Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The following steps are taken in the designation of a candidate river segment.
Rivers or river segments are evaluated for scenic designation on the following factors from which a cumulative score is derived.
Stream segments that feature wide, forested riparian buffers and natural vegetation adjacent to the riverbanks are scored higher than those exhibiting obvious signs of human disturbances (e.g., natural vegetation cleared for logging, agriculture, lawn, etc.).
Because the intent of the program is to keep designated rivers in a native or natural state, significant channelization or impoundments negatively affect the scenic qualities of a river segment.
The development of buildings and structures along a river corridor can affect the quality of the scenery, particularly if such signs of human development are clearly visible to the recreational user during full foliage. Human development along the river is scored in two parts. The first focuses on the percentage of residential, commercial, and industrial development observed from the river in predominately urban areas, whereas the second is used to identify the average number of agricultural and residential structures or building “clusters” per mile of river in predominately rural settings. Higher scores are assigned to river corridors having few or no buildings, structures, or other signs of human development visible from the river.
Rivers were the primary transportation corridors in early America. For that reason, early residences and structures were typically oriented toward, and situated near, these early thoroughfares before the advent of reliable roadways. Historic structures and sites included or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or Virginia Landmarks Register located within 1,000 feet of a potential river segment improve historic and visual interest compared to rivers lacking such features.
The term “scenic” most directly refers to the quality of the scenery of the surrounding landscape through which a river flows. Two specific scenic attributes of the landscape — the diversity of the scenery and range (or distance) of views — are considered when scoring the scenic quality of a river’s viewshed, with higher scores assigned to those that feature views of diverse natural landscape features that are visible at considerable distances from the river.
The quantity and diversity of game fish present in a potential scenic river are important due to their intrinsic value to the river ecosystem and recreational value to anglers. The quality of a river’s fishery is based on the relative abundance of recreational fish varieties and the diversity and uniqueness of recreational species commonly caught on the river.
This criterion uses data from the Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) to identify the presence of natural flora, fauna, and habitats considered to be of statewide or greater significance along a potential river corridor. Additional or bonus points may be granted when data indicates the presence of rare or significant plants or wildlife located within 1,000 feet of the river.
Periodically visible pollution or chronically muddy or turbid water during the year impairs the scenic attributes of a river and results in a lower score than one that experiences sedimentation or turbidity rarely or only after periods of heavy rain.
The scenic river evaluation criteria include a potential river corridor's relative remoteness and roadlessness. Roads traditionally followed rivers as transportation routes, using the valleys and gorges formed by rivers to traverse natural obstacles. The presence of these features adjacent to a river and the extent to which road traffic is visible and audible to recreational users determines its score, with higher scores awarded to segments that exhibit few or no parallel roadways having visible or audible vehicle traffic.
The number and type of crossings by manmade infrastructure, whether by roads, railroads, overhead transmission lines, or similar facilities, may affect a river’s scenic beauty and lead to a lower score than a river having no such crossings. Underground pipelines and other facilities that cross underneath the riverbed and are not visible from the river do not affect the scoring.
This criterion considers the presence of additional natural and cultural river and river corridor features, identified through direct observation or experience, that enhance visual interest and scenic beauty. These features include, but are not limited to, islands, rapids, cascades, mature forests, culturally significant structures, and sense of isolation or remoteness. Higher scores are assigned for the evaluation criterion directly below (overall aesthetic appeal) to river segments exhibiting several or many of these attributes.
This rating considers all special features affecting aesthetics before applying an overall ranking, from low to exceptional, based on the combined aesthetic appeal of the river segment. A river assigned an exceptional ranking would have many of these features, diversity with respect to the special visual features observed, and extreme or dramatic contrasts in terms of scenery.
Since scenic river designation enhances a river’s appeal for recreational use, public recreational access is a significant consideration. The presence of one or more official public boat ramps, canoe and kayak launches, public use trails, or similar access for activities such boating, tubing, fishing, and swimming results in a higher score being assigned to a river segment than one having only informal public access such as a public road crossing, private access, or no access.
Additional recognition is awarded for a river segment where at least 25 percent of the land adjacent to the river is permanently protected by a conservation or open space easement, public park, or other form of preservation.
The following lists identify what a Scenic Rivers Designation does and does not do. While this list attempts to be comprehensive, we encourage you to contact us if you have specific questions about what the Program and what a designation may mean for your community.
For questions regarding the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program, please contact us.
