Ragged Mountain Natural Area Public Planning Meeting #1 February 29 th, 2016
Planning During dam construction P&R approached by various groups asking if the rules would be changed once the dam was complete Public meeting held Nov 2014 had consensus for shared use if done appropriately City Council discussion 2015 with shared use approved in concept but desire to get more public input and ecological study Staff instructed to undertake planning process and return to council
Land Area 980 acres total ~680 acres north of I-64 ~300 acres south of I-64 Lake is 170 acres (at capacity)
History (non land use) Subsistence farming scattered along mountains south of Charlottesville (~to Plank Road) Edgar Allen Poe wild and dreary A Tale of the Ragged Mountains mid 1820 s 1912 Investigation into the conditions in the Ragged Mountains UVA Civic club Study on the persons living in the broader Ragged Mountain area (not specifically the reservoir)
Ragged Mountain Reservoir S Upper dam built in 1887 S Lower dam built in 1920s S Expanded Ragged Mountain Reservoir completed in 2014
Ragged Mountain Reservoir S $26.9 million construction budget S 670,000 cubic yards of dirt placed S 4,400 tons of gravel used S 129 feet tall
Ragged Mountain Reservoir S 1.54 billion gallons S 170 acres S 1.8 square mile watershed
Not to scale
RWSA Urban Area Water Sources Three Reservoirs Ragged Mountain -1.5 BG South Rivanna -800 MG Sugar Hollow 324 MG One River Intake North Rivanna
Old reservoir (O-hill) 1850 s Fed a water tank in the Rotunda Water used for everything except drinking
1885 Reservoir at Ragged
Sugar Hollow Pipeline Connects SH to RM 13.5 mile pipeline 18 inch cast iron pipe Tunnel Pump box canal to upper lake
1908 construction concrete dam All photos from Holsinger collection online at UVA library
Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority Formed as a regional entity in 1973 Four-party agreement City, County, RWSA, ACSA Took over management of water supply, but not land around reservoir Defines use rules for lake based on water supply needs and state/federal laws
Public Access Pre 1990 s mostly for fishing only 1990 s Ivy Creek Foundation created trails for hiking Original lower parking lot includes trail easement from Hedgrwow (Heyward) to access lake New parking lot is on city property All public access is from reservoir road Ednam entry is private for Ednam residents only
Fishing and boating Boats are allowed but no gasoline engines Canoe, kayak, etc. Fishing allowed with state license DGIF patrols and monitors this activity Ramp is not currently public, part of this planning discussion will be to identify how to create better boat access
Animal control Dogs are not allowed at Ragged Mountain Sign stating no pets allowed is on site and on the City website Animal control was shown the property in December 2015 and will go to the site at least every two weeks or more often as available.
Forestry Selective cut Between 1954 and 1958, 2½ million board feet of lumber were removed, with sale proceeds going to the City. No commercial timber harvesting has taken place since then. Trees along the lake shore were removed up to the interim lake level in 2012-2013 to allow for reservoir expansion.
Recent reservoir expansion Part of approved water supply plan Lake area increased from 74 acres to 170 Deepest part is 100 feet Lake has rock habitat for fish Lake level was lowered during construction and nearly all material for new dam is from on-site RWSA purchased trail toolshed and floating bridge to support trails at the site
Reservoir Expansion 2011-2014 Before, During, and After 2002 2015 2013
Reservoir pre and post expansion
Changes during construction Caretaker house removed had not been occupied since 2007 Upper gravel parking lot created during construction left in place for public use Boat ramp is the haul road leftover from dam construction
Small Bridge Picnic tables Port-o-potty Kiosk and signs Chainsaw art Other amenities
Land replacement Albemarle County paid $750,000 for land lost to higher lake elevation (~100 acres) City Parks has acquired three undeveloped properties along Moore s Creek with this $$ Hartman Mill -20 acres - behind Edgecomb Quarry Park - 12 acres Moores creek near Rt. 20 Fornes - 30 acres- across O.L.R. from Azalea Park
Land expansion efforts Working with adjacent property owners Acquire adjacent undeveloped parcels if possible Establish legal access to portions of upper road Establish legal access to trails on CHT property Working to determine if tunnel under I-64 on adjacent private properties could possibly be used to access land on south side of interstate.
UVa & Foundation properties Boar s head Inn, Foxhaven Farm and Birdwood Golf course properties have trails
Trail construction Ivy Creek Foundation built initial trails in 1990s Portion of trails lost due to higher lake elevation Parks & Rec took lead to restore lost trails by connecting existing trails with new trail links where inundated. Mostly volunteer work led by city staff Same trail style and construction as Ivy Creek Natural surface, 1-2 foot wide, along contours RTF/Appalachian Trail experience
Trail Restoration Plan (2014) Restore lost portions of trail and connect to original trails to complete loop around lake Provide access to location for floating bridge Did not include full lakeshore perimeter trail, some areas left for nature only Staff has ceased trail construction until planning process and environmental studies are complete
Trail construction Trails follow contour of land and do not run up and down hills to reduce potential for erosion. Trails go around large trees and avoid sensitive environmental areas such as wetlands to reduce impact to ecology and resources.
Upper maintenance road Original road bed to the south Used by RWSA to access old upper dam Still in place and used by Parks for vehicle access for maintenance and bio-blitz Working to obtain legal public access due to wandering fence/property lines
Floating Bridge Bridge will be installed by RWSA later this year to complete the trail loop
City Park Classification Natural Resource Management Areas: Purpose: Natural Resource Management Areas are primarily designated for natural resource protection and stewardship. These areas may include forested areas, stream valleys, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Primary intention is for protection of natural resources with a secondary use for passive recreation, interpretation, and education. Location and Access: These areas can be located anywhere throughout the City, and may include water reservoir properties. Size can range from 1-1,000 acres or more depending on setting and location. Access is generally available from local connector trails or small parking lot trailhead areas. Access into the park itself is primarily on foot. Character and Extend of Development: Natural Resource Management Areas provide opportunity to enjoy natural resources in and around the urban area. These areas typically do not include spaces for active recreation such as athletic fields, playgrounds, etc. Buildings, other than small restrooms or picnic shelters, are generally not included in these areas. Lighting is not generally included in these areas but may be included at parking and trailhead areas. These lands may be placed into conservation or open space easements to preserve natural features, but easements are not required. Fishing is allowed but not hunting or trapping. Forest management is intended to preserve native plants and control invasive plant species. Natural Resource Management Areas in and around the City include Ragged Mountain, Ivy Creek Natural Area, Sugar Hollow Reservoir, and the Meadow Creek Stream Valley. Additional properties may be added to this classification as acquired.
Ivy Creek Foundation establishment of RMNA 1997-98
Ivy Creek Foundation discussion on transfer of management to City Parks City now has staff and resources not available in 1990s to manage the site ICF has much work to do at Ivy Creek, and can potentially use the same effort at Arrowhead and other new County properties to open trails sooner than the County might be able to Board voted in Sept. 2014 to release itself from management obligation at Ragged, but retains right to run environmental programs and help with trail construction and maintenance
1998 Study of Ragged Mountain Performed by Ivy Creek Foundation Dan Bieker and others Includes brief biological inventory of area s plant and wildlife resources Survey route followed proposed trail locations No threatened or endangered species were encountered
VA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation Division of Natural Heritage Ragged Mountain is listed as: Managed meaning it is public Cultural chimney foundations Ecological Core is General Forest Economy is Very High (harvest value) Watershed integrity Moderate to High Vulnerabiltiy highest based on generic development pressure
Bio Blitz Began in 2014 at request of Parks Staff Performed by volunteers Multiple visits to site over past year Identifying and mapping plants and animals that may warrant further study Some points may be negative such as invasives This effort is now complete Visit inaturalist website to see more information http://www.inaturalist.org/projects /ragged-mountains-bioblitz
Ecosystem Survey and Assessment City is providing a stipend to Center for Urban Habitats to learn about what types of ecosystems are there and where they are. Different ecosystems support different plants and animals, and some warrant different treatment from the vantage point of interpretation, education and protection. The first step is to classify all ecosystems. Ecosystems have names, and some are more biologically at-risk than others. If we know what is on the land and where, and the many different types of biota (plants and animals) that live in each, we can make wise decisions about where to put trails (or where not to), how to use trails, and what education focal points there are. The results of the survey will provide lists of birds, trees and shrubs, flowering plants, ferns, and even butterflies, dragonflies and other animals.
DRAFT Ecosystem map Landscape is dominated by Piedmont Basic Oak-Hickory Forest with occasional Acidic Oak-Hickory on ridge tops, Oak and Pine Heath on northwest slopes and a mix of degraded landscapes and exceptionally rich habitat types scattered throughout. More unique areas are in hollows and near lake shore Heavily disturbed areas have been replanted and will be monitored over time. These areas can be follow-up planted as needed to ensure establishment of proper land cover and trees.
Future meetings and process March 22, 6pm public input (open mic night) April 6 6pm discussion of allowable uses and trail layout A draft plan will be created and aligned with the ecological study results
Plan Approval process Final draft plan developed in public meetings will be reviewed in public hearing with 30 day comment period by the P&R Advisory Board Planning Commission will be asked to review and comment on the plan City Council has final vote on plan (summer)
Questions? This presentation and other information will be available on the website starting tomorrow at www.charlottesville.org/raggedmountain Comments can be sent at any time to: raggedmountain@charlottesville.org Leave a message on the park planning hotline 970-3710 Mail to Parks and Rec c/o Ragged Mountain 501 East Main Street Charlottesville, VA 22902