A river in central
Virginia that flows into the James River in James City County.
The Chickahominy was named after the
native inhabitants of the region; the name means literally "course pounded corn people". The Chickahominy people still survive in Virginia to this day, with about a thousand members.
The river played a central role in the strategic planning of both armies during the American Civil War, due to its proximity to
Richmond, Va.
The
watershed of the Chickahominy covers approximately 470 square miles. The river is popular with bass fisherman, and the lower, swampy areas are an excellent hunting ground for wood duck.
Osprey, blue herons,
beavers and fresh water mussels are all drawn to the river. Considering the general pollution in the Chesapeake and Virginia areas, the Chickahominy is still relatively clean and alive.