Streambank Stabilization Journey

 

Step-by-step Project 

streamside imageFollow along as we choose a site for a streambank stabilization project, learn about design and permitting, and observe installation. JRA will contribute $30,000 to the selected project, and Louise Finger with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has offered her expertise through this process.

Project Phases

Phase 1: Stream Basics and Identifying Potential Sites (April-June 2023)
  • April – Request for Projects Released 

  • May 16 Stream Walk with Kip Mumaw of Ecosystem Services at the Consortium Meeting in Lynchburg

  • June 27 – Building Capacity for Stream Stabilization Roundtable hosted by Center for Watershed Protection and the Consortium Knowledge Network Team with expert guests and discussion.

  • July 31 – Potential Site Visits due via this Submission Form

Phase 2: Site Visits and Project Selection(s) (July-September 2023)
  • Mid-August – Site visits with Louise Finger, Stream Biologist with DWR. These will be open to those interested in joining. Site visit dates include August 28 at State Farm DOC property in Powhatan, August 29 at a private property in Lexington in the morning and at Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Afton in the afternoon (see summary of visits below)
  • September – Virtual Meeting hosted by the Consortium Implementation Team to select project to move forward and learn about the decision-making process and aligning funding that are available.
  • October –  site selected, a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed in Lexington VA. Design has started.
Phase 3: Design and Permitting (September 2023-May 2024)
  • September/October – Agreements with partners whose project(s) are selected will be developed 

  • November – Virtual Meeting hosted by the Consortium Implementation Team to get update from partners who are working on the selected project and which design interventions are being considered

  • January 25 – Virtual Meeting ‘Stream Work Permitting with Louise Finger’
  • February – Virtual Meeting hosted by the Consortium Implementation Team to get update from partners who are working on the selected project and share final design and permitting process
    Feb. 25 (RSVP due by Feb. 19) – Urban Buffer Design Workshop at Lexington site – Read more here and RSVP here

  • June 7 – Building Capacity for Streambank Stabilization: Design and Permitting Roundtable hosted by Center Watershed Protection and the Consortium Knowledge Network Team with expert guests and discussion. Check out the full agenda here and RSVP here.

  • TBA – Buffer planting day at selected site
Phase 4: Installation (June-December 2024)
  • May-November: Installation with optional visits from partners to visit site under construction
  • June 18 – Streambank Stabilization Project Field Visits. Join partners of the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium to visit 2 completed Streambank Stabilization project sites in Albemarle County, June 18 (rain date July 16). Exact locations will be shared with those who RSVP. Please note on the form whether you will be joining one or both site visits. RSVP to save your spot!
  • December 2024: Project complete (possible extension through June 2025)

Meetings and Resources

Project Status


Phase 3: Site design and permitting are underway.

RSVP for the Feb. 22 Backyard Buffer Design Workshop

Join us!


Have you ever been faced with an eroding streambank on a site visit and wondered what the next steps should be? Join Consortium partners on a streambank stabilization journey, where we will go through the process together.

Meetings

Stream Work Permitting with Louise Finger Virtual Meeting

January 25, 2024 – Stream Work Permitting with Louise Finger
This virtual meeting featured Louise Finger, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, covering the permit application process for the Sarah’s Run Bank Stabilization Project in Lexington VA.

Building Capacity for Stream Stabilization Roundtable: Site Selection Learning Journey

June 27, 2023 Building Capacity for Stream Stabilization Roundtable: Site Selection Learning Journey
The Roundtable included presentations from local researchers and practitioners, including an introduction to stream dynamics, history of land management and sediment loading in the Upper & Middle James, site selection considerations for stream stabilization projects, and more. There was also a Panel Discussion with all presenters to answer questions, engage with requested discussion topics, and share/discuss pre-submitted questions about specific sites in the Upper Middle James River watersheds.

Photos

October 2023: The streambank group meets at on site, a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed in Lexington VA, to begin discussing design work.