Work will begin next week on improvements to the dam and reservoir at Ragged Mountain that will lead to some road and trail closures during construction. The project will be ongoing, with an expected completion by Dec. 31, 2026.
The closures are designed to keep individuals safe from potential construction hazards, according to the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority.
There will be signage on trails related to any closures this year or next.
The project will be coordinated with the Charlottesville Department of Parks and Recreation to complete the work and restore public access to the area quickly as possible.
The current Ragged Mountain Reservoir earthen dam was constructed to support a pool elevation of 683 feet.
In 2023, Charlottesville City Council, Albemarle County Service Authority Board and the RWSA approved an amendment that allows RWSA to fully utilize the reservoir’s storage capacity. The pool level will rise 12 feet and add 700 million gallons of water.
Modifications are also planned to the intake tower and to drainage of the dam.
Impacts of construction
- Roads: Beginning Oct. 6, Reservoir Road will be closed to the public from Holiday Trails Lane to the upper parking lot.
- Trails: Trails located on the eastern side of the reservoir will remain open during this period. Recreational users will have access to the trails via the lower parking lot on Reservoir Road. As construction progresses, further intermittent trail closures are anticipated.
- Fishing: Recreational fishing will be permitted on designated shorelines during this period.
- Watercraft: Watercraft, including but not limited to kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, will be prohibited.
Construction timeline
- Oct. 6, 2025: Contractor will begin to mobilize equipment to the upper parking lot at the end of Reservoir Road; Reservoir Road north of Holiday Trails Lane will be closed to public access. Restrictions on western trails and water access go into effect.
- Nov. 15, 2025: Tree-felling efforts begin. Tree-felling efforts are permitted from Nov. 15 to March 31 to coincide with the northern long-eared Bat inactive season. Trees and vegetation unsuitable for harvesting will be burned on-site in burn boxes.
- Feb. 14, 2026: Burning operations will stop to coincide with Albemarle County’s open burn ordinances.
- March 31, 2026: Tree-felling efforts will cease. The contractor will continue to remove fallen trees.
- May 1, 2026: Burning operations will resume.
- Dec. 31, 2026: Tentative scheduled completion of construction activities. All trails to fully reopen.
- Jan. 1, 2027: RWSA begins filling the reservoir to its new elevation height if there is 30 million gallons per day spilling from the Sugar Hollow Reservoir.
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Crystal Graham
