Enhancing Richmond's Water Resilience

Clark Water is currently leading improvements on the Shockoe Diversion Structure in Richmond – a key part of the city’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) system, which was originally built in the early 1970s. The project will alleviate sewage and stormwater overflow during high-water events. To achieve this, crews have installed mechanical trash rake screens to prevent debris from passing through, two crest gates to minimize upstream flooding, and are making upgrades to supporting infrastructure.

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A crucial aspect of this modernization was the installation of two massive crest gates. The crest gates function as specialized movable barriers, offering a level of precision and control over sewer elevation and discharge that older CSO systems, such as Shockoe, often lack. The east gate, spanning 56 feet long and 16 feet tall, was installed in April 2025, followed by the mammoth 86-foot-long west gate in August – the largest gate on the East Coast. Setting these gates – both of which were pre-fabricated in India – required constant coordination among the team as there were only a couple of inches of clearance.

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While the site itself is quite large, the workable area for the hoisting operation was very limited. When planning for the gate hoisting operation, crews had to consider the bridge for the CSX A-Line, which runs directly over the site. Given the restrictive 11-foot clearance of the train's bridge, the team determined that the only possible location to safely position the crane lowering the gates was in an adjacent parking lot. 

As the Shockoe Diversion Structure project nears completion, it stands as a powerful example of Clark Water's commitment to ensuring clean water for our communities. We are proud to deliver essential infrastructure that will protect Richmond's vital water systems for years to come.