About This Project

The Lynnhaven River Basin ecosystem is the largest tidal estuary in the state of Virginia and vital to Virginia Beach for recreation, commerce, transportation and provides us with great ecosystem services that enhance environmental stability. Over time, the ecosystem has become stressed by a shift from rural to suburban and urban land use as well as climate change. The restoration project seeks to address the loss of important resources from wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and hard-bottom oyster reef habitats. The goal is to improve water quality for a productive ecosystem and a healthier Lynnhaven River Basin that all can enjoy. The watershed restoration is a project partnership between the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and City of Virginia Beach.  

Current Status

The restoration types of oyster reef, wetlands, and SAV restorations are completed in a phased approach. The current status of each project phase is shown in the table below.

Restoration Types

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Restoration Types

Oyster Reef

Phase 1

Completed

Phase 2

Completed

Phase 3

N/A

Phase 4

N/A

Restoration Types

Wetlands

Phase 1

Completed

Phase 2

Planning Stage

Phase 3

Planning Stage

Phase 4

Planned Future

Restoration Types

SAV

Phase 1

Completed

Phase 2

N/A

Phase 3

Completed

Phase 4

Planned Future

Project Background

Over the years environmental misconceptions have posed threats to the ecosystems’ health and therefore have suffered from the loss of vital habitat and ecosystem services.

The USACE is the lead agency for the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project. The City of Virginia Beach is the non-federal sponsor, funding 35% of the $39 million total project cost. The project received full federal funding in late 2018. The City’s cost-share portion is fully funded the Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project CIP (100263).

USACE began planning in 2005 and presented the project to the City of Virginia Beach in 2009. A feasibility report and environmental assessment were completed in 2013. The Lynnhaven River Basin Restoration is a significant aspect of achieving goals set in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and Executive Order 13508.

Several public meetings have been held during the planning phase for each phase of the project.

For additional information on this project, please visit USACE’s Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project page.

  • Stormwater & Flood Protection
    • Flood Protection Program Flood Protection Program FAQ Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board Central Resort District Eastern Shore Drive - Phase 1 Cape Henry Canal Phase II Gravity Sewer Relocation North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F Poinciana Pump Station Eastern Shore Drive Bundle Lake Bradford/Chubb Lake Pump Station & Outfall Church Point/Thoroughgood BMP and Drainage Improvements Lake Pleasure House Outfall Lake Bradford Ditch Dredging Linkhorn Bay Drainage Basin First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard Drainage Improvements Seatack Neighborhood Drainage Improvements Southern Rivers Watershed Pungo Ferry Road New Bridge Road West Neck Creek Bridge Stormwater Green Infrastructure Marsh Restoration in Back Bay Elizabeth River Wetland and Floodplain Restoration Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza & The Lakes Club House Road Storm Drainage Windsor Woods Tide Gate South Plaza Trail and Presidential Boulevard Drainage Improvements Old Forge Road and Red Lion Road Drainage Improvements Bow Creek Stormwater Park Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza, and The Lakes Mega Bundle Master Planning Sea Level Wise Stormwater Extension Flood Monitoring Flooding Mitigation Toolbox Stormwater Quality Stormwater Management Facilities Stormwater Regulations Stormwater Utility Fee Discount Stormwater Quality Projects & Evaluations 17th Street Regional Stormwater Facility Ashville Bridge Creek Watershed Bayville Lake Water Quality Improvement Bellamy Woods Water Quality Improvement Brigadoon Park Water Quality Improvement Chatham Hall Lake Water Quality Improvement Historic Kempsville Water Quality Improvements Kemps Lake Water Quality Improvement Lake Bradford & Great Neck Lake Monitoring Lake James Watershed Lake and Pond Water Quality Monitoring Studies Lynnhaven Park Constructed Wetlands Lynnhaven River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project Oceana Gardens Constructed Wetlands Princess Anne Athletic Complex Providence Park Wet Pond Salem Village Park Water Quality Improvement Saw Pen Point Shoreline Restoration Sunstream Park Pond Mosquito Control Mosquito-Borne Diseases Get Involved Adopt-a-Drain Good to Do National Flood Insurance Program Stormwater Management Implementation Advisory Group