Lower Rappahannock River (RPPMH)

In 2001, SAV area in segment RPPMH increased to 193.58 ha, 166% more than in 2000 (72.87 ha), and has been increasing for three years. This segment accounted for only 2.1% of SAV in the Lower Bay Zone, and a small portion (0.61%) of the Bay total. The Tier I goal (999.92 ha) was not met for RPPMH, and has not been met for this segment since the inception of the aerial survey for the Lower Bay in 1971.

On the northern shore of the lower Rappahannock River, SAV expanded to the north of Towles Point (Map 110); off Orchard Point and at the mouth of Sanders Cove (Map 111). In addition, new SAV beds were mapped above Greenvale Creek, in Carters Creek and the Eastern Branch (Maps 110, 111); below the Norris Bridge, in Mosquito Creek and to the east of Mosquito Island (Maps 111, 118). SAV also continued to expand in the region surrounding Mosquito Island and off Windmill Point (Map 118). On the southern shore of the Lower Rappahannock River, new SAV beds were mapped off Parrot Island (Map 117). All of these increases are due to the spread of widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima), which is the dominant species in this segment. Beds at Sanders Cove (Map 111), include eelgrass (Zostera marina) surviving from transplant projects conducted between 1996 and 2001.

The only notable area of decline for this segment occurred to the east of Towles Point (Map 110).