News & Updates
Streambank Stabilization Journey
About the project: Have you ever been faced with an eroding streambank on a site visit, and been unsure of the next steps? Join Consortium partners on our yearlong streambank stabilization journey as we identify potential sites, select a project site, learn about design and permitting, and observe installation. JRA is contributing $30,000 to the selected project, and Louise Finger with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has offered her expertise through the process.
Project Location
Our site is a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed in Lexington, VA
Phase I: Stream Basics & Identifying Potential Sites
Phase 1 milestones (April-June 2023)
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April – Request for Projects Released
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May 16 – Stream Walk with Kip Mumaw of Ecosystem Services at the Consortium Meeting in Lynchburg
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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.
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July 31 – Potential Site Visits due for submission.
Documents & resources
Phase II: Site Visits and Project Selection(s)
Phase 2 milestones (July-September 2023)
- Mid-August – Site visits with Louise Finger, Stream Biologist with DWR. These were open to those interested in joining. Site visit dates included 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 III: Design and Permitting
Phase 3 milestones (September 2023-May 2024)
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September/October – Agreements with partners whose project(s) are selected will be developed
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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
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January 25 – Virtual Meeting ‘Stream Work Permitting with Louise Finger’
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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 Urban Buffer Design Workshop at Lexington site – Read more here -
May – Streambank Roundtable hosted by Center for Watershed Protection and the Consortium Knowledge Network Team with expert guests and discussion
- April – Buffer planting day at selected site
Documents & resources
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.
- Building Capacity for Streambank Stabilization Summary of Site Selection Roundtable Report (PDF)
- Zoom recording and presentation resource links (PDF)
Phase IV: Installation
Phase 4 milestones (June-December 2024)
- May-November: Installation with optional visits from partners to visit site under construction
- December 2024: Project complete (possible extension through June 2025)
Photo Gallery
October 2023
The streambank group meets on site, at a private residential property in the Wood’s Creek Watershed in Lexington VA, to begin discussing design work.
November 2023
Partners visited three potential sites: the Virginia Department of Corrections’ State Farm property in Powhatan; Hope’s Legacy in Afton; and Woods Creek Watershed Residence, Lexington
Virginia Department of Corrections’ State Farm property, Powhatan
Hope’s Legacy, Afton
Woods Creek Watershed Residence, Lexington
June 2024
Streambank Stabilization Project field visits with partners of the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium, led by Kip Mumaw of Ecosystem Services, to Woodbrook Lagoon and Chapel Hill.
Stay in touch!
Have you ever been faced with an eroding streambank on a site visit and wondered what the next steps should be? Sign up for the Consortium’s newsletter to stay updated about more resources and events!
If you have questions about an eroding streambank in the Upper & Middle James, please contact Amber Ellis at aellis@thejamesriver.org.
Acknowledgements
The Consortium would like to express their appreciation for all individuals and organizations who contributed to the Streambank Stabilization Learning Journey!
This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Assistance Agreement No. CB96358201) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based efforts to develop conservation strategies to protect and restore the diverse natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.