A citizens group is asking for a halt to a water district's plans for an earthen dam and uphill pipeline near Charlottesville.

On Tuesday, Citizens for a Sustainable Water Plan asked the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority from building the dam in the Ragged Mountain Natural Area.

The project was intended to supply drinking water to the Charlottesville area for the next 50 years.

Instead, the citizens group is asking that the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir be dredged to improve its capacity.

The group also says a survey last year found the reservoir has more water capacity than previously thought due to lower-than-expected sedimentation.

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