Center for Coastal Resources Management

Climate Change - Lower Pamunkey - Oligohaline (PMKOH)

CURRENT COASTAL HABITAT COMPOSITION

21.8 km² - Tidal Marsh
  0.0 km² - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
  2.4 km² - Shallow Water
  2.8 km  - Beaches

The Lower Pamunkey River is located in King & Queen and New Kent Counties extending from the river mouth (West Point) to Cohoke Marsh. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped (8.6% developed riparian lands (predominantly residential), 4.4% agriculture, and 2.9% hardened shoreline). Both counties have low average annual rates of permitted shoreline hardening ranging from 0.1-0.2 km/yr (0.04-0.05% 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

• Estuarine Beach Vulnerability - depiction of existing estuarine beach and vulnerability to inundation from projected sea level rise within 50-100 years. Beaches classified at low risk represent potential habitat preservation opportunities

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

Link to map information and data sources