In-Stream Water Quality

Preserving, Protecting and Restoring

Environmental Engineering has implemented programs to preserve, protect and restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of Chesterfield County's streams, rivers and lakes since 1996. The county is fortunate to have approximately 1,300 miles of streams, three reservoirs and about 124 miles of riverfront along the Appomattox and James Rivers. Learn more about Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas in Chesterfield.

In-Stream Water Quality Reports

As part of the monitoring required by the county's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, five stream sites are investigated during the year to evaluate conditions and to assess long-term water quality trends and patterns. The sites are monitored on a bi-monthly basis for in-stream chemistry and twice per year (March and October) for benthic macroinvertebrates and habitat. Sites have been selected in five of the county’s major watersheds with a dual goal of meeting permit required monitoring and assisting toward meeting restoration goals outlined in the county’s Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily loads (TMDL) project plan. The monitoring sites are as follows:

  • Kingsland Creek upstream of Jefferson Davis Highway
  • Pocoshock Creek west of Pocono Drive
  • Powhite Creek upstream of Old Bon Air Road
  • Tributary to Falling Creek upstream of Queensgate Road
  • Tributary to Proctors Creek upstream of Krause Road

Contact the water quality manager to request a copy of monitoring reports.

Swift Creek Reservoir and Watershed

The Swift Creek Reservoir was constructed in 1965 as a public water supply for Chesterfield County. The 12 million gallon per day capacity Addison-Evans Water Treatment and Laboratory Facility provides on average 7.5 million gallons per day of drinking water to the county. The reservoir is a 1,700-acre impoundment containing approximately 5.2 billion gallons of water. View Swift Creek Reservoir water quality reports.

The Swift Creek Reservoir watershed is located in the northwest part of the county and encompasses 61.9 square miles. Its headwaters are located in Powhatan County. The watershed is divided into the following subwatersheds, based on its tributary streams:

  • Dry Creek
  • Fuqua Creek
  • Horsepen Creek/Blackman Creek/Deep Creek
  • Little Tomahawk Creek
  • Otterdale Creek
  • Tomahawk Creek
  • Turkey Creek/Swift Creek
  • West Branch