Rivanna River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rivanna River
Rivanna River
Physical characteristics
Length	42 miles (68 km)
Basin features
River system	James River

The Rivanna River is a 42.1-mile (about 68 km) long tributary (a smaller river that flows into a larger one) of the James River in central Virginia, United States. The Rivanna's waters start in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its water eventually joins the James River and flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

Long ago, the Rivanna River was also known as "Mountain Falls Creek" or "River Anna."

Where the Rivanna River Flows

The Rivanna River begins in Albemarle County, about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Charlottesville. It forms where two smaller rivers meet:

• The North Fork Rivanna River starts in Greene County. It forms when the Lynch River and the Roach River join together. This fork flows about 18 miles (29 km) south into Albemarle County.
• The South Fork Rivanna River starts in Albemarle County. It forms when the Moormans River and the Mechums River meet. This fork flows about 12.9 miles (20.8 km) east.

After these two forks join, the main Rivanna River flows southeast through Albemarle County. It goes past the eastern edge of Charlottesville and through the Southwest Mountains near Monticello. The Rivanna then continues southeast through Fluvanna County, passing places like Lake Monticello and Palmyra. Finally, it flows into the James River at the town of Columbia.

History of the Rivanna River

Long before Europeans arrived, the Monacan people lived in the Rivanna valley. We know where some of their ancient villages were, and archaeologists (people who study old cultures) have explored them.

One special place was a large mound near where the two forks of the river meet. The Monacan people likely used it for important ceremonies and burials. Thomas Jefferson wrote about this mound in his 1781 book, Notes on the State of Virginia. Important Monacan towns like Monasukapanough and Rassawek were also located along the Rivanna. Rassawek was their main town, found where the Rivanna meets the James River.

In the late 1700s, people worked to make the Rivanna River navigable (easy for boats to travel on). The Jefferson family, who owned land along the river, helped with this. Thomas Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, had even built a small mill on the river near Monticello.

Early improvements included cutting sluices (channels for water), building small dams, and creating batteaux locks. Locks are special sections that help boats move between different water levels. Later, around the mid-1800s, bigger improvements were made. Long canals (man-made waterways) with large locks were built. You can still see many of these old locks along the river today.

The state of Virginia wanted the river to be open for everyone to use. Even though Thomas Jefferson first said no, the state insisted. The Rivanna River then became a very important way to transport goods in central Virginia.

The river helped many farms and large plantations in Albemarle and Fluvanna counties. It also supported growing industries, like the Charlottesville Woolen Mills. These larger mills led to the "second generation" improvements to the river, managed by the Rivanna Navigation Company. For example, Union Mills had a 2.5-mile (4 km) long canal with a path for horses to pull boats, and two big locks right on the river.

Where the Rivanna River meets the James River at Columbia, a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) long canal called the Rivanna Connexion canal joined the James River and Kanawha Canal. This larger canal was a huge project meant to connect Richmond all the way to the Ohio River in the west. The locks that connected these two canals are mostly buried today.

In the early days, boats could only travel as far as Milton on the Rivanna. But by the mid-1800s, horse-drawn canal boats could go all the way upstream to Charlottesville. This made Charlottesville a major center for trade.

In more recent times, the Rivanna Trail was created. This is a greenbelt trail that goes around Charlottesville, covering over 20 miles (32 km). It passes through many parks and wooded areas, offering great places for hikers.

Caring for the Rivanna River

Many people and groups work hard to protect the Rivanna River. In the early 1990s, some citizens started the Rivanna Conservation Society (RCS). This group works to protect the river's natural beauty, history, and wildlife.

Later, in the late 1990s, a group called the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They studied the river and published a report in 1998 about what the river needed to stay healthy.

In 2001, The Nature Conservancy, a conservation group, said the Rivanna basin was "one of the finest" river systems in the Piedmont region. This is because it has many unique and rare animals and plants, including the endangered James River spinymussel.

In 2002, a local scientist named John Murphy started StreamWatch. This program helps collect data about the river's water quality. In 2016, the Rivanna Conservation Society and StreamWatch joined together to form the Rivanna Conservation Alliance (RCA).

In 2006, The Nature Conservancy helped create the Rivanna River Basin Commission. This group includes local leaders, conservation experts, and citizens. They work together to make decisions about the river.

In 2008, experts working with the Commission said that changes in water flow (due to paved areas and dams) and pollution from dirt (sediment) were the biggest threats to the river's health.

The Rivanna River is also a source of drinking water for Charlottesville and Lake Monticello. There have been some discussions about how to manage the water supply. For example, in 2006, a plan to move water from one reservoir to another was supported by many environmental groups. However, some people later questioned the cost of this plan.

Overall, many different groups work together to manage and protect the Rivanna River. This includes local governments, conservation groups like the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, and water management agencies. Their cooperation helps keep the Rivanna River healthy for everyone.

Images for kids

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  Swimmers enjoying the Rivanna River near Free Union.