Lynchburg goes to the "extreme" to protect local waterway

by Bill Street

     Each year, the James River Association takes on a major restoration project focused on one of the James River's more distressed tributaries. While often overlooked, the small creeks and streams that feed into the James are integral to the overall health of the 340-mile river, perhaps Virginia's greatest natural resource. Unless we address the pollution and runoff that is being funneled into the James by way of these smaller waterways, "America's Founding River" will never truly be healthy.

     This year's Extreme Stream Makeover - the name for JRA's annual, week-long restoration initiative - centered on Blackwater Creek in Lynchburg. Blackwater Creek has been the focus of much work by Lynchburg College and others, and with the Blackwater Creek trail network, the banks of the creek are now a popular venue for biking, jogging and other recreation. However, the stream itself has become severely degraded over the years. The intensive development within its drainage basin has altered the natural flow of water funelling pollution into the creek and causing streambank erosion downstream. As a result Blackwater Creek is in severe need of some TLC.

     Thanks to a colossal community effort - an extraordinary partnership between the City of Lynchburg and Campbell and Bedford Counties as well as support from local businesses, schools and scores of local volunteers (including Gov. Kaine and members of his cabinet) - portions of Blackwater Creek have undergone metamorphosis, at least the start of one. Last week's Extreme Stream Makeover succeeded in completing a series of projects to begin turning this damaged stream into a more vibrant waterway - cleaner, more beautiful and, most importantly, better prepared to gird itself against the potential ravages of pollutants.

     The many volunteers from throughout the region got their hands dirty and feet wet in order to make a difference. They made and installed rain barrels and landscaped rain gardens, two important tools for diverting and capturing the rainwater that would otherwise flow directly into the creek. And along the same lines, they planted hundreds of plants along the banks of the stream, which serve as are natural pollution filters. In all, about $280,000 in materials and services were provided, most of which was through in-kind donations showing the tremendous support from the Lynchburg community.

     The Greater Lynchburg region put forth a truly impressive commitment toward improving the health of Blackwater Creek, and by extension, the James River. We look forward to continuing to work with local communities to safeguard the James and all of its local tributaries.

Bill Street is the executive director of the James River Association.