Va. Code Ann. § 21-292

The circuit courts of the several counties and cities of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction, power and authority to establish a levee, or drainage project or projects, in their several counties and cities and in projects as hereinafter set out, and to locate and establish levees, drains or canals and cause to be constructed, straightened, widened or deepened any land drainage, ditch, drain or watercourse, and to build levees or embankments and erect tide gates and pumping plants for the purpose of draining and reclaiming wet, swamp or overflowed lands.