South Fork Rivanna Reservoir

Ecosystem Overview

The South Fork Rivanna Reservoir ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 93 taxonomic genera. Located in Albemarle County, Virginia, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 10 Albemarle County County natural areas, placing it in the 80th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Charlottesville

0% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common9 obs.

Tringa solitaria

Solitary Sandpiper

Very Common6 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common6 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Very Common6 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common5 obs.

Libellula incesta

Slaty Skimmer

Common4 obs.

Chionanthus virginicus

Fringetree

Common3 obs.

Vulpes vulpes

fox, red fox

Common3 obs.

Lontra canadensis

River Otter

Common3 obs.

Galearis spectabilis

showy orchis

Common3 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Common3 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional3 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Occasional3 obs.

Iris pseudacorus

yellow flag, yellow iris

Occasional3 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional2 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional2 obs.

Colaptes auratus

common flicker

Occasional2 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Rare2 obs.

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping Turtle

Rare2 obs.

Acris crepitans

Eastern Cricket Frog

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+138%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Albemarle County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charlottesville

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Albemarle County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Chris Greene Lake

Importance: 0.35

81 species

+23% vs. current

Walnut Creek

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+456% vs. current

Crozet Park Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Mint Springs Upper Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Totier Creek Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

17 species

+488% vs. current

Lake Albemarle

Importance: 0.20

16 species

+525% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Albemarle County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+138%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Albemarle County County, Virginia

Nearby Natural Areas

Charlottesville

Importance: 0.55

100 species

0% vs. current

Albemarle County

Importance: 0.44

100 species

0% vs. current

Chris Greene Lake

Importance: 0.35

81 species

+23% vs. current

Walnut Creek

Importance: 0.35

18 species

+456% vs. current

Crozet Park Pond

Importance: 0.35

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Mint Springs Upper Lake

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Totier Creek Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

17 species

+488% vs. current

Lake Albemarle

Importance: 0.20

16 species

+525% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 10 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 10 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Charlottesville

0% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Anas platyrhynchos

mallard

Very Common9 obs.

Tringa solitaria

Solitary Sandpiper

Very Common6 obs.

Branta canadensis

Canada goose

Very Common6 obs.

Plathemis lydia

Common Whitetail

Very Common6 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Very Common5 obs.

Libellula incesta

Slaty Skimmer

Common4 obs.

Chionanthus virginicus

Fringetree

Common3 obs.

Vulpes vulpes

fox, red fox

Common3 obs.

Lontra canadensis

River Otter

Common3 obs.

Galearis spectabilis

showy orchis

Common3 obs.

Aix sponsa

wood duck

Common3 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Occasional3 obs.

Castor canadensis

Canadian beaver

Occasional3 obs.

Iris pseudacorus

yellow flag, yellow iris

Occasional3 obs.

Pandion haliaetus

osprey

Occasional2 obs.

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

Occasional2 obs.

Colaptes auratus

common flicker

Occasional2 obs.

Megaceryle alcyon

Belted Kingfisher

Rare2 obs.

Chelydra serpentina

Snapping Turtle

Rare2 obs.

Acris crepitans

Eastern Cricket Frog

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.