Potomac-Shenandoah Water System
The Potomac-Shenandoah water system is comprised of two parts, the Shenandoah river and the Potomac River.
The Shenandoah River
Divides into two forks, The North and South Forks. The Below map illustrates the split of the Shenandoah River. The Red arrow locates where the two forks meet at Front Royal, VA. The green arrow locates the North Fork of the Shenandoah and the blue arrow indicates where the South Fork of the Shenandoah is located.
The North Fork
The North Fork begins in the north western portion of Rockingham County and travels along the north western flank of Massanutten mountain to Front Royal, VA where it merges with the south fork.
The South Fork
The South Fork begins at Port Republic and meanders to Front Royal, VA where it merges with the North Fork.
The South Fork is comprised of three major tributaries:
The North River:
Arises in the Allegany Mountains to the Northwest of Staunton, VA and emerges from the mountains near natural Chimneys.
The Middle River:
The Middle River Heads into the Western part of the great Valley, to the South West of Staunton, VA.
The South River(also called Back Creek):
Flows along the Western flank of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Augusta County. When the river reaches north of Waynesboro the river becomes a stream.
The Potomac River
The Shenandoah River meets the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, WV and travels through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Washington then south southwest until it turns to travel south southeast into the Chesapeake.
At the Fall Zone elevation drops quickly to sea level (dropping 30 meters in a few km). This fall is the most dramatic of any eastern river.
The following map illustrates how the Potomac and Shenandoah River’s are connected and their location in relation to the rest of the components of the Potomac River Basin. The red arrow illustrates where the two rivers meet.
It is important to remember that the Shenandoah river is just one portion of the larger Potomac River Basin, but that each part contributes to the health and well-being of the entire system.
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