Center for Coastal Resources Management

Climate Change - Lower Mattaponi River - Oligohaline (MPNOH)

CURRENT COASTAL HABITAT COMPOSITION

14.7 km² - Tidal Marsh
  0.0 km² - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
  1.9 km² - Shallow Water
  0.0 km  - Beaches

The Lower Mattaponi River is located in King & Queen and King William Counties and extends from West Point to Courthouse Landing. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped (18% developed riparian lands and 3% hardened shoreline). Both counties have low average annual rates of permitted shoreline hardening ranging from 0.1-0.2 km/yr (0.04% of the shoreline).

COASTAL HABITATS SHIFTS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

• Shallow-Water and Tidal Wetlands - depiction of existing tidal wetland (vegetated & non-vegetated) and shallow-water habitat, with projected shifts due to sea level rise

• Tidal Marsh Vulnerability - depiction of existing tidal marsh and vulnerability to inundation from projected sea level rise within 50-100 years. Marshes classified at low risk represent potential wetland preservation opportunities

• Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - depiction of existing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and projected shifts due to sea level rise and elevated temperatures

• Vulnerable Developed Lands - depiction of existing developed lands and vulnerability to inundation from projected sea level rise

Link to map information and data sources