Loading map...

2016 Map of Big Island

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Big Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The James River carves a deep path through the Blue Ridge Mountains along the border of Amherst and Bedford counties, creating a landscape defined by dramatic elevation changes and historical river-based industry. The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway winds across the high ridges, passing Otter Lake and crossing the heights near Peavine Mtn. At the river's edge, the communities of Big Island and Coleman Falls center around the water, which is harnessed by the Big Island Reservoir and Colemans Fall Reservoir.

Away from the main river valley, the terrain is intersected by numerous drainages such as Otter Cr and Pedlar River, which once supported rural settlements like Naola and Pedlar Mills. Genealogists may find interest in the centrally located Ivy Hill Cem or the smaller clusters of development at Waugh and Pera. Large portions of the territory are protected within the George Washington National Forest and Jefferson National Forest, preserving the wooded character of landmarks like Hamilton Knob and Miners Mtn.