The City of Virginia Beach is comprised of 5 major watersheds: Lynnhaven, Oceanfront, Elizabeth River, Little Creek and Southern Rivers. The Southern Rivers Watershed is the largest, encompassing approximately 205 square miles in Virginia Beach or 67% of the area within the City limits. The Southern Rivers Watershed is made up of secondary watersheds called Back Bay, North Landing River, Northwest River, and Small Coastal South.

The Southern Rivers Watershed has significant environmental, ecological, and economic value as it is home to:

  • ​​​A distinctive rural community.
  • The City’s Agricultural Industry.
  • Rivers and canals for navigation.
  • Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
  • False Cape State Park.
  • Two State Waterfowl Management Areas.

​​​​As such, Stormwater Management and Water Quality efforts are critical to maintaining the health of the ecosystem that is the Southern Rivers Watershed.

Map of the Southern Rivers Watershed
  • Stormwater & Flood Protection
    • Flood Protection Program Flood Protection Program FAQ Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board Central Resort District Eastern Shore Drive - Phase 1 Cape Henry Canal Phase II Gravity Sewer Relocation North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F Poinciana Pump Station Eastern Shore Drive Bundle Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Pump Station & Outfall Church Point/Thoroughgood BMP and Drainage Improvements Lake Pleasure House Outfall Lake Bradford Ditch Dredging Linkhorn Bay Drainage Basin First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard Drainage Improvements Seatack Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Southern Rivers Watershed Pungo Ferry Road New Bridge Road West Neck Creek Bridge Stormwater Green Infrastructure Marsh Restoration in Back Bay Elizabeth River Wetland and Floodplain Restoration Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza & The Lakes Club House Road Storm Drainage Windsor Woods Tide Gate South Plaza Trail and Presidential Boulevard Drainage Improvements Old Forge Road and Red Lion Road Drainage Improvements Bow Creek Stormwater Park Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza, and The Lakes Mega Bundle Master Planning Sea Level Wise Stormwater Extension Flood Monitoring Flooding Mitigation Toolbox Stormwater Quality Stormwater Management Facilities Stormwater Regulations Stormwater Utility Fee Discount Stormwater Quality Projects & Evaluations 17th Street Regional Stormwater Facility Ashville Bridge Creek Watershed Bayville Lake Water Quality Improvement Bellamy Woods Water Quality Improvement Brigadoon Park Water Quality Improvement Chatham Hall Lake Water Quality Improvement Historic Kempsville Water Quality Improvements Kemps Lake Water Quality Improvement Lake Bradford & Great Neck Lake Monitoring Lake James Watershed Lake and Pond Water Quality Monitoring Studies Lynnhaven Park Constructed Wetlands Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project Oceana Gardens Constructed Wetlands Princess Anne Athletic Complex Providence Park Wet Pond Salem Village Park Water Quality Improvement Saw Pen Point Shoreline Restoration Sunstream Park Pond Mosquito Control Mosquito-Borne Diseases Stormwater Safety Get Involved Adopt-a-Drain Good to Do National Flood Insurance Program Stormwater Management Implementation Advisory Group