James River Association

Bacteria results are in for the James River Watch. We are having another great week on the James with 93% of the access locations having bacteria levels within the safety limit for swimming! View our notification email: https://lnkd.in/e5jTHbfc or visit www.JamesRiverWatch.org to check an access site near you!

The Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon Trips are back! The Atlantic sturgeon, a living fossil with a prehistoric appearance, can grow up to 14 feet, weigh 800 pounds, and live for 60 years. They inhabit the Atlantic Ocean but return biannually to their birth rivers for spawning. In the James River they can usually be spotted between July and October, with peak activity in mid-September. Join us on our sturgeon watching boat trips launching from Osborne Park and Boat Landing next month! The cost of the trip is $35 and participants must be at least 12 years old. We have a limited number of trips this year, so register early! https://lnkd.in/g3YTvDvC

Many thanks to the Richmond Times-Dispatch for sharing our article by James Riverkeeper, Tom Dunlap, 'Keeping the James River clean is a moral imperative'. "The James River is more than just a body of water; it is a living testament to our shared heritage, warts and all. From Kepone in the 1970s to our most recent sewage leak, we see that moments of crisis can become opportunities for growth and renewal." https://lnkd.in/gjSCM447

We're excited to share some positive news about the James River! Bacteria samples from across the watershed have been reviewed and uploaded to the James River Watch website. The whole watershed is looking great this week with a passing rate of over 90%! This is fantastic news after dealing with recent sewer leaks and heavy rain. We encourage you to get outside and enjoy the river this weekend! Before heading out, remember to check our website for the latest bacteria scores, river levels, and other important information. Let's make the most of this beautiful weather! Get the results at: https://lnkd.in/dWXmyXKG

Thank you to VPM for sharing an update about Richmond's Pipeline sewer pipe leak that was causing so many issues last month, and for featuring our James Riverkeeper Tom Dunlap. The leak has been contained, but it's a stark reminder of the importance of investing in our city's sewer system, and the need of a system that will push out information to the public about leaks in the future. The article ended with the prefect quote from river guide and filmmaker Justin Black, “The James River is so much more than a leaky pipe, it’s so much more than a rapid that one week out of the year was stinky,” he said. “It’s already improved so much, so I think we should keep working to make it the best river it can be.” https://lnkd.in/d2cWqM_S

"As you may have noticed on our River Watch website, there are no updated data available for our water quality monitoring sites this week. We made the decision to pause our routine water sampling due to nearly the entire watershed experiencing the effects of Hurricane Debby, including potentially hazardous conditions from flash flooding, high wind gusts, and heavy precipitation in isolated areas, amongst other risks presented from the storm. While the weather this weekend is looking quite pleasant and river-friendly, we urge everyone to be as safe and informed as possible before venturing out to the river for recreational activities. Across the watershed, rainfall can “flush” debris, bacteria, and other contaminants into rivers and streams, creating unsafe conditions. In the Lynchburg and Richmond areas, there have been multiple combined sewer overflow (CSO) events which will elevate bacteria levels in the river. Additionally, heavy rains will increase the height and flow of the water, causing the river to become more unpredictable and potentially leading to heavy debris being pushed downstream. Debris and logs caught by the storm can make even familiar sections of the river newly dangerous, and what's more these dangers may be hard to detect with high water levels. " View our full James River Watch Notification email > https://lnkd.in/eRhqUzKG

Environmentally-conscious property owners in the tidal James River watershed: if your shoreline is eroding or your current shoreline structure is failing, a living shoreline may be a good solution for you. The appropriate shoreline stabilization approach will depend on site conditions and vary in appearance and cost. If you're passionate about improving water quality and habitat in the James River watershed, our Living Shoreline Program may be perfect for you. Check out our cost share and let's together to create a thriving ecosystem right in your backyard. https://lnkd.in/g3bi_6j

Protect the Chesapeake's iconic Blue crab with our Living Shoreline Cost Share Program! The blue crab may be the most well known species of the Chesapeake Bay, and a translation of the scientific name helps to reveal why. Callinectes is Greek for beautiful swimmer, and sapidus translates to delicious or savory in Latin. These beloved crustaceans rely on healthy marshes and creeks as vital nurseries for their young. By restoring shorelines and improving water quality, we can safeguard their habitats from pollution and ensure a thriving future. Join us in preserving the legacy of the Chesapeake Bay's beautiful, tasty swimmers. Learn more about our program at JamesRiverShorelines.org. https://lnkd.in/dtsrenBs

The James River Stewardship Program (JRSP) is expanding its team with four new Seasonal Stewardship Assistants, marking the third year of its operation. Established by the James River Association and the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium in 2022, the JRSP aims to enhance the maintenance of riparian forest buffers, a task often overlooked due to lack of support. JRA, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), along with input from over a dozen partners of the Consortium Implementation Team, developed the JRSP to protect the investment in riparian forest buffers, ensure positive examples of the practice through stewardship to increase adoption, and provide technical assistance through summer internships. Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/eXwxZ7Ci

Join our team to protect Virginia’s vital resource, the James River! We're dedicated to nurturing, enjoying, and restoring the river we love. Currently hiring for roles including Grants Coordinator, Upper James Environmental Educator, and Richmond Seasonal Environmental Educator. Visit our website for more details and how to apply. https://lnkd.in/eDxtgNC