Loudoun Valley - Geography

Geography

The lush and fertile valley lies between Catoctin Mountain and the Bull Run Mountains to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. To the north it is bound by the Potomac River and to the south by the Broken Hills of Fauquier County. The small portion of the valley residing in Fauquier County is known as Upper Fauquier. The valley varies between 8 miles (13 km) and 12 miles (19 km) in width and is approximately 34 miles (55 km) long. The northern section of the valley is bisected by Short Hill Mountain. The area west of the Short Hill is known as Between the Hills and is distinct from the Loudoun Valley, while the area to the east, sometimes referred to as the Catoctin Valley, is associated with it.

Major watercourses include Goose Creek, Catoctin Creek, Panther Skin Run, and the Little River.

The three major highways across the valley are U.S. Route 50, which runs from Aldie on the east to Ashby Gap on the west; Route 7, which runs from Clarke's Gap west of Leesburg to Snickers Gap west of Bluemont; and Route 9, which diverges from Route 7 at Clarke's Gap and runs west to Keyes Gap on the West Virginia border.

The terrain is rolling, with numerous ridges and hills. Elevation of the valley ranges between 350 to 730 feet (110 to 220 m) above sea level. The region is temperate, with an annual rainfall of 40 to 50 inches (1,000 to 1,300 mm) and a mean average temperate of 50 to 55 °F.

The soil is formed from gneiss, clay / slate, hornblende, greenstone, and quartz particles, a fertile and durable soil, containing alumina, silex, potash, lime, and other natural fertilizing minerals.