Today, most of the pollutants in the Rappahannock come from agricultural runoff. That may change, however, as the land use patterns of the region change. Currently, only four percent of the Rappahannock basin is urban, but the population of the region is growing rapidly. The establishment of commuter rail service to Washington, D.C., has made it, along with nearby Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, a development hotspot. Meanwhile, areas downstream near the Chesapeake Bay, such as Middlesex and Lancaster counties, are currently weathering a boom in the construction of retirement homes and weekend retreats for those who live nearby in the Hampton Roads or Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas.
Population growth brings additional pollution which can lower water quality in the Rappahannock.
In addition, great inrushes of soil are an ever-present hazard for parts of the river that are near construction sites. Water supply is a growing concern, and a long-term solution will require regional cooperation. Pollution control and river preservation efforts by individuals will be more effective if coordinated within the framework of an overall management plan. The counties of Fauquier, Culpepper, and Rappahannock all have comprehensive land use management plans that call for preserving the area's rural character, while the City of Fredericksburg's zoning and land use regulations emphasize river preservation. Along with supporting the very real need for coordinated planning and management, individual residents of the Rappahannock basin can do a great deal to preserve the integrity of their river.