The Rappahannock River is one of Virginia’s most iconic waterways, rising in the Blue Ridge Mountains and cutting across much of the state before reaching Chesapeake Bay. The river supports a diverse array of ecosystems and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. However, increased strain on water resources and the absence of unified water management threaten the river’s ability to meet the needs of both people and nature. As a result, the Rappahannock was recently named one of America’s most endangered rivers by American Rivers.

Funded by non-profit Rivers for Change, this source-to-sea study of the Rappahannock will include visual media and a 180-mile kayak transect down Virginia’s longest free-flowing river. Through this work, I aim to understand and share the threats facing the Rappahannock with the goal of protecting the river and its water. The full scope of the project is currently in development with Rivers for Change, Friends of the Rappahannock, and stakeholders within the watershed. If you’re in the area and want to be involved, please get in touch.

Photo: American Rivers / Harlow Chandler