Mint Springs Valley Park temporarily closed on Friday, August 9, after a failed culvert pipe made its way through the road surface at the entrance to the park following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Debby. Central Virginia saw several inches of residual rainfall during Debby’s trek north, and the high water levels forced the pipe through the pavement. This isn’t the first time this particular culvert has caused trouble. “This is the same location where the pipe was replaced in 2020,” says Albemarle’s Superintendent of Parks Jim Barbour. “However, the cause of the 2020 failure was … an old and degraded galvanized culvert pipe.” Debby’s effects also prompted the county’s swimming beaches—at Chris Greene Lake, Walnut Creek, and Mint Springs—to close until water levels fall.
Related stories
In brief 12/04/2024
Feeding frenzy Local food equity nonprofit Cultivate Charlottesville launched a fundraising campaign to help cover a $500,000 budget shortfall. Without the donations, the organization may close as soon as spring 2025, according to a November 26 social media post. “Cultivate Charlottesville is at a critical funding crossroads,” shared the organization. Among other challenges, the nonprofit […]
City Council talks budget and everything road-related
At its penultimate meeting of 2024, Charlottesville City Council received its second budget briefing from City Manager Sam Sanders. In addition to the budget, the December 2 session focused on everything transportation—including the Virginia Department of Transportation portfolio, parking rules, and scooters. In his briefing, Sanders outlined and affirmed council’s housing and infrastructure priorities for […]
Hoos once again fall short in Commonwealth Cup
The University of Virginia football season came to an ignominious end November 30, when the team lost 17-37 in the Commonwealth Cup game against Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium. UVA has now ceded the cup to Virginia Tech in 19 of the last 20 matchups (UVA’s victory came in 2019 at home in Scott Stadium). […]
