2019 Map of East of Hampton

About this map

Maritime boundaries and seafloor features take center stage in this coastal study of the Chesapeake Bay region. The map focuses on the watery intersection of four major Virginia municipalities: Poquoson, Hampton, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. In place of inland topography, the chart details critical navigational areas including the Intracoastal Waterway and significant underwater landmarks such as Thimble Shoal and the Horseshoe. This 2019 survey documents the modern maritime jurisdiction and infrastructure at the mouth of the James River, providing an essential record of the shipping lanes and jurisdictional lines that define one of the nation’s busiest harbor entrances. The absence of land-based features emphasizes the strategic importance of the bay's bathymetry and the complex boundary agreements between these historic independent cities.