Ragged Mountain Reservoir Construction Update

Tree-clearing efforts are underway. [Photo Credit: Rob Woodside, RWSA GIS Coordinator]

As we move through the winter season, we’re pleased to share several updates regarding the Ragged Mountain Pool Fill Project.

For those who may be new to this newsletter, welcome! This project stems from an amendment to the 2012 Ragged Mountain Dam Agreement that allows RWSA to fully utilize the reservoir’s storage capacity. Once complete, the pool level will rise an additional twelve feet, increasing water storage by approximately 700 million gallons. This added capacity strengthens our region’s long-term water supply and resiliency.

While much of this information is available on our website, we appreciate the opportunity to provide a helpful recap and share recent developments.

Tree-Clearing Efforts Continue

Click map to enlarge

Tree-clearing operations are progressing steadily and remain on schedule.

The clearing activities aim to reduce the amount of decaying organic matter in the water once the water level increases.

Clearing efforts are expected to continue through the end of March, aligning with the inactive season of the federally protected Northern Long-eared Bat, which typically overwinters in caves. Conducting work during this period helps protect this species and ensures compliance with regulations.

Trees are unloaded from a barge. [Photo Credit: George Cheape, RWSA Safety Manager]

To reduce impacts on the surrounding land, the contractor is utilizing barges to move equipment and harvested trees across the reservoir, rather than constructing temporary logging roads. All timber is loaded onto trucks and transported off-site for processing.

Lower Parking Lot Activity

In the coming weeks, construction activity will continue around the lower parking lot across from Camp Holiday Trails. Tree clearing adjacent to the lot has been completed, and the contractor is currently stripping soil for use in the new blanket drain system at the dam. As work progresses, visitors may notice increased traffic in and out of the area. Flaggers will be on site to help control traffic flow into the lot while trucks haul material to the dam.

Recent Winter Weather

Barges sit idle during the recent cold spell. [Photo Credit: George Cheape, RWSA Safety Manager]

This winter has brought unusually cold temperatures to the region, transforming many of our reservoirs into beautiful winter wonderlands. While the icy landscape provided a beautiful seasonal backdrop, it also prompted us to issue a safety notice to local media outlets, reminding the community of the dangers associated with walking on frozen water. Warmer temperatures have since thawed the ice, but we would like to thank everyone for their cooperation in keeping our reservoirs safe during the cold spell.

Recreational Trail Use

As we look ahead to warmer weather and increased outdoor activity, we anticipate seeing more visitors on the trails around the reservoir. Many of the trails east of the reservoir will remain open for recreational use. However, trails north, west, and south of the reservoir will remain closed. These closures are in place to help keep everyone safe from heavy construction equipment and active work zones. Please take a moment to look out for posted signs and follow their directions to stay safe.

Construction Along Reservoir Road

Separate, but related construction activity, is underway as part of our Ragged Mountain Reservoir to Observatory Water Treatment Plant Raw Water Line Project.

This project includes installing four miles of new 36-inch raw water pipe to replace two aging 18-inch pipes. The pipeline's alignment runs along sections of Reservoir Road, and visitors have likely seen excavation equipment nearby.

To help expedite the removal of stubborn rock, controlled blasts are occurring. The process involves drilling into rock and setting small charges. Heavy mats are laid across the surface to prevent loose debris from leaving the site when working close to homes, structures, and roadways. Before each blast, a localized siren will go off to signal the impending detonation. Each blast may generate a sound level up to 120 decibels and cause minor localized ground vibrations.

Concrete forms are built for the new Ragged Mountain Raw Water Pump Station. [Photo Credit: Austin Marrs, RWSA Senior Civil Engineer]

Another infrastructure component of the project is the new Ragged Mountain Raw Water Pump Station. Replacing both the Stadium Road and Royal pump stations located near UVA, the new pump station will be capable of moving 10 million gallons of water per day to the Observatory Water Treatment Plant. The pump station will also play a critical role when the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir to Ragged Mountain Reservoir Raw Water Line Project is complete. Construction of the new pump station is taking place across the road from the Regents School of Charlottesville.

More Project Information

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 pumping and transmission pipelines, and distribution 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.
Ragged Mountain Reservoir to Observatory Water Treatment Plant 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