The National Park Service is beginning work to restore the stream bank at Werowocomoco, an archaeological site located on the north side of the York River in Gloucester.

The stream is a tributary to neighboring Leigh Creek, which feeds into the York River, and was dammed by a previous owner. The dam failed in 2019, leading to erosion and the flooding of sediment and construction debris into the wetlands downstream, a release said. Soil, vegetation and stones were placed to control further erosion and stabilize the streambank. Today, the stream is also experiencing significant beaver activity.

In 2024 and 2025, NPS is undertaking the first stages of a project to restore the streambed to a more natural state. A contract has been awarded to Vitetta Architects & Engineers, who will be working with Langan, an engineering and environmental services firm, to complete the project, the release said.

The goals of the restoration project are to regrade the floodplain and restore the...