The Rivanna hosts a number of species of wildlife, from mammals like beaver, otter and mink to birds like heron, osprey and the bald eagle, and, of course, fish, with bass and perch chief among them. Of all the species, the most treasured is the James River spiny mussel. Globally rare and federally endangered, the spiny mussel occurs in the headwater streams of the Rivanna, which is considered one of its best habitats, due to the availability and quality of habitat and presence of all eight of its host fishes. Historically, the lower Rivanna mainstem was the home for the mussel but has been degraded over the past 30 years due to sedimentation and pollution. Other globally rare mussels occur in the mainstem Rivanna, including the Atlantic pigtoe and the green floater.
Related stories
Meg Bryce appointed to Virginia Board of Education
Former Albemarle County School Board candidate Meg Bryce was appointed to the Virginia Board of Education by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on July 24. As a member of the VBOE, Bryce is now one of the top education officials in the state despite losing her previous bid for public office. In addition to her appointment to […]
Businesses near the much-debated Belmont Bridge hopeful for a comeback
Both Project Gait-Way and the Belmont Vortex created ways for planners to dream up ideas for the urban landscape around Avon Street. Since 2011, there have been many transformations while the new bridge and street layout awaited construction. In December 2014, what had previously been used as a hair salon and then a small […]
A brief history of the two-decade process to replace the Belmont Bridge
On a warm morning in late June, City Manager Sam Sanders presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Belmont Bridge, a $38 million project that for a time served as another chapter in Charlottesville’s resistance to infrastructure for motorized vehicles. “There are many who didn’t believe that this would actually happen,” Sanders said to […]
