PROJECT STORY
The challenge
Amid population growth and the impacts of a severe drought, communities in the Richmond, VA region faced the possibility of a critical water supply shortage.
Henrico County, Virginia
Creating a blueprint for regional water security
The solution
Arcadis and Henrico County partnered to create the Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek, designed to bolster water resilience and meet the region’s long-term water supply needs.
The impact
The Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek ensures long-term, sustainable water supply for residents while preserving aquatic habitats and ecological balance.
400,000 residents
provided with access to clean drinking water
50%
increase to Henrico County’s water supply
50+ years
of reliable water supply for the Richmond area
The challenge
With a thriving business climate and affordable cost of living, as well as outdoor recreation and a vibrant dining and art scene, the Richmond, Virginia region is a popular and dynamic community, home to more than 1.1 million residents. The area is also home to the scenic James River, which supports a robust wildlife habitat.
Rapid population growth, however, combined with a severe drought and increased water demand across multiple counties, meant the region faced a looming water supply shortage that threatened community health, economic stability and local wildlife. The region required a sustainable solution that would ensure a reliable water supply for the future while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns and fostering regional cooperation.
The solution
To address the region’s water supply and environmental concerns, Arcadis partnered with Henrico County to plan, design and oversee construction of the Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek. Following an extensive planning and permitting phase, a 1,500-acre site, which offered the optimal balance of water supply benefits while minimizing environmental and socio-economic impacts, was selected and secured for the reservoir.
Creating infrastructure that balances efficiency with sustainability, the Cobbs Creek Reservoir includes two 75-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) sluicing channel intake structures, a 150-MGD vertical turbine pumping station and a 72-inch-diameter, 3,500-foot-long transfer pipeline, all of which were designed to ensure the reservoir’s functionality and efficiency. The reservoir’s design also included extensive mitigation measures, including the restoration and preservation of streams and wetlands as well as the strategic relocation of utility corridors.
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The Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek adopts an adaptive approach to water management. Rather than merely storing water, it functions as a river flow augmentation system. During high-flow periods, water is drawn from the James River and stored in the reservoir, while in low-flow or drought conditions, water is released back into the river to sustain aquatic habitats and biodiversity.
This dual-purpose system supports the James River’s ecosystem while enabling increased water withdrawal downstream for treatment and distribution. To manage the remote facility effectively, Arcadis designed a fully remote monitoring and operations control system managed from the County’s headquarters 45 miles away.
The impact
The Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek project tackles critical water challenges while enhancing environmental sustainability and regional resilience. Nearly 400,000 residents of Henrico County and neighboring communities now have reliable, long-term access to additional clean water, even during droughts. With a capacity of 14.8 billion gallons and a safe yield of 47 MGD, the reservoir boosts Henrico County’s water supply capacity by nearly 50% and is set to address the region’s water needs for the next 50 years and beyond.
Beyond its role as a water supply solution, the reservoir also enhances the James River’s health by augmenting low streamflows, preserving aquatic habitats and maintaining ecological balance. The Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek stands as a model of how infrastructure can address human needs while safeguarding the environment.
Used capabilities
Program Management
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