Environmental and Water Resource Information
| Article Index |
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| Environmental and Water Resource Information |
| Karst Information |
| Groundwater Recharge and the Limestone Ridge |
| Water Resource Information |
| Drought & Flooding Information |
| Biosolids |
| All Pages |
| Alison Teetor | (540) 955-5134 |
| Natural Resource Planner | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
Clarke County has a unique and beautiful landscape with a wealth of Natural Resources. The eastern border is the west slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains leading down to the main stem of the Shenandoah River, a State Scenic River. The Appalachian Trail traverses the Mountain. On the west side of the River lies the northern portion of the Shenandoah Valley. Underlying the Valley is limestone geology or karst. Karst terrain is characterized by sinkholes, springs and sinking streams. Although beautiful, karst features present a challenge to water quality protection as they provide a pathway between the surface waters and runoff to groundwater which the majority of the human population relies on for drinking water. Much of the County's natural resource protection efforts strive to protect these water resources. Want to learn more about karst and how you can help protect groundwater? click here Karst Info
| More Information |
Environmental Protection Plans and Ordinances
| Comprehensive Plan Sections |
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| Water Resources Plan | |
| Groundwater Resources Plan | |
| Surface Water Resources Plan | |
| Mountain Land Plan w/ color maps | Large file |
| Mountain Land Plan w/out color maps | A more manageable download |
| Mountain Land Plan Summary | Quick look at intent of the Mountain Land Plan |
| Timber Harvest Regulations | Loggers need a to submit a pre-harvest plan |
| Vegetative Clearing Limits | Read before cutting or clearing on your property |
| Zoning Regulations | |
| Flood Plain Ordinance | Updated September 28, 2007 |
| Spring Conservation Overlay District | Overlay Reguations Prospect Hill Spring public water supply for Boyce, Millwood, Waterloo, & White Post |
| Stream Protection Overlay District | Limits vegetative clearing along perennial streams |
| County Code |
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| Septic Ordinance | County regulations pertaining to septic system siting and installation, upated 6/15/10 |
| Well Ordinance | County regulations pertaining to well siting and installation, updated 2/17/09 |
| Sinkhole Ordinance | Dont put things in sinkholes you wouldn't drink! |
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Ordinances & Code Sections relating to Karst |
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More Information |
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Living on Karst - Guide for |
Did you know that there are specific places in the county that play a critical role in recharging our ground water? Water that falls as precipitation needs to find pathways to the groundwater and that happens best in the carbonate areas where sinkholes, caves, sinking streams, faults and fractures provide easy access for water to percolate down to the water table.
Even in the carbonates that underlie most of the valley area, some areas are more critical than others for groundwater recharge. On the western side of Clarke County there is a limestone ridge that runs from Double Tollgate and trends to the NE crossing into WV to the east of Stones Chapel. This area, identified by the US Geological Survey is approximately 22,100 acres in size and contains the drainage divide between the Opequon Creek and the Shenandoah River. It is also a critical area for filling the groundwater that runs below the county because of its unique structure, elevation, and distance from the river, streams, and springs which discharge water from the groundwater.
Why do you care? What we do in this critical recharge area to preserve our permeable surfaces for groundwater recharge affects water availability and quality for a large portion of the county. To help protect this area, the Easement Authority is asking the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the state agency responsible for conservation easement holdings, to designate this area as a priority project area. The purpose of the designation is to focus resources on placing properties in the recharge area into permanent conservation easement to reduce development potential on this critical resource area.
Map showing groundwater recharge area.
Water Resource Information
Clarke County has long been a leader in environmental protection and managed controlled growth. This is evidenced by the extensive long-term planning and visionary thinking that occurred in the early 1980's. During this time the County realized the importance of our groundwater resources and developed the Groundwater Protection Plan. This plan led to the establishment of the septic and well ordinances, sinkhole ordinance, the first USGS groundwater study, and an overall awareness of the sensitive nature of our groundwater resources from a water quality view. The County also adopted Sliding Scale Zoning, implemented the Agricultural/Forestal District, use value taxation, use of the LESA scoring system, and designated growth areas. These tools, in addition to more recent protection efforts such as the establishment of the Conservation Easement Authority and adoption of the Mountain Land Plan, have provided a strong framework to allow for growth while protecting our agricultural economy and natural and historic resources.
Water Levels - Clarke County
In 2002, as a result of a prolonged and serious drought, the County initiated a 6-year groundwater study with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The primary objective of the study was to enhance the County's understanding of the quantity and sustainability of our ground-water resources. The following link details the results and findings of this six-year study. Monitoring will continue annually as funding is approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Current County Real-time water levels - 5 Real time Gages What are the water levels in your area
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Dry Marsh Run -Northwestern Clarke - Stream
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Spout Run - Central Clarke - Stream
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County Park - Berryville - Well
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Blandy - Central Clarke - Well
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Rockwood Ridge - Northeastern Clarke on Mountain - Well
USGS Water Monitoring Study - details water levels from well monitoring in the County
Final report for the County's 6-year groundwater study - 2002-2008
The USGS Scientific Investigations Report - "Hydrogeology and groundwater availability in Clarke County, Virginia" By: D.L. Nelms and R.M. Moberg, JR.
Summary of 6 year USGS Ground Water Study - What did the County learn - Click Here to Find Out
Link to additional Water Conservation Information
How much water is your leaky faucet using - check the Drip Calculator
Drought Information
Supervisors adopt Drought Response Plan and Ordinance - May 20, 2008
Flood Information - Shenandoah River
Route 50 bridge looking west September 1996. Photo by: Bonnie Jacobs
Current Flood Stage Information - NWS Watches, Warnings, and Advisories
Graph Detailing Current Flood Stage - NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
BIOSOLIDS
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Laura Shifflett |
(540) 931-5112 |
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
On July 15, 1997 the Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of a text amendment establishing standards for the application of Biosolids.
Beginning in 1998, two companies, Bio Gro and Recyc Systems applied biosolids in the County. Currently Synagro (formally Bio-Gro) and Wright Trucking spread on area farms.
In 2004, State law repealed Counties ability to regulate biosolid application beyond testing and monitoring. The change permits Counties to request reimbursement for expenses relating to monitoring and testing but eliminates increased setback standards that Clarke County had adopted to protect ground and surface water resources in sensitive karst areas. The County maintains the ordinance and requests applicators to comply.
All applications have been closely monitored by County and State representatives and have been in compliance with all requirements. In accordance with State Regulations, Counties may be reimbursed for the testing and monitoring expenses.
Beginning January 1, 2008 the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) assumed regulatory oversight of all land application of treated sewage sludge, commonly referred to as biosolids.
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More Information |
This action, which moves oversight of the Biosolids Use Regulations from the Virginia Department of Health to DEQ, was at the direction of the 2007 General Assembly, which voted to consolidate the regulatory programs so that all persons land applying biosolids would be subject to uniform requirements, and to take advantage of the existing compliance and enforcement structure at DEQ. DEQ has established an Office of Land Application Programs within the Water Quality Division to manage the biosolids program, as well as land application of industrial sludges, septage, livestock and poultry waste, and water reclamation and reuse. The Virginia Department of Health will continue to consult with DEQ and advise the public on health issues related to biosolids applications. State Web Site
Current new State regulations require:
· Nutrient Management Plan to be submitted with application
· Posting of property 48 hours prior to application
· No spreading on snow
Contact Information
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Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) |
Central Office - Richmond |
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Neil Zahradka |
(804) 698-4102 |
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Bryan Cauthorn |
(804) 698-4592 |
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DEQ Field Personnel - Clarke County |
Harrisonburg |
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Tad Williams |
(540) 574-7888 |
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DEQ Permitting Agent - Clarke County |
Harrisonburg |
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Keith Showman |
(540) 574-7836 |
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Biosolids applicators
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Company Name |
Address |
City, State Zip |
Contact |
Phone |
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Milton Wright Trucking, Inc. |
11307 Baritone Court |
Silver Spring, MD 20901 |
Lloyd Wright |
(301) 681-7764 |
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Synagro |
7014 E. Baltimore St. |
Baltimore, MD 21224 |
Kelly Love |
(800) 825-5698 |
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Recyc Systems, Inc. |
P.O. Box 562 |
Remington, VA 22734 |
Susan Trumbo |
(800) 352-3261 |