http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler stories of landscapes, conservation, and people in and beyond the Rivanna Watershed Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:11:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 © lmiddleton@embarqmail.com () lmiddleton@embarqmail.com() stories of landscapes, conservation, and people in and beyond the Rivanna Watershed lmiddleton@embarqmail.com No no http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler 144 144 http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/10/16/107-south-fork-rivanna-reservoir-task-force/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/10/16/107-south-fork-rivanna-reservoir-task-force/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:24:26 +0000 admin http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/10/16/107-south-fork-rivanna-reservoir-task-force/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/10/16/107-south-fork-rivanna-reservoir-task-force/feed/ 0
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6:03 October 16, 2008 The South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, built in 1966, is continuing to silt in from upstream erosion.nbsp; The South Fork Rivanna Reservoir Task Force ... October 16, 2008 The South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, built in 1966, is continuing to silt in from upstream erosion.nbsp; The South Fork Rivanna Reservoir Task Force is examining the condition of the reservoir and is seeking public input regarding its uses and fate. This show originally aired on October 5, 2006 and as an encore on October 9, 2008nbsp; on ldquo;The Rivanna Rambler,rdquo; a weekly public affairs show airing every Thursday at 11:55 a.m. on WTJU 91.1 FM or wtju.net. Almost twice a month for the last couple of months, a small group of citizens and representatives of various stakeholders has been meeting to discuss the fate of the South Fork Ravenna Reservoir.nbsp; The members of this task force represent the variety of uses and benefits that the reservoir now affords this community. Built in 1966 to augment the storage capacity at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, it now also provides miles of flatwater for varsity and community rowers.nbsp; Fishermen come from surrounding counties to launch jon boats at all times of day and night.nbsp; Novice canoeists learn their first skills on its calm dark waters.nbsp; The upper reaches of Ivy Creek consistently offer sightings of beaver, green and great blue herons, turtles, and, sometimes even bobcats. The reservoir also provides an immutable kind of pleasure and solace that only an expanse of water can do ndash; one that can be appreciated looking upstream or down while crossing its bridges, or for the fortunate few who live along its shores, from livings rooms and decks.nbsp; Out of sight ndash; and out of the minds of most ndash; is what lies beneath, the remains of a small but thriving African American community at Hydraulic Mills which was vacated and submerged when the waters rose after the dam construction. The aesthetic, recreational, and ecological benefits were never the primary purpose of building this reservoir, but as the community contemplates its future, it is these very benefits that the Task Force has been asked to consider by the four chairs ndash; two of them elected, Charlottesville's Mayor, Dave Norris, and the Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Ken Boyd ndash; and two appointed, the Chair of the Albemarle County Service Authority Board, Don Wagner, and the RWSA Board Chair, Mike Gaffney. The Task Force has been asked to determine what would happen to the reservoir if nothing is done to maintain it hellip; and to make recommendations about whether or not to maintain itndash; presumably by dredging.nbsp; And finally, if dredging is to be recommended, for what purpose?nbsp; Retain the ecologic benefits?nbsp; The recreational benefits?nbsp; The guidance was clear to the Task Force ndash; With the approved water supply as a given, lets turn our attention to the South Fork Reservoir. It may seem to some a no-brainer that, of course, we would maintain this piece of aging infrastructure ndash; one that in the 1960s was actually designed for a useful life of only fifty years.nbsp; That's the way it was done back then ndash; and we are not alone in this community in grappling what to do now that hindsight has caught up with us and our infrastructure, including dams, now demand attention. And you'd think that dredging the South Fork should obviously become the centerpiece of any future water supply plan ndash; but somehow, it didn't in this last go around.nbsp; How could that be so? There are a variety of reasons, some regulatory and some practical.nbsp; Foremost is the fact that simply dredging to the original volume will not get this community to the 50 year need, based on growth and water use predictions.nbsp; And there are other issues:nbsp; dredging requires permits from the Army Corp of Engineers, who carefully regulate all land-disturbing activity on river bottoms and who are especially watchful over the wetlands that provide multiple ecologic benefit. And the water supply plan must address other aspects of aging... Albemarle,County,,Charlottesville,,Headwaters,,Ivy,Creek,,Moormans,River,,Rivanna,River,,Sediment,,South,Fork,,Water,Supply lmiddleton@embarqmail.com no No http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/09/18/103-swimming-with-snakes/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/09/18/103-swimming-with-snakes/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:59:15 +0000 admin http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/09/18/103-swimming-with-snakes/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/09/18/103-swimming-with-snakes/feed/ 0 00:01:01 September 18, 2008 A trip with Cole Peale-Grody to find the northern water snake on the North Fork of the Moormans River in Sugar Hollow ... September 18, 2008 A trip with Cole Peale-Grody to find the northern water snake on the North Fork of the Moormans River in Sugar Hollow results in enough close encounters that The Rambler learns to feel comfortable swimming with these non-poisonous snakes. This show originally aired in September 11, 2008 on ldquo;The Rivanna Rambler,rdquo; a weekly public affairs show airing every Thursday at 11:55 a.m. on WTJU 91.1 FM or wtju.net When we arrive at the informal parking lot at Sugar Hollow Reservoir, it isn't surprising to find almost every available parking slot between the tall trees already taken. It's a hot Sunday afternoon with moist air pushed northward by the hurricane ndash; most are here to get cool, to swim or sit by the water. But Cole Peale-Grody, his father, Charles, and me have another goal. Along with another father-son team we meet here, we're going snake hunting on the north fork of the Moormans in Shenandoah National Park, where today folks have filled every available swimming hole, mostly oblivious of the fact the they are sharing the cool water with the Northern water snake, On the drive out Cole tells me that he caught his first snake, a ringneck, at five years and has been into them ever since. He likes them because they are, well, "cool"ndash; like any passion words are not adequate for the deep attraction some feel for certain landscapes, or animals, or works of art. And, as Cole's father explains, he's also got the eyes. On outing after outing, Cole invariably is the first one to spot the snakes, whether on the ground, under a log, or draped over a tree limb above. Since the river is so crowded, Cole says we'll likely find them where the people aren't. Though snakes donrsquo;t have ears, they can sense vibrations from sound and movement, so we start our trek up the river bed, rock-hopping from pool to boulder. Not as nimble as the guys, I'm well behind when I hear that the first snake has been spotted. As I round the bend, I see Cole already handling a slim dark snake about two feet long, with his younger friend, Drake, looking on. Turns out they'd spotted the snake on a small rock dam that had been built to create a swimming hole that is presently in use by another family, who are all busy scrambling over to see the catch. We all gather around as Cole explains that the snake does have long teeth and will bite humans ndash; but only if it's been cornered or mis-handled. Perhaps it is unnerving to think that they inhabit the swimming hole here, but there's really little to fear since these, as well as all other snakes seen in the water in this part of Virginia, are non-venomous and have no interest in us except to not get caught. If it hadn't been for Cole's keen eyes and quick hands, the snake would be nowhere to be found amidst the family splashing. And once caught, the snake slowly calms as Cole expertly hand over hands its long curling body. After awhile, it stops moving, and I have the opportunity to touch it. Now, I fall into the category of those who would never consider catching a snake, let alone holding one. And though I understand that this snake is not dangerous, it's still a bit of a stretch for me to touch it. But now that I'm in the second half of life, I'm inclined to go back and fill in the gaps of my experience. In spite of the slightly keeled (or ridged) scales, the snake's firm body has a texture that is soft and cool. On this hot afternoon, the snake has as much need of the water to cool itself as we humans have the desire to take to the water for the same reason. Eventually, since Cole is a practitioner of the catch-and-release style of snake hunting, he steps back into the water to let the snake go near the rock dam, and it glides into a dark wet hole in the wall. We make our way up to a popular swimming spot where the trail crosses the river. Apparently, it is known as "Snake Hole," though likely not by the forty odd folks who are cong... Albemarle,County,,Ecology,,Headwaters,,Moormans,River,,Rivanna,River,,Tributaries,,Wildlife lmiddleton@embarqmail.com no No http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/05/16/88-questions-about-the-water-supply-plan/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/05/16/88-questions-about-the-water-supply-plan/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 23:19:54 +0000 admin http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/05/16/88-questions-about-the-water-supply-plan/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2008/05/16/88-questions-about-the-water-supply-plan/feed/ 2 00:01:01 May 15, 2008 This show originally aired on May 15, 2008 on ldquo;The Rivanna Rambler,rdquo; a weekly public affairs show airing every Thursday at 11:55 a.m. ... May 15, 2008 This show originally aired on May 15, 2008 on ldquo;The Rivanna Rambler,rdquo; a weekly public affairs show airing every Thursday at 11:55 a.m. on WTJU 91.1 FM or wtju.net. The community water supply plan that is under question has been permitted, as it must be, by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on February 11, 2008. That plan was approved unanimously by the City Council and Albemarle County Board of Supervisors in 2006. Because our area is not blessed by natural reservoirs, nor rivers whose flows are adequate at every time of the year to yield water for human use even at our present population, we rely on reservoirs to store water for times of scant rainfall and low flows. When our urban population was smaller in the late 1890's and early 1900's, the City of Charlottesville set aside land to create the first, and then subsequently expanded, Ragged Mountain Reservoir. This reservoir is unlike the South Fork in that it is not filled by a running river but rather by aging pipeline from the headwaters of the Rivanna, the North and South Forks of the Moormans River, now impounded by the Sugar Hollow dam. The Ragged Mountain reservoir has a watershed that is relatively small and does not appreciably contribute to the supply impounded in the reservoir. In addition, its slopes are completely forested except for I-64, which bisects the western portion of its watershed. The South Fork Reservoir was built in 1965 with no planning for periodic removal of sediment captured from upstream sources by some form of dredging. It is indeed a very good thing that the community is now waking up to a fact that residents adjacent to the South Fork, boaters and fishermen on its impounded waters, and watershed planners have long known: we have lost about a 1/3 of the storage capacity of this reservoir ndash;and annually this number is increasing and the storage capacity is decreasing. Mudflats impede UVA and community rowers in upstream bends in the river, every rain event brings another wedge of sediment laden water from up-watershed, attempts to travel up Ivy Creek by canoe from the Woodlands Road bridge can only take you so far before you are walking through soft mud. So people are asking ndash; why not just dredge the reservoir and restore its function to store the drinking water that we need? The answer depends upon whether or not you think that cost estimates from eager dredging companies are accurate enough on which to base a water supply. On whether or not you think that it is OK to chop down or inundate trees on land already set aside for the very purpose of storing water ndash; and that was timbered for profit by the City of Charlottesville as recently as the 1950s. Or whether or not we have any obligation to restore natural flows to the Moorman's River, a pristine, headwater stream known for its diversity of aquatic habitat. Or whether you question the numbers ndash; developed by engineers and planners and endorsed by the State of Virginia -- used to project human water usage for the next 50 years. Or whether you believe that dredging should be considered a maintenance task like the nutrient removal upgrades required for Moore Creek Treatment Plant, or other upgrades needed for O-Hill and South Fork water plants. Or whether you think ndash; or hope ndash; that our still growing population will find, collectively, the political and moral will to use water more smartly, and less, in the years to come, regardless of unpredictable changes in rainfall patterns wrought from climate change. Or whether perhaps this time ndash; some 50 years after the South Fork was built, we are entering a time of investment, much as our forebears found it necessary and unavoidable to do, and must plan for our and our children's future ndash; and knowing that it will be costly, we are still willing to bear that cost because it is the right thing to do. Albemarle,County,,Charlottesville,,Moormans,River,,Rivanna,River,,Sediment,,South,Fork,,Water,Conservation,,Water,Supply lmiddleton@embarqmail.com no No http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2007/11/22/66-encounter-along-the-south-fork-moormans-river/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2007/11/22/66-encounter-along-the-south-fork-moormans-river/#comments Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/?p=16 http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2007/11/22/66-encounter-along-the-south-fork-moormans-river/feed/ 0 http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2007/10/31/64-sugar-hollow-on-halloween/ http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2007/10/31/64-sugar-hollow-on-halloween/#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:06:00 +0000 admin http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/?p=14 http://www.cvillepublicmedia.org/rambler/2007/10/31/64-sugar-hollow-on-halloween/feed/ 1