Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Drainage Ditches

— Greensprings Interpretive Trail —

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

1. Drainage Ditches Marker

Inscription. Low-lying uplands and wetlands are capable of storing large quantities of stormwater. However, this valuable ecosystem service can cause flooding in nearby neighborhoods perched too close to poorly drained soils. Ditching areas for irrigation or drainage is an engineering practice that has been going on since the dawn of civilization. There are numerous ditches in this area; some are remnant fence structures used to keep hogs from burrowing; others were used to demarcate property boundaries. This ditch predates the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance and is helpful in draining water away from a local neighborhood.

Erected by James City County Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment.

Location. 37° 14.626′ N, 76° 46.79′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It can be reached from John Tyler Highway east of Greensprings Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Greensprings Interpretive Trail. The address given is for Jamestown High School, which includes the northern trailhead and parking

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area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3751 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Native Life (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indentured Servitude (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heritage Trees (approx. ¼ mile away); Holly Cathedral (approx. ¼ mile away); The Headright System (approx. 0.3 miles away); Forebay Drainage Basins (approx. 0.3 miles away); Unique Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Agricultural Revolution

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

2. Drainage Ditches Marker

(approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.