The Ripple Effect: Windsor Woods Tide Gate Project Takes Shape

The installation of the first piece of the tide gate access platform on Sept. 4 marked a significant advancement in the Windsor Woods Tide Gate project. Completing the platform is a pivotal development that adds greater efficiency to the installation process of the tide gates – a crucial component of the flood protection system. 

This project will be completed in spring 2025. Notably, it will also be the first major flood control structure completed under the Flood Protection Program. 

Key Facts About the Project

The Windsor Woods Tide Gate project incorporates several advanced engineering techniques and materials to ensure its effectiveness and durability:

• Sheet Piles: Nearly half an acre of sheet piles stabilize the construction site, providing a solid foundation for the project.
• Soil and Construction Materials: A substantial amount of soil — 340 dump truck loads — will be used to build up the area, particularly where the pump station and control building will be situated.
• Concrete Piles: The tide gate base slab is supported by 15 concrete piles. Each pile is driven 100 feet into the ground, roughly the height of a seven-story building. 
• Water Level Sensors: Nine water level sensors will be installed along Thalia Creek, extending from Virginia Beach Boulevard to Lake Trashmore. These sensors will provide real-time data to control the tide gates. 
• Previous Installations: This is the fourth location where the City has used tide gates to manage water flow from nearby waterways. Similar installations are complete in Rosemont Forest, Ashville Park and Cape Henry neighborhoods.

Historical Context and Background

Windsor Woods is situated in a region with a rich history of transformation. The neighborhood once lay within the undeveloped headwaters of the Lynnhaven River. Aerial photographs from 1949 reveal that dense forests and surrounding farmland initially characterized the area. Over time, this picturesque landscape has evolved into a residential area, but it has not escaped the challenges of such change.

The topography of Windsor Woods features relatively low elevations, placing it within the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 100-year floodplain. This designation means the area is at high risk of flooding from significant storm events. The stormwater infrastructure in Windsor Woods, which is over 50 years old, reflects standards and practices that were less rigorous than today’s stormwater requirements. When the area was first developed, storm drain systems were designed with smaller pipe sizes and less advanced technologies compared to current standards.

Due to these outdated infrastructure elements, Windsor Woods has faced persistent and widespread flooding issues. To address these challenges, infrastructure improvements are required, including tide gates and flood barriers, a pump station, increased stormwater storage and new storm drain pipes.

The Windsor Woods Tide Gate project is critical to this broader strategy. It is the first of several infrastructure upgrades planned for the Windsor Woods area to mitigate flooding. By incorporating modern flood protection technologies, the project aims to significantly enhance the area's resilience to storm surges and heavy rainfall.

These upgrades are part of a larger vision to transform Windsor Woods into a more flood-resilient community. The successful completion of the tide gate installation and other related projects will address historical flooding problems and improve the neighborhood's overall safety and livability.

To learn more about this project visit VirginiaBeach.gov/Windsor-Woods.

The Virginia Beach Flood Protection Program — The Ripple Effect — is a comprehensive 10-year plan to address recurrent flooding in Virginia Beach. In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city. The projects are led by Public Works with support from a community oversight board for transparency and accountability. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/RippleEffect.