Historical land uses have left a legacy of eroded streambanks in portions of Biscuit Run Park, causing excessive sedimentation and streamflow that is disconnected from floodplains. The Biscuit Run Stream Restoration Master Plan (2022) envisions four phases of stream restoration within the park to correct these conditions which are harmful for aquatic wildlife.  

The first phase of restoration work in Biscuit Run spans 1 mile of stream and uses an approach that is new to our region – one that mimics the function of beaver dams!  Check out this video to learn more.

For construction updates on the Biscuit Run stream restoration project, click here. 

In April of 2019, Albemarle County completed the construction of a stream restoration project – using natural channel design – along a 1,278-ft reach of a degraded and actively-incising channel. The project is located near the Church of the Incarnation, on three privately-owned parcels. The channel has a total drainage area of 73 acres, of which 16 acres are impervious. 

Over time, the stream channel cut deeper and deeper (or incised) into the valley – creating, on average, five-foot high banks. As the channel is located at the bottom of a steep hill on both sides, it was not feasible to construct a new floodplain near the level of the channel bottom.  Therefore, the channel was filled in with soil so that the restored channel was re-connected to the existing floodplain. Other restoration activities included the installation of riffle and pool sequences to improve aquatic habitat; installation of rock sills/vanes, wood sills/vanes, root wad structures, and toe wood structures to ensure channel stability; and planting of native vegetation. This project was paid for by the County’s General Fund and the Virginia Stormwater Local Assistance Fund. 

Before & After images

This project resulted from a study of stormwater detention basins in Albemarle County that would be possible candidates for retrofits. The most promising candidate was an old detention basin located on a small stream in the RiverRun neighborhood, adjacent to Pen Park. The basin was no longer effective at controlling stormwater or removing pollutants, as evidenced by a breach in the basin’s embankment and severe downstream erosion.  

The solution chosen to improve treatment of runoff and reduce streambank erosion was to remove the embankment and restore 650 linear feet of the stream reach immediately below. The stream was restored using constructed stone riffles, rock steps, soil lifts, branch layering, and native shrub species. The stream banks and adjacent buffer areas were planted with native trees, shrubs, and grasses. 

This project – completed in 2019 – was conducted in partnership with the City of Charlottesville, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, and the RiverRun Homeowners Association.  

Before & After images

Completed in 2012, the Crozet Stormwater Wetlands site serves as a regional stormwater management facility for 50 acres of downtown Crozet. It comprises of a small, restored stream, a forebay pond where sediment settles out, and a series of five wetland cells. Plants in the wetlands process nutrients and other pollutants before the water spills into Powell’s Creek. In addition to water quality treatment, this feature is a source of food and habitat for a variety of wildlife. 

This project was made possible by funding and support from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Rivanna River Basin Commission, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 

This project consisted of utilizing a former wastewater settling lagoon to provide stormwater management for a highly urbanized area. Two urban streams converge on the property – but bypass the lagoon area during normal flow – as they flow towards the Rivanna River. This project, completed in 2012, involved the restoration of stream channels, wetland enhancements, and the installation of a 500-foot long sand berm filter, hundreds of native trees and shrubs, and rock weirs to direct and control flows.  

This location serves a large, highly impervious watershed (225 acres, 75% impervious). During rainfall events, stormwater now more easily floods the land adjacent to the stream – thus improving water quality and reducing downstream peak flows. The wetlands created by this project provide sanctuary to ducks, hawks, songbirds, amphibians, insects, and other wildlife within an otherwise very developed area. 

The Woodbrook Lagoon project was funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the County’s General Fund.