Back River (Virginia)
| Back River | ||
|
|
||
| Data | ||
| Water code | US : 1478125 | |
| location | Virginia (USA) | |
| River system | Back River | |
| Confluence of |
Northwest Branch Back River and Southwest Branch Back River 37 ° 6 ′ 0 ″ N , 76 ° 19 ′ 52 ″ W |
|
| Source height | 0 m | |
| muzzle |
Chesapeake Bay Coordinates: 37 ° 6 '44 " N , 76 ° 17' 42" W 37 ° 6 '44 " N , 76 ° 17' 42" W. |
|
| Mouth height | 0 m | |
| Height difference | 0 m | |
| Bottom slope | 0 ‰ | |
| length | 3 km | |
| Estuary | ||
The Back River is an estuary to the Chesapeake Bay between the cities of Hampton and Poquoson near Hampton Roads in the southeast of the US state Virginia .
It arises from the confluence of the waters Northwest Branch and Southwest Branch and is only about three kilometers long. The Back River is a spawning area for many of the fish in the bay, as well as the infamous blue crab . Originally the river was part of an important fishing area that supplied the local fish canning factories with supplies, but is now primarily used for recreational purposes and as a nature reserve. The river is popular for fishing and crab catching.
The southwest arm begins as Newmarket Creek , a tidal body formed from the marshland , whose headwaters are at Newport News . The northwest arm begins there as Brick Kiln Creek and is diked along the Hampton- York County line , creating the Big Bethel Reservoir . The water then heads to Poquoson, where it becomes the Northwest Branch .
The Back River Lighthouse , actually Grandview Light , used to stand on a windswept beach at the estuary. It was built by Winslow Lewis in 1829 for $ 4,250. In 1915 the approximately ten meter high tower was automated and the lighthouse keepers withdrawn. In 1936 the station was shut down and left to the elements and vandalism. Hurricane Flossy dealt the tower the decisive blow in 1956. The remains can still be seen today as a pile of rubble on the beach.