You’re receiving this e-Newsletter with updates on the Ragged Mountain Pool Fill Project, part of Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance our community’s water supply.

Barge Mobilization Expected Next Week

Exciting progress is underway! As part of the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority’s (RWSA) Ragged Mountain Pool Fill Project, a floating barge will arrive next week. Unlike large shipping barges, the one slated to be used at the reservoir will be modular in design, allowing for it to be assembled onsite. Several trucks will transport sections of the barge up Reservoir Road. Final assembly will occur near the existing boat ramp.

The floating barge will transport equipment and trees across the reservoir without the need to create logging access roads. This method helps reduce impacts to the land surrounding the reservoir.

Tree Clearing Efforts

RWSA's contractor plans to start felling trees on Monday, November 17. Tree clearing efforts are permitted from November 15 to March 31, to coincide with the Northern Long-eared Bat's inactive season. Initial clearing efforts will occur in the southwestern portion of the reservoir. To protect water quality from decaying organics, all trees and brush within the new pool level will be removed. The contractor will harvest as much of the timber as possible. Vegetation unsuitable for harvesting will be burned on-site in burn boxes.

To reduce traffic disruptions on Reservoir Road, logging convoys will enter the construction site each morning and leave together in the evening.

Construction Schedule

November 17, 2025: Tree felling efforts begin.
February 14, 2026: Burning operations will stop to coincide with Albemarle County's open burn ordinances.
March 31, 2026: Tree felling efforts will cease. The contractor will continue to remove fallen trees.
May 1, 2026: Burning operations will resume.
December 31, 2026: Tentative scheduled completion of construction activities. All trails to fully reopen.
January 1, 2027: RWSA begins filling the reservoir to its new elevation height if there is at least 30 million gallons per day spilling from the Sugar Hollow Reservoir.

Want to learn more about the Ragged Mountain Pool Fill Project? Visit our dedicated construction webpage.

Construction Webpage

The Ragged Mountain Pool Fill Project is One of Several Projects Underway in the Region

In 2002, the Central Virginia Region experienced a historical drought of record. This drought and the water supply needs of the Charlottesville/Albemarle region sparked a decade-long water supply planning process (2002-2012).

Over the next five years, RWSA will invest more than $300 million to enhance our urban raw water storage capabilities, raw water transmission pipelines, and transmission pipelines for finished water (treated drinking water). The purpose of these projects is to improve the capacity, redundancy, and resiliency of our drinking water systems. Doing so will help prevent unplanned outages and ensure residents have a constant, reliable, clean supply of water at their tap.

Click image to enlarge

New Earthen Dam - In 2014, RWSA completed building a new dam at Ragged Mountain Reservoir.
Water Treatment Plant Improvements - Recent facility upgrades have substantially increased each plant’s treatment capacity.
Ragged Mountain Reservoir Pool Fill Project - RWSA will fully utilize the reservoir’s storage capacity by adding 700 million gallons for a total of 2.1 billion gallons.
RMR to OBWTP Raw Water Line and Pump Station - A new 36” transmission pipe is replacing two smaller 70 and 100-year-old transmission pipes.
South Rivanna River Crossing - A large 24” finished water transmission pipe is being added to better support the northern area in Albemarle County.
Central Water Line - The Central Water Line will provide a high-flow, large-diameter finished water transmission pipe that will better connect RWSA’s treatment facilities, transmission pipes, and water storage tanks.
SFRR to RMR Raw Water Line - The new line will allow RWSA to fully utilize the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir’s watershed and Ragged Mountain Reservoir's storage capacity. It will also allow both water treatment plants to pull from either or both reservoirs.

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695 Moores Creek Ln
Charlottesville, VA 22902
USA