SPACEPHOTOS

Great Dismal Swamp, Virginia June 1996 The remains of the Great Dismal Swamp are visible at the center of the image in this west-southwest-looking view. Once covering an area of 2200 sq miles (5700 sq km) from the mouth of the James River southward to near Albemarle Sound, the Great Dismal Swamp has been reduced to an area of less than 600 sq miles (1554 sq km) or 30 miles (48 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide. Draining of the swamp began in 1763. Today, the swamp is a National Wildlife Refuge and with its dense forests and tangled undergrowth, is a favorite site for sportsmen and naturalists. Drummond Lake, 7 miles (11 km) long and 5 miles (8 km) wide, situated at near 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level, can be seen as a dark blue circular feature in the middle of the swamp. Portions of the city of Portsmouth, Virginia are discernible in the lower left portion of the image. A small portion of the Chawan River in North Carolina can be seen in the upper right portion of the image