Transforming the James River in Richmond
By
Ralph Hambrick
Originally, the James
River was a mode of transport, a source of food and water and provided a spirituality in the
culture of our original residents, native Americans. The colonists arrived and the river took its
place in their culture, as well. Then, through
the years, as the population expanded, the river became a source of power and
industry and a reservoir for sewage.
Following the Civil War, Richmond
expanded and, in its expansion piped its sewage directly into the James. This took place for approximately 90 years
until restoration rose to our consciousness due to changes in technology, and awareness of water
quality and the environment. Waterpower was being replaced
by more efficient sources of power and more citizens wanted to and could
recreate on the river because of more free time and a better standard of
living. As an example of the condition
of the river, commercial fishing had been ruined for 40 miles downriver. Fish had a bad smell and taste.
Ralph Hambrick has written
a book documenting the journey, trials, tribulations and political upheavals in
the current and continued renovation of the James in Richmond. This not only affects Richmonders, but anyone
downriver of the city. Mr. Hambrick’s
working title for his book was “From Sewer to Park”, very apt. If you have any affinity for the James River,
it’s a great story.
In 1953 design began for sewage
collection and the treatment plant. In
October of 1958, the first phase of the treatment plant was opened. It was far from sufficient; however, it was a
beginning.
Prior to the 1970’s, there
was virtually no public access to the river in Richmond. Most adjacent property was privately owned
and to access the river you had to trespass.
The dedication of the first section to the James River Park System occurred
in October of 1970. This was the result
of much discussion (many times heated), lobbying and effort by many individuals
and groups both public and private. Access
to the river by the public began to be available.
The eventual intent of their
Park Plan was to provide “water, granite and dirt”. Water was for boating, kayaking, paddle
boarding, etc. Granite was for
climbing. Dirt was for the trail
system.
The topography of the
Richmond ten mile stretch of the James provides for beginner rapids, more
advanced rapids, flatwater canoeing, paddle boarding, etc. and motorized
boating. Areas around the river and canals
provide the “dirt” for the trail system.
The abandoned abutment for the Richmond and Petersburg railroad bridge
and the quarry sites on Belle Isle provide several climbing routes for those
interested.
Cleaning up the James has
resulted in a resurgence of wildlife, the most well known being the bald
eagle. Birding, fishing, and wildlife
photography are once again alive and well in our James thanks to these efforts.
Incorporating all of this,
water quality, aesthetics, recreation and wildlife together with the development
and re-development of the Richmond shoreline has been and is a huge element of
this overall effort not to mention millions of dollars spent and to be spent. A quote from Mr. Hambrick’s
book:
“The
restoration/construction of the downtown riverfront has been and continues to
be a complex puzzle, fitting together pieces that sometimes mesh and sometimes
do not. Private property, commerce,
recreation, flood protection, historic preservation, public utilities and
transportation each has its constituency as well as physical presence on the
ground.”
This review is just a
miniscule part of the story Mr. Hambrick has documented so well. I do hope I have been able to do some justice
to the monumental efforts that have been exercised over the last 70 years to
clean up “our James”. As a downriver resident
I will be eternally grateful for those efforts and future ones as they
continue. The James River holds a
special place in my heart and for those of you who may feel the same, this is a
story that you want to read.
Michael N. Vanatta
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