Black Water Creek Restoration Project in Lynchburg, life after College Lake Dam
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) – With the breaching and deconstruction of the College Lake Dam well underway, the next phase of the project, the restoration of the Black Water Creek that once flowed through the area, will move forward.
Erin Hawkins, the Water Quality Manager for the City of Lynchburg and head of the project, gave WFXR News insight into the extensive work that goes into returning the environment to its natural state.
“The dam is considered high hazard and breaching is just step one,” said Hawkins.
After the dam has been deconstructed, large amounts of sediment, which is considered a pollutant, will be removed, and taken offsite. This will allow crews with W.C. English and RES to begin reconfiguring the stream.
RELATED STORY: Breaching on College Lake Dam begins in Lynchburg, wetlands to be restored
The stream landscape was designed by AECOM, an engineering consulting firm, to mimic natural riffles, runs, and pools, as well as prevent head-cutting using Grade Control Structures.
“Streams want to meander, bend, and create their own equilibrium,” said Hawkins. “This is called ‘sinuosity’. This will bring stabilization to the area.”
Natural seeds, grasses, and flora will then be planted. RES will then replant trees and root structures called “root wads” they have already harvested from the area to stabilize the banks. Hawkins says they are trying to reuse as much of the natural habitat as possible, bringing wildlife back into the area.
According to Hawkins, there are expected to be many positive impacts to both wildlife and residents within the project area.
The existing animals living in College Lake will simply travel downstream after the dam is deconstructed and “find new homes.” Additionally, she adds the reconstruction will alter the 100-year floodplain, benefiting homes in the area.
There will be an overall reduction in the 100-year flood plain, homes in the immediate project area will come out of the flood zone,”
Hawkins
The City of Lynchburg has coordinated with FEMA which is working on updating flood zone maps, which are expected to be released sometime in 2025, according to Hawkins.
The city asks residents to use caution while traveling in the area until the project is scheduled for completion in June 2025.
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