Hauling 11,000 CY of Sediment – The Dredging of Lake Ashburn
There are numerous lakes and ponds located throughout Virginia which pre-date present day stormwater design standards. In some cases, these facilities offer opportunities to assist municipalities in meeting Chesapeake Bay and Local TMDL requirements and improving water quality throughout the State. Loudoun County has identified many retrofit opportunities on publicly-owned land, but the number of them which offer cost competitive pollutant of concern (POC) reductions is dwindling. Alternatively, project opportunities that provide the County with cost effective POC reductions have been identified at a variety of Home Owner’s Associations (HOA) throughout the County where the identified projects also provide several community co-benefits; these projects offer a unique opportunity to create a win – win situation for both the County and the HOAs.
One of these opportunities in Loudoun County is Lake Ashburn, a 26-Acre lake in-line with Beaverdam Run stream located in the Ashburn Village HOA. This lake has been providing flood control for the Ashburn Village Community since it was constructed in the early 1990’s. The Lake has not been dredged in that time and has gradually been accumulating sediment from the several stream channels that flow into the upper portion of the lake. The drainage area to the facility is roughly 8 square miles and since the early 1990’s, extensive development has occurred in its contributing watershed.
The County has entered into a partnership with the Ashburn Village HOA to dredge roughly 8 acres of this Lake and incorporate enhancement features to provide POC credit towards the County’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL, as well as improve the overall aesthetic of the Lake. This effort will refresh the lifespan of this facility, provide substantial credit for Loudoun County’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL and result in improved habitat for existing aquatic life in the system.
This presentation will discuss the current status of the design of this project and include challenges and public outreach performed throughout the project to ensure stakeholder satisfaction.
Specific topics will consist of:
- Environmental Permitting
- Erosion and Sediment Control during Dredging
- Construction Site Circulation
- Long-term Maintenance Access
- Crediting Opportunities and SLAF Funding
- Public Outreach