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 Model Visualization & Exposure Tool Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board Central Resort District Drainage Improvements 24th Street 21st and Baltic Eastern Shore Drive - Phase 1 Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Linkhorn Bay Drainage Basin 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 Project Comments Project Updates Master Planning Sea Level Wise Stormwater Planning Projects Bow Creek Stormwater Project Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvement Lake Bradford & Chubb Lake Stormwater Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and The Lakes Stormwater 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 Brooklyn Avenue 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 Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Study Lynnhaven Park Constructed Wetlands Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project Oceana Gardens Constructed Wetlands Providence Park Wet Pond Salem Village Park Water Quality Improvement Saw Pen Point Shoreline Restoration Seatack Park Wet Swale Sunstream Park Pond Mosquito Control Mosquito-Borne Diseases Get Involved Adopt-a-Drain Good to Do National Flood Insurance Program Stormwater Management Implementation Advisory Group