Case Study: Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek

The Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek (formerly the Cobbs Creek Reservoir) stands as one of the most significant water infrastructure projects in Virginia’s history—and the largest civil design and construction effort ever undertaken by Henrico County. To secure long-term drinking water reliability for a growing region, Henrico County partnered with Schnabel Engineering and Arcadis to design and construct a 15.5-billion-gallon off-stream storage reservoir capable of augmenting flows in the James River during drought conditions.

This case study video chronicles the 20-year journey to bring the Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir from concept to completion, showcasing progress footage, behind-the-scenes construction clips, and views of the fully realized project. Engineers, geologists, and county leaders share insights on technical challenges, seismic design updates, and the multi‑stage filling process, highlighting the collaboration of more than 100 professionals.

Now at full pool, the reservoir is preparing for recreational use and will provide a dependable water supply for the next 50 to 75 years—showcasing the engineering, partnership, and vision behind its creation.