Below are selected examples of documentation by Mountain Valley Watch volunteers. For more comprehensive information about images of possible violations, see MVWatch Reports to the Virginia Water Control Board.

August 2020

As a COVID-19 cases spiked in West Virginia, MVP workers continued to flout safety protocols. These photos were taken in Monroe County, WV, on August 17, 2020.

April 2020

Effective March 25, 2020, Executive Order 53 in Virginia required that “All businesses shall, to the extent possible, adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities while in operation.” Photos taken by volunteer monitors show workers standing closer than six feet to one another without masks or other personal protective equipment.


October 20, 2019 — Franklin County, Virginia

Heavy sediment from Little Creek, crossed several times by Mountain Valley Pipeline in Franklin County, flowing into the Blackwater River


August 9, 2019 — Lewis County, West Virginia

Erosion gullies forming on unstabilized slope, causing sediment-laden water to flow to overwhelmed erosion and sediment control measures and into Knawl Creek. Submitted to partners at West Virginia Rivers during August 2019 VioBlitz.


July 21, 2019 — Montgomery County, Virginia

Sediment-laden water leaving MVP construction site and flowing into drainage ways, across a public road and bridge, and into a creek during rain. Additional photos of this incident were included in the September 2019 Report to the Virginia State Water Control Board.


February 3 and 24, 2019 — Franklin County, Virginia

Continued erosion of creek bank with issues dating back to May 2018.


January 24, 2019 — Franklin County, Virginia

1) Earth disturbance to edge of water body with no erosion control. Failed sediment controls allowed sedimentation to wash next to and under bridge and into creek. 2) Increased runoff from construction resulted in higher and faster flows, which resulted in increased sediment deposition and bank erosion. 3) Failed silt fence.


November 15, 2018 — Franklin County, Virginia

Sediment-laden water flowing off the right-of-way created a sinkhole.


October 11, 2018 — Giles County, Virginia

Failed erosion and sediment controls, sediment in stream.


September 23, 2018 — Franklin County, Virginia


August 2 and 3, 2018 — Pembroke, Giles County, Virginia

Erosion gullies, bare soil (no mulch), failed Best Management Practices (BMPs), sediment discharge outside construction area.


July 12, 2018 — Craig County, Virginia

Four large earth movers parked overnight within 100′ of signs warning “No refueling or parking within 100.'”