Corrotoman River Explained

Corrotoman River
Country:United States of America
State Type:State
State:Virginia

The Corrotoman River, located in Lancaster County, Virginia, is a tributary of the Rappahannock River. Along with its sister waterways, the Corrotoman River has important cultural and historical significance in the region due to the pre-colonization of indigenous communities, notably the Powhatan peoples. The Corrotoman River was a former site of seed oysters, and was closed down for a certain disease infecting the oyster population.[1]

Description

Main Body

The mouth of the Corrotoman River is between Towle Point and Orchard Point. Whitehouse Creek, as well as Ewells Prong and Millenbeck Prong, are located on the western side of the river. Farther north and inland, Corrotoman Point sits on the eastern shore of the river, and Ball Point is located on the western shore of the river. The river narrows significantly at this point.

On the western side of the river, after Ball Point, Yankee Point marks the beginning of Myers Creek. Myers Creek is home to the only marina on the river, the Yankee Point Marina. North of Yankee Point is Bar Point, where the Western Branch starts.

On the eastern side of the river, after Corrotoman Point, are Taylor Creek and Moran Creek. To the north is Moran Wharf, which signifies the start of the Eastern Branch.

Western Branch

The Western Branch starts between Bar Point and West Point, which point northwest. The Merry Point cable ferry is located near the start of the branch that runs between Ottoman Wharf and Merry Point.[2] In the order they are encountered heading up the branch, the creeks are John Creek, Lowrey Creek, Senior Creek, and Davis Creek. From there, the branch forks into two. The eastern fork ends at Bellwood Swamp, approximately one mile west of Lancaster Courthouse, and the western fork, Little Branch, ends at Griffins Landing.

Eastern Branch

The Eastern Branch starts between West Point and Moran Wharf, and points in a northeast direction. The branch splits off into Camps Prong and Norris Prong, which lead to Camps Millpond and Norris Pond respectively.

See also

References

  1. Web site: Box 8: Rappahannock and Corrotoman Rivers . Virginia Institute of Marine Science . 11 July 2022 . 2.
  2. Web site: Corrotoman River Water Trail . 19 April 2022 . Northern Neck Tourism Commission.