thumbnail

Characterization of the Water Resources of the Pamunkey River Watershed in Virginia—A Review of Water Science, Management, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5024
Prepared in cooperation with The Pamunkey Indian Tribe
By: , , , , , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245024

Links

Abstract

In central Virginia, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Reservation are facing increasingly complex water resource issues related to quantity and quality. Documentation of surface-water, groundwater, water quality, land subsidence, sea-level rise, and river ecology issues in the Pamunkey River watershed and incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge into these research topics may improve understanding of the water resources broadly. This report summarizes the relevant traditional ecological knowledge and scientific literature to elucidate gaps in the total combined knowledge of a suite of water science topics concerning the Pamunkey River watershed. This suite of water science topics includes some of the issues that the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Reservation are facing within the watershed: fragmentation of streams and management of streamflow, flooding, degrading water quality, groundwater extraction, relative sea-level rise, rapid changes in ecosystems, loss of ecological and biological diversity, and climate change. Gaps in total combined knowledge are pervasive throughout each of these water resource topics. Identifying these knowledge gaps can help inform future research and management strategies.

Suggested Citation

Foster, B.M., Lopez, R., Crawford, E.R., Cook, W., Krigsvold, J., Langston, J.H., Langston, T., Miles, G., Moore, K., Garman, G.C., Rice, K.C., and Jastram, J.D., 2024, Characterization of the water resources of the Pamunkey River watershed in Virginia—A review of water science, management, and traditional ecological knowledge: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5024, 64 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245024.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Description of Study Area
  • Surface Water
  • Surface-Water Quality
  • Groundwater
  • Land Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise
  • River Ecology
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Characterization of the water resources of the Pamunkey River watershed in Virginia—A review of water science, management, and traditional ecological knowledge
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2024-5024
DOI 10.3133/sir20245024
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Description ix, 64 p.
Country United States
State Virginia
Other Geospatial Pamunkey River Watershed
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details