The Fall 2008 issue of Green Business Quarterly,  a national publication from Chicago, featured Roger and his efforts as a member of the US Green  Building Council to reduce the carbon footprints of his clients as far back as 1970’s. Reprints of the article will be available. Tthis very high-quality publication can be previewed at its web site. 

The article begins on page 73

It was about mid July 2007 when the Rivanna Conservation Sociey (RCS) destroyed the Woolen Mills Dam, so it seems an appropriate time to look back and see what has resulted from their deed.

Dam Removal-

For some inexplicable reason, when the Dam was removed (apparently  without a permit), they left a chunk of it. This collection of rock is now large enough to snag large trees brought downstream during heavy rains (see arrow in photo above). With each tree limb hung upon the Dam remains, the likelihood of future debris being caught increases.

Boaters-
Last July, like this July, the water level was very low. When the Dam was torn down the water level in the Rivanna at the end of East Market street was lower than other areas of the river due in part to its width at this point. After the initial period of curious visitors, the majority of river users were dog owners taking their canines for an extended walk in the park via the now stream-like Rivanna. Many a happy dog was found romping in the foot deep water with one or two explorers hopping or walking along.

I saw one canoeist attempt to navigate the now extremely rocky river but he was mostly walking his canoe. Since the water is slightly deeper after the former dam site as the river narrows, a kayaker or two was seen putting in the river at the end of East Market Street.

It was claimed by RCS that canoeists and kayakers would now put into the river at the Woolen Mills park rather than at the end of East Market and thus our traffic problems would be alleviated. This is not at all what has happened. No one puts in at the park as it is too steep and rocky and they still attempt to put in at the cul-de-sac and park at the end of E. Market.

Fish-
Since the water is so shallow for the majority of the year, save spring, it is easy to see aquatic life. I have diligently looked for fish for the last 12 months. There are few, if any, fish, in the river at least at the location above where the Dam once was. I have seen a small fish or two below the Dam where the river is a bit deeper but still walkable. Tony Woodson a native arborist and naturalist from Crozet, said he thought he saw some fish from the river bank. However, Tony has only one eye. Last week, I saw a school of 6 small fish by the southern shore at the end of E. Market. But the last 3 visits I saw no fish. In the past, one could see fish jumping and feeding at any moment.

Jim Brewer reported their were shad in April/May upstream at the base of the Rivanna Reservoir dam. One would think that a passage of that many shad would be noticeable and elicit some excitement coming and going but I did not see any nor did I hear reports of others spotting shad coming up the river through the former Dam site. Perhaps they all came during a very short period of time and at night.  Jim said they like to travel during higher water periods so perhaps the migration was during a rainy period. He said most of the shad were Gizzard Shad which are bait fish but a smaller amount were the protected American Shad.

Fishing-
Fishing activity by the locals is about 5% what it was pre-Dam removal. Very few individuals now come fishing and those that do have little luck. They still try their skills at the Dam site where the river is a bit deeper and occasionally there are fishermen further upstream near the Pantops bend. Gone are the days when groups or whole families would come down and fish at the Dam and proudly return with huge stringers of fish. This group was granted no say in the Dam’s removal.

Wildlife-
Bird activity is about 20% of what it was in the immediate vicinity of the Dam and the first 200 yards above the Dam. I have seen no turtles, heron nor beavers. There had been two families of geese although starting mid-June they have not been seen. Deer, however, are now able to cross the river from Pantops and are now almost every evening in our backyards. This is the first time since 1982 that I have seen deer in the backyard.

River Debris-
RCS members collected pieces of metal pipe and the like from the River on two occasions: once last July of 2007 when they are dumped all this debris in one place in the River (where the Water Street Creek enters the Rivanna-at the boundary of 1907/1909 E. Market and the River) and once this June when they decided to move all this trash from the River onto my back yard instead of property disposing of it. (Photos).

Vandalism and Trespassers-
As predicted, privacy has been reduced. Jon Fink had four trespassers in his back yard the first seven days after the Dam removal last July. This summer his canoe has been stolen. Other trespassers took his rowing shell and dumped it in the River. At least that was retrievable. I keep less down by the River but last July my only chair was stolen. This is what we predicted, but were told by RCS that they would guarantee that measures would be taken to prevent such activitiies.

Bank side regeneration-
R. Savage sent me a letter stating that they were going to plant trees along the river bank (how far upstream I do not know) but they would not plant any along my property unless they heard from me that I wanted this. I did not contact them. They did it anyways. They planted twigs/sticks every 6.5 feet.  I did sow some native grass seeds along the bank which is now growing and protecting the bank. It was predicted by J. Halbert that within a year the entire river bank would be regenerated. (Photos).

Previous story, 2007,  found in archives of News Articles.

Metal trash dumped together in one place by RCS members,  july/august 2007

same trash moved/dumped on land at end of east market street by RCS members

june 2008. Dam was not totally removed and is now catching river debris.

Same-different angle. july 2008. Dam was not totally removed and is now catching river debris

northern bank May 2008

Jon Fink’s scull thrown into the river

and in the best location!….3 blocks from the Downtown Mall on a quiet 1/2 acre parcel.

for all  photos by master photographer, Mark Patterson,  visit http://www.bigtour.tv/bpt046/

Inquire about 3D model and floor plan. Google SketchUp file is dowloadable here. Google SketchUp viewer is free and can be downloaded here.

Features and specifications of 615  Kelly Avenue

* Over 4600 finished square feet; approx. 75,000 ft3 of living volume.
* 1/2 acre, flat lot with home set well back from Kelly
and Poplar.
* Great room is 24’ high at the mid-point of the ceiling.
* One level living: lovely master suite with adjacent office, kitchen, great room, breakfast nook, wet bar with copper counter, half bath, laundry, office or guest suite (with full bath and separate entrance) and patios all on the first level.
* Second level features a small guest room, a full bath, a loft and a huge studio with separate heating and cooling system.
*Gourmet kitchen with Viking refrigerator, Bosch
dishwasher, Dacor oven, Wolf range, custom, copper range hood, tile and butcher block countertops.
* Radiant floor heating via gas fired hot water boiler; central air conditioning.
* Gorgeous Travertine quarried stone floor in great room.
* Built-in entertainment center and art display.
* 70’ long Koi pond. Extensively landscaped; sprinkler system.
* Commercial quality, insulated doors and windows.
* Stucco Exterior
* Exterior Spa
mls#456193
Price: $995,000

Written by Joel Bittle, courtesy of GreenBuildingElements.com

Despite the narrowing gap in cost between green building and traditional “to-code” building, most builders and home buyers still perceive the green option to be significantly more expensive.  The reality is that due to increased builder education and an influx of affordable green building products, a building can be built green within the same budget as a non-green building.  According to Clark Wilson, CEO of Austin based Green Builders, Inc., “It’s our job as builders to find those green products that don’t drive up the price of the home.”  continued at….  Low Impact Living »  The Costs of Not Building Green

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