• Visitors bask in a golden sunset at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah

    National Park Virginia

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  • Vehicle Fuel Available at Big Meadows ONLY!

    Vehicle fuel is only available at Big Meadows (mile 52). Gas service has been discontinued at the Loft and Elkwallow areas.

Watersheds

partial SHEN watersheds map

Partial watershed map.

At the broadest hydro-physiographic level, terrain in Shenandoah National Park comprises a portion of three major river systems in the Mid-Atlantic area (Shenandoah/Potomac, James, Rappahanncock). Each of these rivers flows into the Chesapeake Bay. As such, they constitute a significant portion of the greater Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Within park boundaries there are 70 watersheds. Park staff is in the process of developing attribute information for each of these watersheds including basin width and length, main channel length, stream density, land use, and elevation. Watershed sizes range from 0.2mi2 to 12.1mi2. Most are in the range of 1-2mi2 in size. There are 42 watersheds on the west side of the park and 28 on the east side.

Related Information

For information on the watersheds and their protection go to:

Chesapeake Bay Program

Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association
Virginia Places description of rivers and watersheds

Center for Watershed Protection

Listing of these websites does not and is not intended to imply endorsement by the National Park Service of commercial services or products associated with the sites.

Did You Know?

Sunrise over the mountains

Benton McKaye, the “father of the Appalachian Trail,” was also instrumental in passage of the Wilderness Act. Shenandoah National Park carries on Benton McKaye’s legacy with 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail and almost 80,000 acres of designated wilderness. More...