Issue 10•June 2005 Keeping you informed about the land and water we care about.
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This issue’s content:
1. FOCL Commitment to Aquatic Restoration Plan
2. Independence Day Boat Parade
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1. FOCL Commitment to Aquatic Restoration Plan
FOCL has committed to the first phase of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Claytor
Lake Aquatic Restoration Plan. There will be a public meeting concerning the Plan
and all are encouraged to attend.
The public meeting for the Claytor Lake Aquatic Restoration Plan will be held:
when: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 from 7pm to 9pm
where: New River Community College in Rooker Hall
But first here’s a few questions and answers to provide a little background on the Plan:
What is The Claytor Lake Aquatic Restoration Plan?
It is a project proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers to extend the life of Claytor
Lake.
What do you mean by “the life of Claytor Lake?”...sounds disconcerting.
We like to think our beautiful lake will last forever but Claytor Lake has a finite life.
That lifespan was actually considered when the dam was built.
But what causes Claytor Lake to have a lifespan?
Basically, it fills in.
Fills in with what?
You’ve seen it and it’s one of the big reasons FOCL came about: the debris that
enters the lake and less visible but perhaps more detrimental long-term, the
sediment that is picked up and carried by the New River and deposited in Claytor
Lake.
Claytor Lake is filling in?--where?
Sedimentation occurs anywhere the flow of the New River slows. Debris collects
in coves. A short boat ride around the lake will provide you with examples of a
rising lake bed or coves that aren’t quite as big as they once were.
The rising lake bed in the upper part of Claytor Lake. Photo taken during 2003 drawdown.
What causes all this debris and sedimentation?
Most is natural. Rainfall carries brush, tree limbs, sediment and unfortunately,
trash, from land into the river. But land development upstream, especially careless
development, can significantly impact the amount of debris and sediment entering
the lake.
Is this something only Claytor Lake experiences? Do all lakes fill in?
Yes, eventually--but some faster than others. A “run-of-the-river lake” like ours,
is especially susceptible to fill-in.
What is a “run-of-the-river lake?”
A “run-of-the-river lake” means that once the lake was filled behind the dam,
the river is allowed to run continuously into it and through it to generate
hydroelectric power. In our case, this means that Claytor Lake is constantly
inundated with whatever the New River picks up along its journey to the Gulf
of Mexico. Most hydro plant dams and lakes are run-of-the-river lakes. Smith
Mountain Lake however is not.
Claytor Dam from the air from Jeff Arnold.
So what is the expected life of Claytor Lake?
The engineers who designed Claytor Lake estimated a lifespan of 100 years.
How old is Claytor Lake?
As of 2005, 66 years old. The dam was completed in 1939.
So Claytor Lake only has another 34 years?
Well, 100 years was and is an estimate--but nevertheless, the lake is filling in and
if nothing is done, the problems caused by this fill-in will worsen.
So what does The Claytor Lake Aquatic Restoration Plan do?
It is a proposal to slow the filling-in process by building an island and wetland area
in the heavily impacted areas of the lake and using natural and man-made sediment-
catching systems up river.
Will it work?
Nothing will completely stop the filling-in process, but the project will help to control
it, slow it down, and extend the life of Claytor Lake.
Surely it’s not free...
No it’s not. But we are fortunate in that The Army Corps of Engineers is very interested
in this project and has money allocated to move it forward.
So why not just let the federal government take care of it?
It doesn’t work that way. The federal government carries a big part of the responsibility
of this project, heads it up, and provides most of the funding--and we are grateful for
that. But all projects of this sort are taken on in partnership with those who benefit
from the project. Therefore local organizations including state and county government
and Appalachian Power will play a part in this project. FOCL is also a partner in the
project.
So what’s the cost?
The estimated cost breakdown is as follows:
How much longer life will the plan give Claytor Lake?
That can only be estimated. An additional 100 years has been speculated.
And then what?
The stakeholders of Claytor Lake at that time will have to examine their options.
And hopefully the example we set for future Stakeholders and future Friends of
Claytor Lake will be a good one to follow.
2. Independence Day Boat Parade
Don’t forget about the Second Annual Independence Day Boat Parade!
From the 2004 Independence Day Boat Parade.
Here’s the information you’ll need to join in on the fun:
The Independence Day Boat Parade Takes Place:
•When: July 3rd, 2005 at 2:00pm
•Where: Claytor Lake State Park
Email Registration for the Boat Parade Takes Place:
•When: Now through July 1st.
•Where (email online at): info@focl.org
•Please send: your name, the name of your boat, and the age of your boat
(must be confirmed with your boat registration on July 3rd, on-site)
or you can register on-site on July 3rd:
•When: 10:00am to 1:00pm
•Where: Claytor Lake State Park (near the State Park Launch Ramp)
Winning boats will be selected from the following categories:
•Most Patriotic Boat
•Oldest Boat
•Most Creative Boat
•Best Decorated Boat
•Tackiest Boat
•Judge’s Choice
Thanks to Jeff Arnold for 2004 Boat Parade photos.
