A transformative dam removal and ecological restoration project in Lynchburg, Virginia, designed to eliminate a high-hazard structure, restore aquatic ecosystems using natural channel design, and foster long-term community and environmental resilience.
The College Lake Dam in Lynchburg, Virginia, was classified as a high-hazard structure, posing significant risks to public safety, especially following a near-failure during a major storm in 2018. In partnership with the City of Lynchburg and the University of Lynchburg, the project aimed to remove the dam and restore Blackwater Creek and its surrounding ecosystem. While the initiative promised long-term environmental and safety benefits, it faced public resistance due to the draining of College Lake and removal of the dam, a cherished local landmark with deep recreational and emotional significance to the community.
Complex challenges
The project had to overcome a range of technical and social challenges:
- Environmental sensitivity: The transformation of the ecosystem from a lacustrine (lake-based) to a riverine (stream-based) system required careful planning to minimize disruption to sensitive habitats. Mitigation strategies included predator-refuge areas, alternate habitat zones, and compliance with stringent environmental regulations through extensive consultation and ecological assessments.
- Geotechnical Issues: The aging earthen embankment presented weak seams and potentially liquefiable materials. To ensure safe removal, the team implemented advanced engineering solutions such as a 60-hour straight dam breach excavation, dewatering stilling basins, and a staged siphon dewatering system to prevent rapid drawdown and embankment failure.
- Hydraulic complexity: The lake’s watershed spanned over 20 square miles, with more than 20 percent impervious surfaces contributing to high stormwater runoff. Inflows during construction risked refilling the lake and delaying progress. We enhanced the dewatering design with additional siphon pipes to bypass significant storm events, supported by adaptive sediment management and water quality monitoring. Construction scheduling was informed by historic rainfall data to avoid peak storm seasons, including hurricane season.
- Community engagement: The proximity of the University of Lynchburg and surrounding neighborhoods required transparent communication and inclusive planning. We facilitated public meetings and stakeholder discussions to address concerns, share project benefits, and incorporate feedback into the design.
- Regulatory compliance: The project required coordination with multiple regulatory bodies and detailed documentation, including aquatic resource mapping, sediment management plans, environmental functional assessments, and a natural channel design-based restoration strategy. Timely approvals were essential to maintaining the project schedule and ensuring legal and ecological compliance.
AECOM’s integrated solution
We provided comprehensive engineering and design services, including field data collection, hydrological and hydraulic modeling, and ecological restoration planning. The team developed a natural channel and wetland restoration strategy to replace the lake with a resilient, functional ecosystem that supports biodiversity, improves water quality, and reduces floodplain elevations — by over 20 feet in some downstream areas
Community engagement was a cornerstone of the project. We worked closely with the City of Lynchburg, the University of Lynchburg, and residents to build trust and ensure the design reflected community values. Recreational and educational features were integrated into the restoration plan, including bird-watching areas, boardwalks, trails, picnic spaces, nature centers, and outdoor classrooms.
Outcome and impact
The project successfully eliminated a major safety hazard while restoring ecological integrity to the area. Our innovative and collaborative approach ensured regulatory compliance, minimized environmental disruption, and built lasting community support. The restored site now serves as a model for sustainable dam removal and urban ecological renewal — balancing public safety, environmental stewardship, and community enrichment.