The Jackson River is a major tributary of the James River

James River

The James River may refer to:Rivers in the United States and their namesakes* James River * James River , North Dakota, South Dakota* James River * James River * James River...

 in the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of Virginia

Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...

, flowing 96.4 miles (155.1 km). The James River is formed by the confluence of the Jackson River and the Cowpasture River

Cowpasture River

The Cowpasture River is a chief tributary of the James River in western Virginia in the United States. It is long.-Course:The Cowpasture rises in northeastern Highland County and flows generally southwestwardly, initially between Bullpasture Mountain and Shaws Ridge through a narrow valley floor...

.

Course

The Jackson River rises in Highland County, Virginia

Highland County, Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,536 people, 1,131 households, and 764 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 1,822 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...

, near the border of West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...

. It flows south between Back Creek Mountain and Jack Mountain, entering Bath County

Bath County, Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile...

, where it continues to flow south. The Jackson River is impounded by Gathright Dam

Gathright Dam

Gathright Dam is an earthen and rolled rock-fill embankment dam on the Jackson River north of Covington, Virginia. The dam is tall and long and has a controlled spillway within the structure's southern portion. It creates Lake Moomaw, which has a normal volume of . The dam serves flood control...

 in Alleghany County

Alleghany County, Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,926 people, 5,149 households, and 3,866 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 5,812 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...

, creating Lake Moomaw

Lake Moomaw

Lake Moomaw is a lake in western Virginia. It is formed by the Gathright Dam on the Jackson River. The lake is named for Benjamin Moomaw, a local businessman who was a promoter of the dam project. Outlet from the lake can be released from nine portals at various depths, in order to control...

. From the dam, Jackson River flows south and then east through Alleghany County, through the city of Covington

Covington, Virginia

Covington is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia, located at the confluence of Jackson River and Dunlap Creek. It is in Alleghany County where it is also the county seat. The population was 5,961 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Covington with Alleghany...

 and the town of Clifton Forge

Clifton Forge, Virginia

Clifton Forge is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States which is part of the Roanoke Region. The population was 3,884 at the 2010 census. The Jackson River flows through the town, which as a result was once known as Jackson's River Station....

, before joining with the Cowpasture River to create the James River.

The river is named for the first settler on its banks, William Jackson, who received a grant of 270 acres (1.1 km²) from King George II

George II of Great Britain

George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...

 in 1750. Jackson was possibly an acquaintance of Alexander Dunlap, the first settler on the Calfpasture River

Calfpasture River

The Calfpasture River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It flows about from its source, Gordons Peak in the Allegheny Mountains, to its confluence with the Little Calfpasture River, forming the Maury River. Via the Maury, the Calfpasture's waters flow into the James River, thence...

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