Tributaries of the James River
1. What is a Tributary? Define in your own words.
A smaller stream or river that flows into a bigger river or lake, or the mainstem.
2. Name three major tributaries that empty into the James:
Jackson River, Cowpasture River, Chickahominy River, Appomattox river, Rivanna River,
Hardware River, Maury River, and Tye River. Any three of these are acceptable.
3. Activity: Which Tributary am I?
Go to Google Maps ( https://www.google.com/maps ) and enter the Latitude and
Longitude for each Letter below. Using google maps, you can figure out the name of the
tributary, as well as track its flow to the James River. The first one is done for you.
A. 37.617987, -78.909168
What is the Name of your Tributary?
Buffalo Creek
How does this Tributary flow into the
James River?
Buffalo Creek > Tye River > James River
Does this Tributary system empty into the Upper, Middle, or Lower Section of the
James River? How do you know?
Middle James, because the Tye River empties into the James downriver of Lynchburg,
but upriver of Richmond.
