Jackson River Jacksons River, Jackson's River
A CSX freight train crosses the Jackson River near Covington.
Location of the mouth of the Jackson River in Virginia
Etymology	William Jackson, the first settler on the river.[2]
Location
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Alleghany County, Botetourt County, Bath County, Highland County
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Appalachian Mountains, Highland County, Virginia
• coordinates	38°26′7″N 79°38′35″W / 38.43528°N 79.64306°W / 38.43528; -79.64306[1]
Mouth	James River
• location	Alleghany County, Virginia
• coordinates	37°47′3″N 79°46′33″W / 37.78417°N 79.77583°W / 37.78417; -79.77583[1]
Length	96 mi (154 km)

The Jackson River is a major tributary of the James River in the U.S. state of Virginia, flowing 96.4 miles (155.1 km).^[3] The James River is formed by the confluence of the Jackson River and the Cowpasture River.

Course

The Jackson River rises in Highland County, Virginia, near the border of West Virginia. It flows south between Back Creek Mountain and Jack Mountain, entering Bath County, where it continues to flow south. The Jackson River is impounded by Gathright Dam in Alleghany County, creating Lake Moomaw. From the dam, Jackson River flows south and then east through Alleghany County, through the city of Covington and the town of Clifton Forge, before joining with the Cowpasture River to create the James River.

The river is named for the first white settler on its banks,^[2] William Jackson, who received a grant of 270 acres (1.1 km²) from King George II in 1750.^[4] Jackson was possibly an acquaintance of Alexander Dunlap, the first white settler on the Calfpasture River.^[5]