GroundRules
← Search the law
Virginia regulations · Through 2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)

9VAC25-260-520: Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean and small coastal basins

Read at publisher ↗
Where this section sits in the code
  1. Title 9. Environment
  2. Agency 25. State Water Control Board
  3. Chapter 260. Water Quality Standards
  4. Part IX. River Basin Section Tables

SEC.

CLASS

SP. STDS.

SECTION DESCRIPTION

1

I

a

The Atlantic Ocean from Cape Henry Light (Latitude 36°55'06" North; Longitude 76°00'04" West) east to the three mile limit and south to the Virginia-North Carolina state line. The Atlantic Ocean from Cape Henry Light to Thimble Shoal Channel (Latitude 36°57'30" North; Longitude 76°02'30" West) from Thimble Shoal Channel to Smith Island (Latitude 37°07'04" North; Longitude 75°54'04" West) and north to the Virginia-Maryland state line.

1a

III

All free flowing portions of the streams, creeks and coves in Section 1 east of the east-west divide boundary on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

1b

II

a

Tidal portions of streams, creeks and coves in Section 1 east of the east-west divide boundary on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

2

II

a

Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from Old Point Comfort Tower (Latitude 37°00'00" North; Longitude 76°18'08" West) to Thimble Shoal Light (Latitude 37°00'09" North; Longitude 76°14'04" West) to and along the south side of Thimble Shoal Channel to its eastern end (Latitude 36°57'03" North; Longitude 76°02'03" West) to Smith Island (Latitude 37°07'04" North; Longitude 75°54'04" West) north to the Virginia-Maryland state line following the east-west divide boundary on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, west along the Virginia-Maryland state line, to the Virginia Coast, (Latitude 37°53'23" North; Longitude 76°14'25" West) and south following the Virginia Coast to Old Point Comfort Tower (previously described), unless otherwise designated in this chapter.

2a

III

Free flowing portions of streams lying on the Eastern Shore of Virginia west of the east-west divide boundary unless otherwise designated in this chapter.

2b

III

Drummonds Millpond including Coards Branch.

2c

III

The Virginia Department of Agriculture experimental station pond and its tributaries.

2d

III

The free flowing streams tributary to the western portion of the Chesapeake Bay lying between the Virginia-Maryland state line and Old Point Comfort.

VII

Swamp waters in Section 2d

Briery Swamp and tributaries from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to their headwaters.

Contrary Swamp from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to its headwaters.

Crany Creek from its confluence with Fox Mill Run to its headwaters.

Dragon Run and its tributaries from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to their headwaters.

Dragon Swamp and tributaries from the head of tidal waters at river mile 4.60 to their headwaters.

Exol Swamp and tributaries from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to their headwaters.

Fox Mill Run from the head of tidal waters to its headwaters.

Holmes Swamp and its tributaries from the confluence with Exol Swamp to their headwaters.

Northwest Branch Severn River from the head of tidal waters near Severn Hall Lane to its headwaters.

Timber Branch Swamp and its tributaries from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to their headwaters.

Yorkers Swamp and its tributaries from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to their headwaters.

White Marsh and its tributaries from the confluence with Dragon Swamp to their headwaters.

2e

III

PWS

Harwood's Mill Reservoir (in Poquoson River's headwaters - a source of water for the City of Newport News) and its tributaries.

2f

III

PWS

Brick Kiln Creek and its tributaries from Fort Monroe's raw water intake (at the Big Bethel Reservoir) to points 5 miles upstream.

2g

III

PWS

Beaverdam Swamp and its tributaries (including Beaverdam Swamp Reservoir) from the Gloucester County Water System raw water intake to its headwaters.

3

II

a

Chesapeake Bay from Old Point Comfort Tower (Latitude 37°00'00" North; Longitude 76°18'08" West) to Thimble Shoal Light (Latitude 37°00'09" North; Longitude 76°14'04" West) along the south side of Thimble Shoal Channel to Cape Henry Light (Latitude 36°55'06" North; Longitude 76°00'04" West).

3a

II

a,z

Little Creek from its confluence with Chesapeake Bay (Lynnhaven Roads) to end of navigable waters.

3b

II

a

Tidal portions of Lynnhaven watershed from its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay (Lynnhaven Roads) to and including Lynnhaven Bay, Western Branch Lynnhaven River, Eastern Branch Lynnhaven River, Long Creek, Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay, Thalia Creek and its tributaries to the end of tidal waters. Great Neck Creek and Little Neck Creek from their confluence with Linkhorn Bay and their tidal tributaries. Rainey Gut and Crystal Lake from their confluence with Linkhorn Bay.

3c

III

Free flowing portions of streams in Section 3b, unless otherwise designated in this chapter.

3d

III

PWS

The impoundments on the Little Creek watershed including Little Creek Reservoir, Lake Smith, Lake Whitehurst, Lake Lawson, and Lake Wright.

3e

II

London Bridge Creek from its confluence with the Eastern Branch of Lynnhaven River to the end of tidal waters. Wolfsnare Creek from its confluence with the Eastern Branch Lynnhaven River to the fall line.

3f

III

Free flowing portions of London Bridge Creek and Wolfsnare Creek to the Dam Neck Road Bridge at N36°47'20.00"/W76°04'12.10" (West Neck Creek) and their free flowing tributaries.

3g

III

Lake Joyce and Lake Bradford.

Collected 2026-09-14T04:49:15Z. Source file · JSON

Browse this collection