Get Involved
Internship opportunities available for a rising junior or senior with experience with basic water quality research and lab equipment, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work independently. We would love to talk with you!
Stream Ecology and Management
Stream Ecology is the study of the function and health of stream ecosystems. Management involves the restoration, improvement, monitoring and maintenance of these systems. All stream systems flow through the landscape within a watershed providing water flow either through groundwater or over land as surface water. The amount and quality of water, habitat in the stream including stream bed substrate, woody debris and stream bank condition all relate to the health of the stream and are in equilibrium with the surroundings to create health streams for drinking water supply and recreation.
Management of these resources first involves quantification of overall water flow and quality. This analysis also includes surrounding land use and potential sources of contaminants, and often take many years to quantify. Once the assessments are complete, prescriptions for management are developed from minimization of pollutant loads to changes in land use and stream channel restoration. Overall goals are to allow reasonable and healthy levels of development while protecting these vital resources.
University of Lynchburg in partnership with University of Georgia Costa Rica have initiated a program to involve students in water quality investigation and learning opportunities abroad.
This program allows students to intern on the UGA-CR campus learning about tropical ecology and life in Costa Rica. Each semester a student lives and works with Costa Ricans learning about food supply, water supply and treatment, stream ecology, forest ecology and social life.
Students complete associated course work, learn Spanish and help throughout the community. The research and coursework is supervised by professors from University of Georgia and University of Lynchburg. Staff and other interns located on UGA-CR work and supervise students in daily life and work in the community. Students also have the opportunity to conduct short (2-3 week) learning opportunities traveling throughout Costa Rica and learning first-hand about the research project. The program provides each student the opportunity to experience Costa Rican culture and the challenges of providing clean, healthy water throughout the world.
Study Abroad
Students in Costa RicaTravel to Costa Rica to experience diverse ecosystems, immerse yourself into the culture, and gain hands on field experience!
The study abroad Costa Rica program is a 2-3 week intensive program, designed to introduce students to Environmental Sustainability, Water Quality, and ecosystem diversity throughout Costa Rica, all while experiencing the Costa Rican culture. You would travel with University of Lynchburg and Costa Rica-based instructors, following a prepared itinerary (see example – 2016 itinerary).
This study abroad program, like others, integrates students from University of Lynchburg into a class-like atmosphere while learning about Costa Rica’s wildlife, water quality issues, and many more topics that are introduced during this trip. While on this trip, the University of Georgia provides University of Lynchburg students housing on their Costa Rica campus and use of the facilities as well as receive daily meals. There is coursework to be completed at the end of the trip, enhancing the learning experience. At the end of the 2-3 week program, it is expected students turn in an assignment related to daily experiences in order to receive credit for the course. This program satisfies both the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies experiential learning component for degree requirements.
Useful information, including costs
- Cost for Costa Rica Trip: Typically student trips average $100 a day, including transportation, food, lodging, and excursions.
- Flight: $350-500 Excursions: $20-30 per person depending on number of students
- Lodging: $30-40 a night per person, depending on number of students
- Food: $5-15 per day — this varies. Some meals are provided and others you must pay for.
- Gifts: Varies by each student
- Transportation: $100 per day; cost varies depending on number of participating students
- Credit hours (3): $1,470
Internship
LC offers a unique experience that allows students to immerse themselves into the Costa Rican community while conducting independent research as the Water Quality intern at the University of Georgia’s Costa Rica campus.
Not only will the student manage freshwater research in the beautiful Bell-Bird Biological Corridor, they will gain hands-on field experience, working extensively with macroinvertebrates collection and identification, data management, and fellow UGA Costa Rica researchers and interns.
Previous internship students used the opportunity to further their research, using it towards Honors in their major, as well as thesis defense for Lynchburg’s Westover Program.
Internship opportunities are available in summer, spring, and fall. Room and board is provided as part of the internship by UGA Costa Rica facilities, making students only financially responsible for tuition to University of Lynchburg and flights to and from Costa Rica.
Students enroll in independent study courses from University of Lynchburg and can also receive internship credit. Students need a basic understanding of Spanish with a minimum of Spanish 201 at University of Lynchburg, or the equivalent through an AP course or community college courses. This internship opportunity is one of a kind, allowing students with diverse interests and backgrounds to gain experience that could potentially distinguish them from other applicants for employment and graduate school.
Research
In 2012, the Water Quality Center began a multi-year partnership with The University of Georgia Costa Rica to study water quality in three river systems throughout the Bellbird Biological Corridor.
The venture comprises many goals, not simply aimed at improving the water quality, but also heightening awareness concerning land use, stream monitoring of water pollution and student engagement. The corridor is uniquely positioned along the Pacific Slope incorporating the area of Monteverde Cloud Forest in the headwaters, providing a pristine originating water source for study.
As water flows down the slope, it encounters various levels of development, farms of differing sizes and scopes, hydroelectric projects, multi-use by citizens, and levels of stream bed alteration. Water quality and quantity changes are striking. This project comprises quantifying how these changes influence water quality, and developing various monitoring techniques to engage students, community members, corridor staff and government officials.
Blackwater/Ivy Creek Watershed encompasses a significant tributary to the James River (and Chesapeake Bay) with origins in Campbell and Bedford Counties before flowing through the city of Lynchburg and entering the James downtown. The Ivy Creek portion drains primarily farmland and residential development up the the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Development pressure is increasing on this portion of the watershed, particularly in the areas adjacent to Lynchburg City. It flows into Blackwater Creek at the Blackwater Creek Trail Park in the middle of town. The Blackwater Creek system develops from three headwater streams: Burton/Rock Castle, Dreaming and Tomahawk Creeks. These three creek systems face tremendous development pressure and are currently very incised and eroding rapidly delivering high sediment loads to the James River.
The most significant feature on this system is College Lake. This lake serves as a sediment basis filling rapidly as erosion has become severe. University of Lynchburg in association with Lynchburg City monitors this stream system annually in early April to assess its health and determine management goals and objectives. This information is presented as a written document, powerpoint presentation and data collected.
Environmental Health, Policy, and Sustainability
Staff at the Center for Water Quality also investigates links between environmental exposures in water and health impacts. We are concerned with differing forms of wastewater effluent and how they impact individuals — this includes individual wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, and larger municipal wastewater discharge and storm water. These discharges contain levels of pollutants that are potentially harmful to human health; we are currently investigating these links.
We’re engaged in the process of strengthening protective laws and commenting at public hearings on local policy matters; and we’re concerned with any pending legislation or existing policy that is not protective enough of our streams, wetlands and lakes. Our intent is to continue to research alternatives and comment on proposals. We remain involved in the continued work to find viable solutions to College Lake and Blackwater/Ivy Creek.
Our sustainability work involves planting gardens next to the center at Beaver Point to produce sustainable food and teach students sustainable practices. We will continue to work on projects that improve the sustainable use of water including rainwater harvesting for gardens and sustainable systems in use at the center.
Stormwater Management
Stormwater quality is now a priority in water quality management.
Controlling and minimizing both sediment and nutrients must be achieved to improve the nation’s waters and meet water quality goals set forth in regulatory schemes mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and adopted on the state and local levels.
The Center for Water Quality is engaged in active research and management plans to improve water quality in streams, lakes and wetlands.
Rain Gardens and Strategic Planning
Rain gardens and infiltration basins are another tool to improve water quality. The gardens allow creation of basins using rock, waterways and plants to improve infiltration of rainwater into groundwater and beautification of ditches or swales in public areas.
Rain gardens are designed to mitigate the impervious surface on projects and can be used to receive stormwater credits. All projects are designed to fit into the existing landscape and provide maximum benefit.
Wetland Creation and Enhancement
To meet water quality goals and objectives in certain watersheds wetlands can be created.
Working with students and environmental groups, the Center is actively engaged in the creation, design and implementation of freshwater wetlands. These projects are monitored and used as educational tools.
Watershed Management
What is Watershed Management?
- Assessment of current conditions
- Projection of future land use changes
- Analysis of potential effects these changes will have on the environmental health of the watershed
- Data gathering and analysis
Watershed Plan
In accordance with the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement, objectives are defined with recommended measurable activities. The intent is to develop plans and objectives to preserve and conserve areas not yet impacted, to slow degradation of watershed natural resources in urbanizing areas and to lessen the projected impact of continued development.
A Watershed Plan represents a long term commitment to preserve and protect the natural resources of a watershed. Having a plan is a critical step in protecting the environment by increasing awareness among citizens and building strong partnerships to improve and maintain a healthy environment across political jurisdictions.
Watershed plans promote and support community-based efforts in preserving natural resources while preserving property rights within the watershed, and promoting watershed awareness, appreciation and active stewardship among residents, community associations and businesses for maintaining a healthy environment.
The Blackwater Creek Watershed Management Plan is based upon findings of recent comprehensive scientific studies of the environmental health of the Blackwater Creek watershed. This plan will be used as a model for other watershed plans in Central Virginia.
Blackwater Creek Watershed Management Plan (PDF)
Reservoir Water Quality
Reservoirs include any impounded river system, regardless of size. These systems provide opportunities for recreation, swimming, fishing, power generation, flood control, drinking water, and general enjoyment. As water flows into the impoundment, it characteristically changes, stratifying into multiple layers and reflecting the water quality of the surrounding watershed, shoreline and hydrology. Reservoirs are hybrids of both stream and lake systems. Management of these systems first involves studies of vertical and horizontal profiles of water quality.
Reservoirs metabolize nutrients and contaminants; each portion of the reservoir reflects these processes. Once the processes are understood, various scenarios of management are proposed to reflect the stated goals. Reservoir management encompasses land use throughout the watershed and manipulation of the water body itself.
The Blackwater Creek Watershed (H03) has a drainage area of 42,000 acres (170 km2). Three municipal jurisdictions (Lynchburg City and Bedford and Campbell Counties) govern land use throughout this watershed. The portions of the watershed in Lynchburg City are primarily urbanized and managed within the context of the City’s comprehensive plan. Areas of each of the two counties adjacent to Lynchburg City are increasingly becoming more urbanized. This growth is radiating out into the undeveloped portions of the watershed. Blackwater Creek is a major tributary of the James River in Virginia.
College Lake is a 25-acre reservoir located on the campus of University of Lynchburg within the Blackwater Creek watershed. It is the largest urban lake in Lynchburg. It is located in a critical position, capturing surface waters from multiple sources of the Blackwater Creek watershed just before emptying into the James River. College Lake’s ecosystem is degrading rapidly as it fills with sediment, nutrients, and raw sewage, resulting in the rapid development of watershed and stormwater management problems.
The effects of these problems are startling. The dam for College Lake was built in 1934. At that time the lake measured 44.5 acres with a maximum depth of 30 feet. Today, the lake has less than 25 acres surface area with an average depth of 7 feet. In areas near the center of the lake, the sediment has accumulated to the point of breaching the surface. Despite the presence of the lake, sediment still makes its way into the Blackwater Creek, which empties into the James River and ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay.
Water Quality Program
For many years, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitored Leesville Lake water quality either annually or biannually. Beginning in 2006, DEQ placed Leesville Lake on a six-year rotation for water monitoring. However, DEQ collected water quality data in 2009 and 2010.
In an effort to supplement DEQ water quality monitoring, the Leesville Lake Association (LLA) began a Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program in April 2007. Citizen volunteers monitored bacteria, Secchi depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and conductivity. LLA outlined four goals for the program:
- Gain a greater understanding of the lake’s water quality.
- Supplement the DEQ water quality monitoring.
- Increase the community’s awareness of the importance of water quality.
- Inform residents about harmful factors that damage water quality and age the lake. (Lobue, 2010)
Under the Federal Power Act (FPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy Organization Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the power to approve licenses for up to 50 years for the management of non-federal hydroelectric projects (FERC, 2009, p. ii). The Commission issued the first license for the Smith Mountain Pumped Storage Project to Appalachian Power on April 1, 1960 with a set expiration date of March 31, 2010 (FERC, 2009).
As part of its relicensing process, Appalachian Power was required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to implement a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). In July 2005, FERC approved a SMP proposed by Appalachian for the Smith Mountain Project. The purpose of this plan is “to ensure the protection and enhancement of the project’s recreational, environmental, cultural, and scenic resources and the project’s primary function, the production of electricity.” (FERC, 2009, p. 22). The SMP works to preserve green space, wetlands, and wildlife habitats along the shoreline. Property owners may not remove vegetation within the project boundary unless they have received permission from Appalachian Power.
To renew their license, Appalachian Power Company submitted an application for a new license in March 2008. In August 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Smith Mountain Project relicensing. While reissuing, the Commission reviewed AEP’s methods and proposals for “the protection, mitigation of damage to, and enhancement of fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat), the protection of recreational opportunities, and the preservation of other aspects of environmental quality.” In the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), FERC endorsed Appalachian Power’s proposed $25,000 annually to the LLA to support the on-going water quality monitoring program. The Commission approved the new license, effective April 1, 2010.
FERC recommended a few modifications to Appalachian Power’s Water Quality Monitoring Plan including a proposal to develop a lake water quality monitoring plan. FERC determined that the primary water quality issues for Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes arise from nutrients and bacteria. Rather than coming from the dams’ operations, the nutrients and bacteria come from shoreline development and overall watershed development. In conclusion, FERC recommended:
- The continuation of water-quality monitoring for Smith Mountain Lake.
- The establishment of a water quality monitoring program for Leesville Lake.
- Ensuring the future health of the lakes by monitoring lake quality to verify that any changes in operational strategy at the Smith Mountain project do not harm water quality.
Property at Wintergreen Resort includes multiple small ponds ranging in size from 2-5 acres. These ponds are located throughout the property and provide excellent aesthetic additions to the neighborhoods and homes in the Stony Creek Subdivision. Ponds capture run-off from nearby Crawford’s Knob and release through various streams into the South Fork of Rockfish River. These ponds provide water quality benefits along with boating and fishing opportunities for WPOA (Wintergreen Property Owners Association).
Current work involves overall water quality assessment of the ponds, including profiles of key chemical constituents, fish population estimates, and algal and zooplankton productivity. These measures provide baseline conditions used to develop management plans for the ponds.
