Kayaking on the South Fork Rivanna River
What is a reservoir?
A reservoir is a man-made lake built by constructing a dam in order to supply potable water to people.
These lakes are so scenic and beautiful that we tend to forget their primary purpose. First and foremost, their purpose is to supply people’s essential need for clean, safe water for drinking, fire protection, manufacturing, agriculture, swimming pools, cups of coffee, and many other uses for our community.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t want people to enjoy the recreational aspects of the reservoirs. We work in close cooperation with various agencies including the City and County Parks and Recreation Departments whose primary role is recreational land use and management. We rely on the City and the County for their responsible stewardship policies and enforcement practices to protect our water supply.
Rivanna’s “Authority”
In general, the local government entities actually own the reservoir and the border around it. The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority owns the assets and lease the rights to the water so we can manage, monitor, treat the water in order to provide clean water to the public. We do not make recreational land use decisions.
Ownership
City Of Charlottesville
- South Fork
- Sugar Hollow
- Ragged Mountain (Ragged Mountain Natural Area is a City park)
Albemarle County
- Beaver Creek (County park)
- Totier Creek (County park)
Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority
Owns the water rights or legal right to manage, monitor, treat, and ultimately provide the water to the community that we impound at our reservoirs. We also own all the physical infrastructure that is necessary to do that (i.e. the pipes, treatment plants, intake towers, dams, gauges, etc.). We also own the North Rivanna River intake and Lickinghole Basin (a stormwater basin).
Reservoir information sheets: “Get to know your reservoir” or visit: https://www.rivanna.org/drinking-water-reservoirs/
Totier Park located near Scottsville in Albemarle County, Va. Photo/Andrew Shurtleff
Reservoir Recreations
It is important to remember that you are recreating in a water supply and to follow the rules written into the Albemarle County code and the Charlottesville City Code.
If you’d like to see these rules changed based on your recreational needs, contact your local Parks and Recreation department or your local officials who help create public policy:
County Parks and Recreation at 434-296-5844
City Parks and Recreation at 434-970-3260
Swimming
Swimming is NOT allowed in our water supply reservoirs; this includes pets.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed in all of our reservoirs. Our reservoirs are stocked with various fish by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Fishing licenses are issued by Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Hiking and Running
Hiking and running are allowed on the trails at Ragged Mountain Reservoir and Totier Creek Reservoir.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is allowed in and around our reservoirs.
Kayakers and Paddle Boarders at South Fork Rivanna Reservoir
Boating
GAS-POWERED boats are NOT allowed at any of our reservoirs.
Kayaking and canoeing are allowed at South Fork Rivanna, Ragged Mountain, Beaver Creek, and Totier Creek without a special permit. Boating, of any kind, is NOT allowed at Sugar Hollow due to safety concerns.
Paddle Boarding
Paddle-boarding is allowed at Beaver Creek, South Fork, Totier Creek, and Ragged Mountain.
Other activities
Hunting, trapping, littering, and dumping are prohibited.
Reporting Issues
If you see or believe there are issues in any of our reservoirs (pollution, trash, algae, dead fish, or safety concerns), please contact Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority at 434-977-2970 or email info@rivanna.org.
Beaver Creek Reservoir at Sunrise. Photo taken by Erik Hultgren.
Additional Resources
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Rivanna Stormwater Education Partnership
