.8 7.2 _@igfsh. 50 15 10 5 20 Large p cket marsh; interior 6 Upper Machodoc, 21 - dominated by big cordgrass but Creek saltbush scattered at higher V acres 110.51 3.2 1 2.1 1.0 4.2 elevations throughout, % 5 75 10 5- 2-F 1 3 1 - ior dominated by big cord- 7 Upper Machodoc 3 - berm of saltbush between _t's Creek rcres 0.2 2.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 - jrh and river but tidal V oection via small channel. Upper Machodoe 20 20 5 25 5 5 - 10 --ket marsh with interior 8 Creek 6 b,10 cattails; other XII 1.2 1.2 0.3 1.5 0.3 0.3 - 0.6 0. 6]s pecies t"rds creek, Upper Machodoc % 5 50 6 20 2 15 2 1, nterior of marsh dominated by 9 Creek 16 h cordgrass; berm between V arsh and creek vegetated with acres 0.8 8.0 1.0 3.2 0.3 2.4 0.3 ;.ltbush, cordgrass,saltmeadaw I I I I I ay- Upper machodoc, 30 10 30 30 sh almost blocked from river 10 Creek 3 y berm.vegetated with saltbush; small channel allows tidal XII acres 0.9 0.3 0.9 0.9 ovement. Upper Machodoc 30 30 30 5 5 is tion of the creek is 11 C rsec -14-ya .v reek _tTne ally fringed by a I to 10 acres 0.3 0.3 _rO 3 1 - t. band of big cordgrass, salt- X" rh cordgrass, saltmeadow, hay. a- Marsh Fleabane b% Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock 9- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -26- Section Il. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creak, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) I .c ca x 7,@ Marsh Location Cd be Cn CO 7H 00 0 Cd Observations I Upper Machodoc 11 50 1 2 12 Creek 7 10 d:2 Fringing Marsh of cordgrasses; 1.8 3.5 - high bank along upland edge IV 0.1 0.7 0.1 covered with saltbush. Upper Machodoc 4 30 -20 5 35 10 1 IPocket marsh; cattails along xii Creek upland border. acres 1.2 0.8 0.2 1.4 0.4 14 Upper Machoaoc % 40 50 - 2 - 3 5 Pocket marsh; saltmarsh cord- Creek 5 grass fringe; big cordgrass V rcresl 2.0 2.5 0.1 - 0.2 0.2 dominates interior. 30 20 40 Pocket marsh; saltmarsh cord 15 Upper Machodoc 6 - grass fringe; cattails along XII Creek upland border; large amount of 1.8 1.2 2.4 water hemp. 16 Upper Machodoc 30 10 Creek 2 - Pocket marsh dominated by salt- I 0.6 0.2 Marsh cordgrass. Upper Machodoc, % 20 50 20 1 3 5 Spit marsh; saltbush and witch 17 Creek 3 - I grass along highest landward V_ . acres 0.6 1.5 0.6 - 0.1 0.2 areas. 18 Upper.Machodoc % 20 60 - 20 Saltmarsh cordgrass fringe; big V Cre k 3 cordgrass dominates interior. acres 0.6 1.8 0.6 19 Upper Machodoc 5 5 50 10 5 Pocket marsh; saltmarsh cord- Creek grass fringe interior 0.2 2.5 0.5 0.2 dominated by marsh mallow. a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock 9- Water Willow h- lronweed i@ Common Threesquare -27- Section 11. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) .01 Q W x bo 0 4 J3 UO 0 x W '04. 0 '00 'Ile c -c 0 E 0 0 H 0 U n U Observations Marsh Locatior 0 H PQ 20 Upper Machodoc 5 5 5 Pb ket marsh; interior dominated by big cordgrass; saltmarsh V Creek 0.2 0.2 cordgrass fringe. s I I I 8 20 50 20 2 Small fringe of pickerel weed; XII 21 Upper Machodoc, 2 large amount of marsh mallow. Creek 0.2 0.4 1.0 0.4 - Pocket marsh;interior dominated UpperMachodoc % 50 10 - 30 10 by saltmarsh cordgrass; cat 22 Creek 4 tails along upland border. acres 2.0 0.4 - 1.2 0.4 % 5 65 - 10 10 10 Pocket marsh; interior dominated 23 UpperMachodoc, 12 by big cordgrass; saltmarsh V Creek cordgrass fringe. acres 0.6 7.8 - 1.2 1.2 1.2 11 5 70 - 10 11 Pocket marsh; interior dominated V 24 Upper Machodoc 3 by big cordgrass. Creek 0.2 2.1 0.3 0.4 I Fringing marsh; saltmarsh cord- 25 60 - 5, 10 grass at lower elevations along V 25 Upper Machodoc, 3 channel. Creek 0.8 1.8 - 0.2 0.3 Large pocket marsh; mostly big 26 Upper Machodoc 29 % . 5 85 - 5 5 cordgrass with saltmarsh cord- V Creek acres 1.4 24.8 1.4 1 1.4 rrass fringing along channel. 40 50 ocket marsh; saltmarsh cord- 27 Upper Machodoc 3 - rass along channel; big cord- V Creek rass at higher elevations. 1.2 1.5 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -28- Section II. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Cr9ek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) Marsh Location tn :3 observations 28 Upper Mchodoc 7 % 20 so - 5 5 20 Pocket marsh; large stand of V Creek ---Wild rice; marsh dominated by P@es 1.4 3.5 - 0.4 0.4 1.4 big cordgrass. - 5 gr s marsh; saltmarsh cord- 29 Upper Machodoc 4 % 5 80 10 fringe; cattails in most V Creek interior upland portion; 0.1 3.2 - 0.4 0.2 remainder largely big cordgrass. Upper Machodoc % 1 5 80 - 10 5 ket marsh; very similar to 30 Creek 2 9 above. V acreslo.1 1.6 0.2 0.1 Upper Machodoe 90 2 2 2 2 reek marsh; dominated by big 31 Creek 18 acresiO.4 16.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Ordgrass. V % 20 20 10 10 20 20 Creek marsh; diverse flora 32 Upper Machodoc 28 progresses from mbrackish to XII Creek 5.6 5.6 2.8 2.8 5.6 5.6 freshwater species. Upper Machodoc 6 65 5 5 5 10 10 Creek marsh dominated by big 33 Creek cordgrass. V 3.9 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.6 Upper Machodoe 1.1. -30 10 40 10 10 Fringing creek marsh; fresh- xi 34 Creek water species dominate. acres, 3.3 1.1 4.4 1.1 1.1 % 10 50 30 1 lCreek marsh;interior dominated Upper Machodoc 10 Id rice; pickerel weed XI 35 Creek 28 r re. 2.8 .4 2.8 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -29- Section II. Upper Machodoe Creekv Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) k 0 "S Marsh Locatior o Q w :j El w I m I I w n Observations AL 30 25 10 10 10 2 pickerel weed along xi 10 Creek marsh; cattails in highest 36 Upper Machodoc 43 areas Creek channel border. acres 12.9 4.3 10.8 4.3 4.3 4.3 0.9 0.9 0.4 37 Upper Kachodoc 10 50 30 10 Fringing creek marsh; large xi Creek 16 P7 st a of wild rice. re 4.8 8.0 4.8 1.6 Fring ing marsh; cattails in 38 Upper Machodoc 2 40 15 5 10 20 1 10 higher landward zone; pickerel XI Creek acres 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 weed along channel. % 2 90 2 1 1 Creek marsh; small fringe of 39 Upper Hachodoc 2 - I I I pickerel weed and saltma sh V Creek acre, 0.1 1.4 1 1 0.1 0.3 0.1 cordgrass along channel. 40 Upper Machodoc % 5 80 3 5 5 2 Pocket marsh; almost completely V Creek 3 big cordgrass. acres 0.2 2.4 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 % 4 1 Creek marsh; small salt-arsh 41 Upper Machodoc 27 --cordgrass fringe along channel. V Creek acres 1.1 0.3 20 75 5 Pocket marsh; saltmarsh cord- V 42 Upper Machodoc, 16 grass fringe along channel. Creek acres 3.2 12.0 0.8 1 1 % 10 10 ?oc t marsh; saltmarsh cord- 43 Upper Machodoc grass fringe along channel; V Creek 13 acres 1 3 1.3 2attails along upland border, a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -30- Section Il. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gaubo Creek, Potomac River (continued) N -01 1@61 c 0 W to UO .00 N A x V ca 0 o Marsh Location 'ao 7.' F'I m, m z c, u u -o Observations Pocket marsh; road constructed % 20 30 2 5 30 3 10 x1i 44 @perra Machdoc 4 across interior section. C ek acrel 0.8 1.2 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.4 % 40 20 2 30 4 2 2 Pocket marsh; large stand of x1l 45 Upper Machod0c 2 h cordgrass. Creek acres 0.8 0.4 - - 0.6 0.1 - 7saltmars % 25 20- 1 20 20 5 4 5 Pocket marsh; cattail :t and x1l 46 Upper Machodoc 7 marsh mallow at highe Creek elevations. acres1l.8 1.4 - 0.1 1.4 1.4 0.4 0.31 0.41 Pocket marsh sa. tna sh cord- g s t 1 1 ons with XII % 405 - 1 35 14 5 ra a a ower elevati 47 Upper Machodoc 2 attails landward. Creek Prosl 0.8 10.1- - 0.7 0.3 0.1 r - 10 20 10 5 ?ocket marsh; low marsh with 48 Upper Machodoc Large stands of saltmarsh cord- XII Creek 17 - 1.7 3.4 1.7 0.8 grass. % 505 - 5 20 20 ?ocket marsh; dominated by salt- 49 Upper Machodoc 2 1 1 --rsh cordgrass. I Creek acres 1.0 0 a 1 0.1 0.4 0.4 1., 30 25 3 10 25 5 2 Pocket marsh; saltmarsh cord- XII 50 Upper Machodoe 10 grass fringe qlong channel. Creek acres 3.2 2.5 0.3 1.0 2.5 0.6 0.2 405 5 10 20 15 i,5 ?ocket marsh;threesquare fringe 51 Upper Machodoc 10 - - 'along creek. XII Creek acres 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Blark Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -31- Section 11. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) t W 0 0 @4 X: M Marsh Location 0 ca co cc w cd W E. m m Observations 52 Upper Machodoc 21 5 20 10 2 3 Large pocket marsh; freshwater Creek species found in interior, 1.0 4.2 2.1 1 0.4 0.6 upland section. 53 Upper Machodoc 2 10 5 10 60 151 Pocket marsh; interior Creek 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.3 dominated by marsh mallow. 54 Upper Machodoc 2 % 30 5 10 45 5 - 5 Pocket marsh; dominated by big X11 Creek acres 0.3 - 0.1 0.4 - I - Icordgrass and marsh mallow. 55 Upper Machodoc % 30 40 10 5 5 10 Pocket marsh; saltbushas and Creek 6 switch grass at highest X11 la-res11.8 2.4 0.15 0.3 0.3 0.6 elevations. Lower Deep % 20 20 5 5 25 25 Pocket marsh; interior dominatee 56 Creek 10 --by marsh mallow, water hemp, XII acres 2.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 2.5 2.5 cattails. 57 Deep Creek 19 % 10 30 - 5 5 20 30 Creek marsh; marsh is crossed xil cres 1.9 5.7 - 1.0 1.0 3.8 5.7 by small road, % 1 40 20 - 5 5 25 5 58 Lower Deep 5 Pocket marsh; marsh mallow Creek dominates interior upland x1i acresJ2,0 1.0 - 0.2 0.2 1.2 0.2 section. 30 7 0 [2 Williams Creek 5 30 20 Pocket marsh; marsh mallow, 59 cattails, switch grass at XII tea 1.5 0.8 highest elevations. a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- yellow pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -32- Section II. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) ca k 0 x 0 W c 'd 0' 59 0 Cd Marsh Location 9 :1 -- @ U ;Q W U M -ic M E@ M 0 M Observations 30 11 5 35 Pocket marsh; saltmarsh cord- XII 60 Williams - grass at lowest elevations. Creek 0. 0.1 0.7 Fre. 6 0.3 0.2 0.11 10 5 Pocket marsh; cattails and 61 Williams % 30 30 - 5 5 30 marsh llow along uplands; XII Creek acres 0.9 0.9 - 0.2 0.2 0.9 ordgrasses along channel. Pocket marsh; cattails and 62 @Williams 8 % 20 30 - 5 10 30 5 marsh mallow along uplands; xil Creek lac re.1 1.6 2.4 - 0.4 0.8 2.4 0.4 cordgrasses along channel. % 30 20 - 40 10 Fringing marsh separated from x1l 63 Will ' Lms 2 - Imain creek marsh by road. Creek acres 0.6 0.4 - 0.8 0.2 % 20 35 - 10 15 5 5 5 5 Large creek marsh dominated Williams by big cordgrass; salt- sh XII 64 Creek 66 23.1 - 6.6 9.9 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 cordgrass at lower elevations. % 1 5 30 - Upper end of William Creek 65 Williams 20 30 5 1 20 2 3 2 2 above Rt. 301. Fringe of trees XII Creek aids in controlling runoff from acres1l.0 6.0 - 6.0 1.0 0.2 4.0 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.4 nearby housing development. 10 - 5 10 30 30 Pocket marsh; large amount of x1i 66 illiams 8 water hemp. Creek - 0.8 - 0.4 0.8 2.4 2.4 % 10 10 - 5 10 30 5 30 Pocket marsh; highest areas 67 Williams of marsh covered with switch XII Creek acres 0.4 0.4 - 0.2 0.4 1.2 0.2 1.2 grass. a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -33- Section II. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac River (continued) V M 0 V .0 a LD 0 0 -0 1W E Marsh Locatior 0 Observations 5 10 30 30 P cket marsh; extends into 68 Wi '5 '0 Dohlgren; some fill evident. XII Iliams 5 Cfeek scr., 0,8 0.5 0.2 0.5 1.5 1.5 Pocket marsh; cordgrasses 10 20 5 5 30 30 along creek channel. X11 69 Williams 4 - Creek 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.2 70 Upper Machodoc % 40 10 10 5 30 4 1 a,l Deep pocket marsh; cordgrasses X11 Creek 11 ringe creek. acres 4.4 1.1 1.1 0.6 3.3 0.4 0.1 % - 80 20 -Spit marsh of high elevation 71 Upper Machodoc 6 dominated by big cordgrass V Greek acres - 4.8 1.2 5 @30 4 5 5 10 5 35 ej Creek marsh; interior dominated 72 Gambo Creek 24 - by bulrush; cordgrasses and XII reed grass fringe along the acres 1.2 7.2 1.0 1.2 1.2 2.4 1.2 8.4 0.2 Potomac. 5 5 10 15 20 40 5 -k marsh; grades from high 73 Gambo Creek 18 _-L - -sh to swamp; cordgrasses 'Xil acres 0.9 0.9 1.8 2.7 3.6 7.2 0.9 @.rei-,e channel. 20 10 2 bulrush at higher XH 3 30 35 Creek marsh; cordgrasses fringe 74 Gambo Creek 27 channels; @a.r.. 0.8 8.1 5.4 2.7 0.5 9.4 elevations. 5 15 2 30 3 15 Creek marsh; large areas of 75 Gambo Creek 35 lo 1 - high marsh dominated by mallow x1l @res 3 +55.2 10.5 5.2 and hibiscus. a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -34- Section II. Upper Machodoc Creek, Williams Creek, Gambo Creek, Potomac Rive, (continued) 4 x bo 0 C W 0 0 J3 z M 0 n 9 .1 M U 10 14 10 Marsh Location 0 0 0 M U M :3 M 0 Observations 76 Gambo Creek 50 10 10 - 5 20 10 25 3 5 5 Creek marsh; upper portion acre@ 5.0 5.0 - 2.5 10.Oi 5.0 12.'5 1.5 2.5 3.5 dammed forming non-tidal pond. x1l Total 10 31 3 2 15 8 - 6 7 6 3 1 2 4 Section II 878 - O.lc,2.5 e,0.2 acrei 88.0 270.1 23.1 18.2 134.9 73.E 4.3 53.0 57.2 55.3 26.5 10.1 17.4 1.5 31.1 2.5 0.4 0.6 0.6d,O.l i,O.l a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- lronweed i- Common Threesquare -35- SECTION III Potomac River, Chotank Creek, Potomac Creek This section of King George County is illustrated using five map plates (A,B,C,D,E), and includes much of the shoreline in King George County which borders the Potomac River. The marshes total 524 of the county's.2122 acres of tidal wetlands. The 9horeline is for the most part very active and subject to erosion. The tidal wetlands are therefore limited to a number of large creek or pocket marshes located along streams draining into the Potomac River. Mathias Point Neck includes two large brackish (Type V) marshes dominated by big cordgrass. Another large marsh area is found along Chotank Creek. All three marshes are valuable spawning and nursery areas for certain fishes, as well as important wildlife habitats. Three bald eagles and at least twelve great blue herons were noted upon first entering Chotank Creek. The remaining marshes in this section of King George County consist of several large creek marshes dominated by big cordgrass and cattails. The Stafford County - King George County border divides Black Swamp marsh (#92) approximately in half. Only the King George section of this marsh is recorded here. 36 MATHIAS PT. 78 687 639 SCALE 1 24,000 MATHIAS POINT NECK 1000 0 10.00 2000 FEET 624 K SECTION IIIA - POTOMAC RIVER-CHOTANK CREEK-POTOMAC CREE/ -37- SECTION IIIB - POTOMAC RIVER-CHOTANK CREEK-POTOMAC CREEK POTOIVqC, STUART PT. CH A R I- _s CO. JONES KING OL co POND kA 8 87 8 83 84 85 C@ ,DC) $pl SCALE 1 24,000 1000 0 1000 2000 -38- WELLINGTON BEACH SECTION IIIC POTOMAC RIVER-CHOTANK CREEK- POTOMAC CREEK STUART WHARF 0. Q, 0 SCALE le: 24,000 poVo@AN C C) 0 lopo 1000 20i00 FEET --i MARYLAND jRc I A SOMERSET ]IN BEACH HAMPS -39- SECTION HID POTOMAC RIVER -CHOTANK CREEK-POTOMAC CREEK POTOMNC co- co - MARYLAND 0 VIRGINIA SCALE I 2A, FAIRVIEW BEACH 1000 0 i0o 696 91 40- rlB0YKINS Is. INDIAN PT. Co. ol?, o op 0AIA, CV@@,X_ __77_1@:Z; PRATTS PT. WHIPSAWASONS PT. BULL BLUFF 92 co LACK s mp B 654 600 SCALE 1 24,000 TANV_@ 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET SECTION HIE - POTOMAC RIVER-CHOTANK CREEK -POTOMAC CREEK j*"W H I P S ' f N@_ 092 GOBY 41- Section III. Potomac River, Chotank Creek, Potomac Creek 14 F. o Id 4 w V 0 Marsh LDcatior to m m ul -5 33 1, ---Observations % 3 60 5 15 4 2 5 4 e,2 Large spit marsh dominated by Persiminon I big cordgrass with cattails V 77 Point 108 acrej 3.2 64.8 5.4 16.2 4.3 2.2 5.4 4.3 2.2 at higher interior areas. pocket marsh; several areas 60 20 10 2 5 - 2 - have been filled to allow V 78 Mathias Point 23 1 construction of dirt roads. Neck acrej @ 13.8 4.6 2.3 0.5 _ 1.2 0.2 - 0.5 rsh; mixture of brackish % 5 45 - 2 5 15 2 5 10 2 2 2 5 and fre hwater species; XII d Spit ma 79 Chotank Creek 9 partially restricts mouth of acres 0.4 4.0 - 0.2 0.4 1.4 0.2 0.4 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 creek. 80 Chotank Creek 10 40 5 5 20 1 5 10 2 - f,2 Fringe marsh; pickerel w sad XII along channel; interior acresi 4.0 0..5 0.5 1 2.01 0.11 1.5 1.0 0.2 1 1 0.2 dominated by big cordgrass. % 1 50 10 5 10 5 10 10 Creek marsh; many brackish 81 Chotank Creek 14 1 - water species; big cordgrass V acres 7.0 1.4 0.7 1.4 0.7 1.4 1.4 generally predominates. Chotank Creek 18 80 - 10 5 5 Creek marsh; largely big cord- V 82 grass. Iscres 14.4 - 11.8 1 0.9 0.9 % 2 65 5 @5 10 11 5 5 2 Creek marsh; crossed by dirt 83 Chotank Creek 53 road; tidal flushing through V culvert. acres 1.1 34.5 2.6 2.6 5.3 0.6 2.6 2.6 1.1 Pocket marsh; interior largely 84 Chotank Creek 3 5 10 - 30 20 5 5 20 5 owl scus, cattail. XII acresJO.2 0.3 - 0.2- _M 0.6 7 1.0 FO6 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Duck g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -42- 0 @2 4 10 Section III. Potomac River, Chotank Creek, Potomac Creek (continued) r t"I x R o -ca W W -cd W Marsh Location In Observations A A 80 5 5 5 L Fiinge marsh; high marsh 85 Chotank Creek 7 dominated by cattails. VI 5.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 Marsh partially blocked by % 70 5 3 2 20 road but good tidal flushing VI 86 Chotank Creek 13- permitted by culvert; upper acres 9.1 0.6 0.4 0.3 2.6 portion progresses to woody I I swamp. -- 87 Chotank Creek % .5 5 60 10 5 1.0 5 Pocket marsh; fringe of 3 - p c erel weed at lowest VI acresi 0.2 0.2 1.8 0.3 .2 0.3 0.2 elevations. % 5 50 5 5 15 5 15 Creek marsh; cordgrasses along 88 Chotank Creek 10 channel. V acres 0.5 5.0 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 1.5 89 Chotank Creek 100 % 70 3 5 5 5 2 10 Large creek marsh dominated V by big cordgrass, 70.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 2.0 10.0 % 5 5 75 5 5 5 Large creek marsh dominated VI 90 Somerset Beach 43 - by cattails. res 2.2 2.2 32.2 2.2 2.2 %_ 45 30 3 .2 4 2 10 1 3 Large creek marsh; large 91 Passapatanzy 105 stands of cattails in upstream XII Creek icres 47.2 31.5 3.2 2.1 4.2 2.1 10.5 1.0 3.2 portions. 5 Black Swamp % 40 5 10 30 King George County section 92 5 - only; pickerel weed and yellow X1 tea 2.0 0.3 0.5 1.5 pond lily fringe. a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Irorrweed i- Common mroesquare -43- 051 .5 Section III. Potomac River, Chotank Creek, Potomac Creek (continued) > F. Observations XarSh LoCat'Or E@ M &0 (n U I :x :31 FQ Total 51 4 21 5 1 4 3 2 1 2 4 1 Section 111 524 c,0.3 f,0.2 267.4 19.9 0.7 111.4 28.3 6.0 21.3 14.2 9.0 0.2 3.3 12.7 1.0 0.61 e,2.2 1,0.5 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily' d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock. g- Water Willow h- Irorrweed i- Counon Threesquare -44- SECTION IV Rappahannock River The southern boundary of King George County is formed by the Rappahannock River and this section of shoreline is illustrated with seven map plates (4B,C,D,E,P,G). Although it is tidal, this portion of the Rappahannock River is also freshwater and therefore the cordgrasses which dominate much of the tidal wetlands in King George County are not found here. The marshes are composed largely of such species as wild rice, pickerel weed, smart weeds and beggar ticks. Most of the marshes in this section are surrounded by woody swamp composed of such species of trees and shrubs as swamp dogwood, black willow, red maple, black gum and button bush. The apparent invasion of a number of the marshes by these swamp species suggests that many of the marshes are changing into swamp. Since the woody swamps found here include-black gum, Nyssa sylvatica, wlidh is listed in the Virginia Wetlands Act, those areas of swamp which are contiguous to the tidal marshes and meet the elevational requirements of the Act are to be considered "wetlands". To determine these areas, an accurate elevational survey would be required. Therefore, only those areas with marsh- type vegetation are included in this inventory. The marshes along this section of the Rappahannock River are valuable spawning and nursery areas for many species of fish including American shad, alewife, white perch, menhaden and blueback herring. They support, as well, .large numbers of resident species such as catfish, bass, and minnows. In all, they total 595 of the county's 2122 acres of tidal wetlands. 45 SECTION IVA - RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER C, 95 (6 SCALE1 24,000 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET GREENLAW NoiT WHARF H BE LONG PT. WILMONT WHARF 94 > I G G V-A@o/ TOBYS PT. 93 > 0 ILS All, 01- -46- SECTION IVB RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER 96 00 98 9 oe SCALE I ; 24,000 1@00 0 1000 20 0 FEET -47- CA OQ V GOAT IS. 99 SCALE 1 24,000 0 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET G 0 SECTION IVC - RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER -48- Nmp HAYMARKET WHARF 109 0 RS-& Q, 7' 0 108 MOONS MOUNT WHARF 106 KING S. -A'R 010 GE Co., ,IV Co. SECTION IVID - RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER SCA lopo -49- 114 115 HOP YARD LANDING SCALE 1 24,000 WHI RSH 1000 0 1000 2000 FEET SKINKERS NECK 113 Buc Kt4ERS REACH DOGUE 112 615 oP CR. 692 SECTION IVE - RAPPAHANN -50- GRAVES CORNER 605 3 00t) R u SCALE 1*: 24,000 10@00 0 1000 2000 FEET IkAPPA4 C72 SKINKERS NECK Of CORBINS NEC MOSS NECK 615 ............ SECTION IVF - RAPPAHANNOCK RIVEF -51- SECTION IVG RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER Aml 3 OR co T<'IVG G P-O,@G HAYFIELD HARF A@@o J. MARYTON OLNEY CORNER MOSS NECK 17 J)IC,K S C R. I 610 SCALE 1 24,000 1 @00 0 1 O@00 2000 FEET 2 GARRETTS STORE -52- Section IV. Rappahannock River 0 V ca CO 4 r I CO 0 Marsh Locatior FO 0 Cd El Id Id W U 1 3: -,W-,d "" a Obser@ations 10 5 60 1 5 c,20 Long fringing marsh 30 ft. Tobys Point 2 wide; pickerel weed and yellow VII 93 0.2 0.1 1.2 0.1 0.4 pond lily along river side. c,15 94 Tobys Point 5 % 15 5 30 520 5 g,5 Pocket marsh surrounded by xi - 0.8 woody swamp. cresl 1 1 0.8 0.2 1.5 0.211.0 0.2 10.21 c 15 95 Jetts Creek 8 8 10 10 515 15 5 5 2 5 ji:5 Long fringing marsh bordering creek channel and surrounded xi 11:2 by woody swamp. 0.6 0.8 10.8 0.4 1.2 1.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.4 0 4 c,5 Ging te gu 4 20 5 10 530 10 1 5 2 i,3 Wng fringing marsh bordering 96 0 , e 30 cre A and surrounded by xi Creek 1 5 Voody swamp. 1.2 6.0 1.5 3.0 1.5 9.0 3.0 0.3 1.5 0.6 0:9 Rappahannock % 2 5 55 2 2 210 20 2 Large fringing marsh dominated KI 97 River 8 ---- by wild rice. acres 0.2 0.4 4.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.8 1.6 0.2 % 2 2 5 10 10 560 5 g, Pocket marsh separated from 98 Rappahannock 4 river by 6 ft. wide border of XI River trees; open to tidal flushing acresi 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.2 2.4 0.2 at several points. Milbank Creek 12 5 15 2 20 540 10 1 2 Marsh island; several clumps 99 of trees and shrubs at the xi 0.6 1.8 0.2 2.4 0.6 14.81 1.2 0.1 0.2 highest elevations. Milbank Creek 5 5 3 30 530 2 .1 20 Iong fringing marsh bordering 100 13 creek and surrounded by woody xi acres 0.6 0.6 0.4 3.9 0.6 3.9 swamp. 0.3 2.6,1 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush e- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -53- Section IV- Rappahannock River (continued) 41 0 0 Marsh Locatior to bo -c Observations Cleve Marsh 10 5 5 10 70 Freshwater creek marsh; beggar ticks dominant vegetation in xi 2.6 1.3 1.3 2.6 118.2 September. 102 Cleve Mar h 28 5 2 2 2 10 10 55 5 2 5 2 Creek marsh dominated by Goat Island smar-eds; interior of marsh xi 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.8 2.8 15.4 1.4 0.6 1.4 0.6 grades into woody swamp. 103 ICI. Marsh 39 % 2 55 - 10 5- 25 1 Creek marsh dominated by wild grades into woody swamp xi acres 0.8 21.41 3.2 2.0 9.8 0.4 of ash and willow. 104 Clev Mar h 4 1 4 1 17 10 41 7 5 1 Fringing marsh dominated by Goat Island 15 - - 9 smartweeds; willow, ash, xi 0.61 0.1 0.6 0.2 2.5 b tton bush scattered through- 1.5 6.2 1.0 1.3 0.7 0.1 Ut. I I I I -U 105 jCleve Marsh 44 2 15 30 10 10 25 2 2 2 c,2 Creek marsh grades into woody xi 0.9 F66 13.2 4.4 4.4 1I.C 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 swamp. % 2 2 20 10 40 20 1 Creek marsh fringed by pickerel 106 Cleve Marsh 2 weed; interior dominated by xi 0.1 - - 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.4 smartweeds. 107 Cleve Marsh 48 % 2 15 30 10 25 10 2 2 2 c,2 Creek marsh grades into woody - swamp xi acres 1.0 7.2 14.4 4.8 12.0 4.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 --710 108 Cleve Marsh 7 % 5 21- 2F 20 10 40 20 1 Fringing marsh dominated by smartweeds; grades into woody xi 0.4-F. 0.1 - swamp. rresl . ] OlF 1.4 0.7 12.8 1.4 1 0.1 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f-.Water Dock 9- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -54- Section M Rappahannock River (continued) 10 X x W L 0 ba Marsh Location 0 W. Id Z - 'Z x v) . @k tn U E- co M 0 M 0 Observations % 10 10 20 20 40 Long fringing marsh; pickerel log Rappahannock weed and wild rice along xi -River channel; cattails and smart- acre 0.1 0.1 0.21 0.2 0.4 1 weeds landward. % 2 5 30 2 10 25 20 2 2 2 - Creek marsh; large stands of 11.0 Jones Top I - wild rice. xi 0.5 1.4 8.1 0.5 2.7 6.8 5.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 - Creek % 2 5 2 10 10 35 25 1 5 5 Fringing marsh; interior grades Rappahannock 22 @nto woody swamp. xi River acres 0.4 1.1 0.4 2.2 2.2 7.7 5.5 0.2 1.1 1.1 Fringing creek marsh; surround- 5 3 5 5 60 5 5 5 2 c,5 ad by woody swamp; intersper- ap@ahannock 20 sed with willow, maple, ash, xi 112 River real 1.0 0.6 1.0 1.0 12.0 1.0 1.0 1. 1) 0.4 '.0 alder trees. 10 5 40 25 20 Pocket marsh interspersed with 113 DOgue Run 3 I trees and shrubs. xi 0.3 0.2 1.2 0.8 0.6 5 5 5 10 50 20 3 2 Creek marsh; dominated by 114 Rappahannock 11 @ds; channel fringed by XI River 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.1 5.5 2.2 0.31 0.2 1 1pickerel weed. 115 Rappahannock 11 5 5 15 10 20 30 151 1 Pocket marsh; trees and shrubs River - clumped throughout. xi 0.6 0.6 1.6 1.1 2.2 3.3 1.6 5 3 10 10 40 20 2 Pocket marsh; part of Birch- xi 11.6 lambs Creek 28 - - wood Run marsh. acres 0.8 2.8 2.8 11.2 5.6 0.6 a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -55- Section IV. Rappahannock River (continued) :10 MO x 1W 0 m r 'f G .2 0 E' Marsh Location 0 7,' W :3 M 0 0 1 Observations 5 15 10 10 15 25 Creek marsh; an area along the 117 @Birchwood 46 western border of this marsh xi Run has been filled; upland sedi- 2.3 6.9 4.6 9.2 11.5 11.5 ment is evident increek channel Creek marsh; large stands of 118 @Corbins Neck 135 5 20 10 5 20 15 5 c, 20 wild rice and smartweeds; xi 6.81 channels fringed with pickerel 6.8 27.0 113.5 6.8 27.0 20.2 27.0 weed and pond lily; grades into swamp. c,6 i,- Tota@ 595 3 4 19 2 1 11 8 25 17 1 2 1 1 - 1 g,- Section IV. I _ _ 16.3 22.1 115.5 9.3 63.1 47.1 148.8 102.8 3.9 9.0 4.5 3.2 2.6 8.7 c36,5 ij. 3 g, 0.2 - 2 Total % 6 1 27 2, 1 114 5 5 9 4 5 - 3 8 5 2 - - King George 2122 - r 0. 1 2,39.9 e,2,4 g,0.2 i, 1. 9 County ac-117.7569.543.2 19.4290.8108.210.3 198.9 184.1 84.6 108.1 10.3 71.1 164.5 103.8 51.71 6.4 1 9.0 4.9 3.2 2.6 9.3 1@ 0. 6 d,O.l f,0.2 h, - a- Marsh Fleabane b- Rice Cutgrass c- Yellow Pond Lily d- Black Needlerush a- Reed Grass f- Water Dock g- Water Willow h- Ironweed i- Common Threesquare -56- INDEX TO MARSH LOCATIONS Page Baber Point .................................... o 23, 26 Birchwood Run ....... o......... o...... oo ......... 51, 56 Black Marsh ..................... oo ........... - 23, 26 Black Swamp .................. o.................. 41, 43 Chotank Creek ....... o................ o ....... oo. 36, 38, 42, 43 Cleve Marsh .................................. oo. 48, 49, 54 Goat Island ................ o................. 48, 49, 54 Corbins Neck .............................. o..... 51, 56 Deep Creek ....o ............... - .............. o 23, 32 Lower Deep Creek ....................... o..... 23, 32 Dogue Run ....................................... 50, 55 Gambo Creek ....... o .............................. 22, 25, 34, 35 Gingoteague Creek ........ o ................ ooo-. 47, 53 Jetts Creek ................. o ........... o....... 46, 53 Jones Top Creek .................. o .... - ..... o. 50, 55 Lambs Creek .......... o .......................... 51, 55 Mathias Point Neck ........... o....... o .......... 37, 42 Milbank Creek....... .......... o........... o..... 48, 53 Passapatanzy Creek ................... o ..... o.... 40, 41, 43 Persimmon Point... .............. o........ o ...... 37, 42 Potomac River ....... o- ...... o....... o ......... 18-20, 22, 25, 36-40 Potomac Creek ............... o .................... 36, 41 Rappahannock River .............................. 45-53, 55 Rosier Creek .................................... 18, 19, 21 Upper ........................................ 19, 20 Lower ......................................... 19, 20 Somerset Beach .... 4 ............................. 39, 43 Tobys Point ..................................... 46, 53 Upper Machodoc Creek ............................ 22-24, 26-32, 34 Williams Creek .................................. 22, 23, 25, 32-34 57 DA TE bUE GAYLORD No. 2333 PF31NTED IN USA IN @l 3 6668 14107 7067