Ragged Mountain Reservoir

MTM Enterprises is proud to lead the complex clearing operations for the Ragged Mountain Reservoir expansion, a landmark infrastructure project for the City of Charlottesville. This initiative is designed to significantly increase the region's water storage capacity by facilitating a higher pool elevation—an effort that requires the strategic removal of over 2,200 trees along the reservoir’s rugged perimeter. Because the project area is defined by steep, inaccessible shorelines and sensitive environmental zones, MTM Enterprises was selected to deploy a high-tech, water-first strategy that allows for large-scale timber harvesting and debris management without the need for traditional land-based access.

Strategic Planning through Aerial and Underwater Intelligence

Precision is the foundation of our work at Ragged Mountain. Before the first tree was felled, MTM Enterprises utilized a combination of aerial and underwater drones to create a comprehensive map of the project site. This dual-layered mapping approach allowed us to analyze the steep grades of the terrain and the bathymetry of the reservoir floor simultaneously.

By visualizing the landscape from both above and below the waterline, we identified the safest extraction points and planned our barge routes with surgical accuracy. This data-driven preparation is what allows our crew to navigate the logistical complexities of a 2,200-tree removal plan while maintaining a clear picture of the changing environment as the water levels eventually rise.

The MTM Marine Fleet: Turning Water into a Highway

The core of our operation is a specialized fleet designed to overcome the "access-impossible" nature of the site. Because the terrain is too steep for traditional logging trucks, we utilize a water-based logistics chain:

• Custom Grapple Barges: We deploy two custom-engineered grapple barges that serve as floating heavy-lift platforms. These allow our team to retrieve massive logs directly from the water’s edge, bypassing the need for disruptive access roads.

• Weedoo Environmental Workboats: These agile vessels act as our primary skimming units. They patrol the project area to collect small branches, leaves, and organic debris, ensuring the reservoir’s water remains pristine throughout the expansion process.

• Industrial Transport: By moving all timber via water to a centralized landing, we eliminate the risk of soil erosion and habitat destruction that occurs with traditional land-based hauling.

High-Efficiency Volume Reduction

Handling the sheer mass of timber from 2,200 trees requires a sophisticated on-site processing strategy. MTM Enterprises focuses on extreme volume reduction to ensure the project remains efficient and environmentally responsible.

• AirBurner Burn Box Technology: We utilize the AirBurner burn box to manage logs and brush. This system uses a high-velocity air curtain to incinerate organic waste at high temperatures, reducing massive quantities of wood into a tiny fraction of its original volume.

• Industrial Chipping: High-capacity wood chippers work in tandem with the burn boxes to process material, further shrinking the footprint of the waste and preparing it for final disposal.

• Excavator Integration: Heavy-duty excavators facilitate the hand-off from the water to the land, moving logs seamlessly from the barges to the chippers and burners for immediate processing.

Safety, Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship

The environment at Ragged Mountain presents unique challenges, from vertical slopes to unpredictable weather. MTM Enterprises has built its reputation on maintaining a consistent operational tempo even when the elements shift.

• Zero Habitat Disruption: Our waterborne approach means we can group and operate without scarring the landscape or displacing local wildlife.

• Safety-First Culture: Felling trees on steep inclines requires elite teamwork. Our crews utilize "Team-Felling" protocols, mandatory PFDs, and hard hats to manage the dual risks of water and forestry work.

• All-Weather Capability: Unlike land-based equipment that can get bogged down in mud, our marine fleet remains operational in rain and snow, ensuring the City of Charlottesville’s timeline is never compromised.

This expansion is about more than just moving trees; it’s about securing a reliable water future for the community. MTM Enterprises provides the specialized equipment, technical expertise, and grit required to make it happen.