2011 Map of Great Machipongo Inlet

About this map

Great Machipongo Inlet serves as a primary maritime gateway between the barrier islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore and the open sea. This 2011 survey illustrates the dynamic coastal landscape of Northampton County, featuring the southern tip of Hog Island and the northern portion of Cobb Island. The area is defined by complex hydrography, including Hog Island Bay and the deep-water passage of Rowes Hole Channel. These shifting barrier island systems are critical to understanding the historical changes in Virginia’s shoreline and the protection of the inland salt marshes. The vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean dominates the southeastern portion of the map, underscoring the maritime character of this largely uninhabited coastal region.