Center for Coastal Resources Management

Climate Change - Upper Pamunkey River - Tidal Fresh (PMKTF)

CURRENT COASTAL HABITAT COMPOSITION

  7.5 km² - Tidal Marsh
  3.6 km² - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
  5.6 km² - Shallow Water
  2.4 km  - Beaches

The Upper Pamunkey River is located in King William and New Kent Counties, extending upriver from Cohoke Marsh to Totopotomoy Creek. The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped (5.2% developed riparian lands (predominantly residential), 4.2% agriculture, and 1.8% hardened shoreline). Both counties have low average annual rates of permitted shoreline hardening of 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

• 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