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Little Creek Watershed
About

The Little Creek Waterways were historically part of the Lynnhaven River system. Over time, some were cut off from the river to provide a source of fresh water.

Characteristic
Information
Source
Location
  • Northwestern part of the city of Virginia Beach.
  • Bayside 
  • Third Precinct 
Size
  • 8,875 acres 4.6% of the city
Population Density
Land Use (Urban/Rural)
  • Majority Federal and State
  • Some industrial, multi-family and commercial
% owned by the state or federal
  • Majority owned by State and Federal 
Names of Federal or State properties
  • Joint Expeditionary Base-Little Creek
Major Bodies of Water
  • Lake Joyce (drains into the Lynnhaven)
  • Little Creek Reservoir
  • Lake Smith
  • Lake Lawson
    (All three are owned and managed by the city of Norfolk. This manmade reservoir system helps supply water to residents in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and parts of Chesapeake)
  • Chub Lake Drains into:
  • Lake Bradford

Salinity
  • Little Creek Reservoir, Lake Smith, Lake Lawson – Freshwater 
Tides
  • Lunar tidal wetland & 
  • Non tidal wetland 
Threats
  • Erosion, flooding, sea-level rise 
  • High flood risk due to both nature based and build systems working in tandem. 
Recreation Areas (access points, natural areas, parks)
Other
  • This sub-watershed is designated by the City as a bird sanctuary and conservation area. 
  • VB City Code Section 5-31 
Flora and Fauna
Characteristic
Information
Source
Plants of Interest
  • Bald cypress
  • Magnolia
  • Mountain laurel

 

 

Nature Notes
Animals of Interest
  • Egret, northern water snakes, bald eagle, osprey  
  • Fish – walleye, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, blue catfish, pickerel, catfish, bowfin, bream/bluegill, crappie and striped bass. 
Urban Tree Canopy
Wetlands
Other Organisms
  • Oysters – Little Creek Cove
Background Information

The Little Creek watershed is one of the more altered watersheds in Virginia Beach. Before the military base and reservoir systems existed, this sub-watershed once mirrored much of how the Lynnhaven River system works today. 

Characteristic
Information
Source
History
  • The Amphibious Training Base at  Little Creek constructed in 1942; became operational in 1943
Misc.
  • One of the two wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) owned by HRSD is in the Little Creek Watershed. The Chesapeake-Elizabeth WWTP has a treatment capacity of 24 million gallons of water per day.
  • One of 4 major aquifers providing both fresh and brackish groundwater to the South Hampton Roads area (includes City of VB) is located in the Little Creek Watershed. 

 

Do you live in the Little Creek Watershed? Order your FREE sticker today! Email Office@LRNow.org 

Don’t know which watershed you live in? Click HERE to discover your watershed.

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
PEARL HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS

PEARL HOMES are places where people care about our environment and want to do what they can to help protect our resources.

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PEARL SCHOOLS

Lynnhaven River NOW recognizes schools providing outstanding environmental education as a Pearl School.

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PEARL BUSINESSES

PEARL BUSINESSES are essential to truly move towards a more sustainable Virginia Beach and cleaner waters.

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PEARL FAITH

We all want to do our part to restore the health of all of our sacred waterways and protect them for future generations to enjoy.

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SUSTAINABLE YARDS PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE YARDS PROGRAM: Let us help you “green” your Lynnhaven watershed home. This unique program provides specific stormwater management practices to your yard at a significantly reduced cost to you.

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