RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Blue crabs are turning up in the Richmond area of the James River, a sign of how ongoing drought conditions change the river.
Reduced freshwater runoff into the Chesapeake Bay has allowed saltier water from the Bay to push farther upstream, increasing salinity levels in the James River and making it easier for species such as blue crabs to travel inland. This is a normal thing when the river drops. I’m not suggesting this is something new. But it might be something “new to you.”
Blue crabs have 10 legs, with the back two being “flippers” that help them swim. They are actually really good at it!
I saw this up close during a drought six or seven years ago. I waded in the James river water near the Mayo Bridge, looked down into the water after the last line of riffles in the river and was amazed to see blue crabs swimming around…