RMNA
save ragged mountain
What You Can Do

Win-Win Alternative to the Current Water Supply Plan:
the Shadwell Quarry

Based on the following new component:
Use of the Shadwell Quarry as a reservoir

  1. Its capacity is estimated to be three billion gallons.
  2. It is located immediately adjacent to the mainstem of the Rivanna River.
  3. It is located in Pantops, a growth area.
  4. A water transmission main between Pantops and Avon St. (Southern Loop) is planned to begin in 2012 (RWSA Capital Improvement Program.)
  5. The water distribution system is scheduled to be revamped and interconnected in the near future.

Components

  1. Maintain current capacity of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir (1.1 billion gallons) through environmental dredging.
  2. Increase withdrawal capacity from the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir to meet the daily use requirement.
  3. Increase capacity at the South Fork Rivanna Water Treatment Plant to meet the daily use requirement.
  4. Maintain the Sugar Hollow Reservoir capacity of 360 million gallons for use during drought, until decommissioned.
  5. Maintain the Ragged Mountain Reservoir capacity of 514 million gallons for use during drought, until decommissioned. Repair rather than replace lower dam.
  6. Develop a plan and timetable to decommission the use of the Moormans River for daily intake (as other components are developed)

Benefits:

  1. South Fork Rivanna Reservoir is improved as a water intake during low flows and droughts. Its larger water reserve at the intake level will help to maintain a minimum release in the Rivanna River downstream of the intake pipe in times of low flow and drought
  2. Total water resources increase by approx. 3 billion gallons by the year 2050 (while maintaining the current capacity of approx 2 billion.)
  3. South Fork Rivanna Reservoir is preserved as a recreational community resource.
  4. The Moormans River is protected.
  5. The Ragged Mountain Natural Area is preserved.
  6. Maintains a diversified reservoir system (a public safety benefit)
  7. Saves cost of OWTP (20M), SFRR pipeline (56M), RMR dam (35M)
  8. Total costs are phased
  9. No mitigation is necessary as no environmental damage is done.
  10. The possibility of a new park in the Pantops area where the new reservoir is located.

Community Priorities

This plan meets all the community priorities established in the public meetings

  1. Least environmentally damaging solution
  2. Promote watershed protection
  3. Local collaboration
  4. Balanced and sustainable approach
  5. Restore in-stream flows to the Moormans