ACP announces timeline for removal of Rapidan dam

Proposed demolition could begin as soon as summer/fall 2026

Nov 30, 2024

During a community meeting in Orange, American Climate Partners (ACP) announced that the historic dam on the Rapidan River in Rapidan may itself be history by late 2026 or early 2027. Project leaders shared the timeline for the huge undertaking, which is being funded by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The $7.9 million grant covers pre-demolition research and assessment as well as the dam removal.

Dr. Shawn Young, who has a Ph.D. in fisheries sciences from Clemson University, is project lead for ACP’s Rapidan Fish Passage Project. As host of the November 21 meeting at the Town of Orange Public Works Community Meeting Room, he explained how and why getting rid of the dam should help various kinds of fish (including river herring, American shad and American eel) travel upriver, complete their life cycle and increase their numbers, which have dropped precipitously in recent years.

Two other speakers also addressed the audience of about 40 people: Alan Weaver, fish passage coordinator for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and Jim Eisenhardt, general manager of Ecotone, a Maryland-based ecological restoration firm, who is in charge of engineering and surveying for the Rapidan dam removal.

The community meeting, the first in a series required by the grant funding, went on for more than two hours, with much of the session devoted to the speakers’ presentations. Young got interrupted a couple of times, to his irritation.

When it was finally time for Q&A, some people wanted to know if there might be simple, relatively inexpensive ways to help the migratory fish without tearing down the dam. Others wondered whether taking out the dam would, in fact, accomplish ACP’s stated goal of helping the fish, given that there might be other impediments in their watery way. Still others asked about the impact of an uninhibited river on the surrounding land.

Although their answers may not have fully satisfied everyone in the audience, Young and the other speakers made it clear they are dedicated to thorough research and structural assessment. Young stressed that the project has strong support, as evidenced by the NOAA grant, which was announced in May of this year.

Of note, the ACP dam removal page states that taking out the dam “will open 540–1,065 miles of upstream habitat to migratory species …. It is currently the fourth-highest priority dam overall in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and classified as a Tier 1 priority for Chesapeake Bay-wide anadromous species and a Tier 2 priority for resident species.” (Anadromous fish migrate from the sea to breed in freshwater.)

According to the project timeline (see image below), site assessment began September 1 and will continue through the end of this year. Data analysis is slated for January 2025, and further activities, bunched together as “Alternative Analysis/Concept/30% Design,” are set for January-February 2025. As for the demolition start date, the timeline leaves room for flexibility: “Currently Summer/Fall 2026 earliest—Summer 2027 latest.”

ACP’s executive director and cofounder, Michael C. Collins, attended the community meeting but did not take part in the formal presentation. He and his staff work out of a rented office adjacent to the old mill on the Orange County side of the river. ACP Realty Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of ACP, owns the dam along with some land on the dam’s Culpeper side. The mill buildings at the juncture of Rapidan Road (Rt. 615) and Old Rapidan Road are owned by a separate business, Rapidan Mill Holdings LLC.

Together, the Rapidan dam and mill go back a long way

The first Rapidan mill and the first dam by its side were constructed in the latter part of the 1700s. After Union troops burned the old flour mill to the ground in 1864, it was rebuilt, only to burn down again nearly a century later in 1950. Much more recently, investors upgraded the mill’s hydroelectric equipment and sold electricity to Dominion Energy for a decade ending in 2019.

In 2022, ACP bought the dam, which also has been rebuilt over the years. It has held steady through many punishing floods, though one wonders whether a monster storm (perhaps brought on by climate change) could wreck it. That’s what happened back in the summer to a Minnesota dam that in a weird coincidence is called the Rapidan Dam.

For previous coverage of this project, see Dam right … or wrong? Fishy plans in Rapidan (June 9).

(1) ACP schedule for dam removal. (2) Dr. Shawn Young addresses the audience. (3) About 40 people attended the community meeting on Nov. 21. (4) The dam across the Rapidan River (July 25, 2024), as seen from the bridge on Rapidan Road. Note fish ladder at left, next to the old mill. Photos by Hilary Holladay.

Orange County Children’s Toy Box requests donations

The Orange County Children’s Toy Box is once again accepting new, unwrapped toys and gifts, and monetary donations, so local children in need can have a merry Christmas.

In an exchange of messages I had withToy Box founding director Donna Waugh-Robinson, she wrote, “Social Services has already told me to expect higher than normal numbers. We anticipate 750-900 children by the time we deliver on December 21. Donations are slowly coming in.”

Waugh-Robinson’s recent letter to the community requesting support states, “Our mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that no child in Orange County is left forgotten during the holiday season, allowing every youngster to wake up to the sheer happiness of Christmas morning. [The Toy Box] embodies the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors in times of need, fostering a sense of community, and spreading the contagious cheer of Christmas to all those around us.”

Her request continues, “Our grassroots community program relies on your generosity. We are currently in need of monetary donations, volunteers, and new, unwrapped toys and gifts. Donations can be dropped off at Gibson Rental or Jack Samuels Realty, or mailed as a check payable to Orange County Children's Toy Box at P.O. Box 1117, Orange, VA 22960. For those who prefer electronic donations, our website, www.occtoybox.org, offers a secure PayPal option.”

When I asked Waugh-Robinson why the Toy Box is important to Orange County, she replied, “Every child deserves to have a nice Christmas/holiday. It’s important to know your community cares about you. Children, especially little kids, can’t change their circumstances, and that letter to Santa doesn’t need to go unanswered.”

For Donna Waugh-Robinson's longtime service to the community, the Culpeper-based nonprofit Aging Together named her one of the region's "5 Over 50" honorees in May. Here, she poses with some of the gifts that Toy Box volunteers will distribute to local families in need on December 21. Donated photo.

Letter to the Editor

“Forever chemicals” pose danger to people and animals

I am a county resident, but our water comes from the [Town of Orange] water supply. Many town residents may not be aware of the noxious smells after biosolids are applied to croplands near the town’s water supply intake on the Rapidan River, but we are.
Biosolids are the solid residue (sludge) from municipal wastewater treatment plants and have been found to contain high levels of “forever chemicals” also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals). PFAS do not break down in the environment. They also bioaccumulate, meaning they build up in blood and organs and are a health risk to humans and animals.
In April 2024, the EPA established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) at four ppt (parts per trillion) as the new safety standard. Four ppt is equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Essentially, there is no safe level of PFAS in our bodies.
Biosolids are being applied in neighboring counties, along tributaries and adjacent to the main stem of the Rapidan River. I believe that we should discontinue the application of all biosolids until testing the water supply and the biosolids for PFAS are completed.
Jamie McConnell, Orange County

Shady Grove’s community/regional health fair draws 200 participants

The annual Community/Regional Health Fair is back! After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Shady Grove Baptist Church in Orange once again hosted the popular event offering free health assessments.

Cosponsored by Shady Grove and Orange Baptist Church, the 23rd edition on October 26 was a great success, according to Phyllis Highland, who founded the health fair and continues to run it: “With an attendance of 200 people, fantastic screenings and educational tables, delicious food and wonderful fellowship, folks were excited to see and visit with people that they hadn’t seen in years, especially since COVID-19 closed us down for four years.”

Free screenings were offered for Covid-19 antibodies, blood sugar level, cholesterol, blood pressure, body fat analysis and hearing. Flu shots were available to those with insurance coverage, as were other vaccinations for those with insurance who signed up in advance with Orange Pharmacy. The keynote speaker was Setour Dillard, RN, integrated care manager at Sentara Starr Hill Health Center in Charlottesville. Both Shady Grove Baptist Church and Orange Baptist Church provided music.

Health fair founder and organizer Phyllis Highland, center, with organizer Rosie Williams. The Rev. Joseph Moore of Shady Grove Baptist Church is at left. Photo donated by Dr. Dena Jennings.

OCHS junior Dillon Mills joins Byrd Street as high school sports and special events photographer

After a tremendous football season, Orange County High School’s Fighting Hornets have closed the books on fall competition. Now it’s time for basketball, among other winter sports, and I’m delighted to announce that OCHS junior Dillon Mills has joined the Byrd Street team as our high school sports and special events photographer. Originally from North Little Rock, Ark., Dillon lives in Locust Grove. Here are a couple of his photos from a recent girls’ basketball scrimmage on the OCHS home court against Riverbend High School. OCHS won 45-22.

(1) OCHS player Emma Mastin (at right) leaps for the ball. (2) OCHS player Laylianah McBrayer (with ball) takes charge. At left, Ellie Quattlebaum signals that she's open, while OCHS player Chloe Hebert (at right) runs behind McBrayer. Photos by Dillon Mills.

Coming up

Fifth Saturday Open Mic and Jam, Waddell Presbyterian Church, Rapidan, potluck supper, 6 p.m.; music (gospel, bluegrass, musician’s choice), 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30

Orange County personal property and second half of real estate taxes due, Thursday, Dec. 5

Upcoming Christmas/holiday events

Gordonsville Christmas Memorial Tree Lighting, Town Hall, 5:45 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1

Orange Rotary Christmas Parade and Memorial Tree, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7

Orange Community Chorus Christmas Concert, free admission, Orange Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13

Holiday Village with Santa, Train Station, 122 E. Main St., Orange, 12-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14

40th annual Singing Christmas Tree, Orange Baptist Church, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15

Orange Community Band Christmas Concert, free admission, Orange County High School, 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15

Winter Concert, Orange County High School Music Department (all are invited to donate non-perishable food items for Orange food pantry), 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17

“Messiah” Singalong (Part 1), St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Orange, conducted by the Rev. Alan Miller, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17

For inclusion in Byrd Street, send your event listings to hwholladay@gmail.com.