I have news on SOME eastern Virginia reservoirs

[Micro]

I have news on the "low water" situations plaguing Chickahominy, Waller Mill, Little Creek, Diascund, Harwood Mills and Lee Hall Reservoirs.  

In this thread...

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1191366225

...I posted an e-mail I sent to Newport News Waterworks, as well as a response from Ms. Levy, who graciously agreed to speak with me about the situation.  I spoke with her today.  The following is what I have learned.

Newport News Waterworks draws all of its drinking water from the Chickahominy Reservoir.  This water is pumped into Lee Hall Reservoir, which is a "holding reservoir."  Since the breach at Walker's Dam no water has been drawn from Chickahominy Reservoir.   Drinking water is now being drawn from several "Terminal Reservoirs."  

These terminal reservoirs include Little Creek, Diascund, Waller Mill, and Harwood Mills.  This is why these terminal reservoirs exist - as back-ups to the main source of water.  

Water is not drawn equally from all of them.  Terminal reservoirs are tapped in order based on elevation.  Up until a few days ago, water was being drawn from Little Creek.  However, Little Creek has been drained to its permissible limit and no more water will be drwn unless it starts filling naturally.  Water will now start being drawn off Diascund.  She didn't say in what order the others fall, but it seems Waller Mill, then Harwood Mills would be next.    

This process will continue until the breach at Walker's Dam has been stabilized.   The stabilization project is currently underway and work is being done 7 days per week.  Essentially, they are building a  temporary dam behind the main dam.  This project was supposed to be completed by the end of October, but due to materials and supply problems, the estimated time for completion is now the end of November.  

Once completed, the water level in Chickahominy Reservoir should stabilize and our water will once again be drawn out of Chickahominy.  Completion of the stabilization project should immediately stabilize Chickahominy Reservoir's water-level at its normal high-tide level, then fill even more with time.   The other reservoirs should also be filled and/or begin to fill again.

The stabilization project is just that, a stabilization.  It is not a permanent fix of the broken dam.  At this time, Newport News is soliciting designs for the dam.  The dam and the boat lock will be replaced, but it is not known now in what manner.  Any scuttlebutt about an "electric lock" or any other design features is only rumor at this time.   Even Newport News does not know at this time what the final design or form will be.  

Because the stabilization project was an amergency response to the breach, Newport News was permitted to immediately begin stabilizing the dam.  However, it is just temporary.  Newport News has MUCH red tape to go through before starting on the permanent dam.  All sorts of regulatory agencies must be consulted and permits obtained - which weren't required for the emergency stabilization project.  

Unfortunately, the permanent dam may be several years off.  

I forgot to ask whether or not the stabilization project will effect the shad run.

Ms. Levy was very helpful.  She was very empathetic to the problems the breach has caused fishermen, boaters and particulary the businesses, such as Ed Allens, that rely on the lock to generate business.  She did make a salient point that while we enjoy the reservoirs they primarly exist to supply us with drinking water.  

She has placed me on a mailing list for regular updates (I don't know how regular).  As I receive them I'll post them here.   I also suggested that they add a page to the Newport News Waterworks Website that provides updates on the situation.

Hope that helps.

[basspro48]

Ahhh, I thought it was mostly due to the lack of rain but now I see the levels are mostly affected by the waterworks drawing water...

Thanks for posting this.

[JCrzy4Bass]

Good post Micro, even though I'm not from the area I'm sure alot of us were unaware of exactly how this process worked.  Now we can understand these breaches and droughts a little bit better as we have an example to compare it too.  Makes me want to go out and learn exactly how the Occoquan Reservoir operates and the other lakes from the Northern Virginia area.  To me that stuff is complicated, and I know a bunch of guys up here get the river confused with the reservoir and such.

[slomoe]

Good post Micro, even though I'm not from the area I'm sure alot of us were unaware of exactly how this process worked. Now we can understand these breaches and droughts a little bit better as we have an example to compare it too. Makes me want to go out and learn exactly how the Occoquan Reservoir operates and the other lakes from the Northern Virginia area. To me that stuff is complicated, and I know a bunch of guys up here get the river confused with the reservoir and such.

What happens J is that water from Bull Run and treated waste water from the UOSA Runs into the Occoquan Res Where Fairfax County pulls its drinking water. At times the water discharged from UOSA contributes 10% to the Occoquan, and at times of drought upto 90%. Kinda weird knowing that your drinking water comes from treated waste water, but according to reports the water discharged from UOSA is cleaner than the water tested in the Bull Run prior to meeting the UOSA runoff.

[Micro]

I went by Little Creek res today. It's about 11 feet low, now.  It's so low that the bottom of the 10' water level ruler by the dam isn't even in the water any more.   The lake is closed to boats and the side of the park where the launch ramp and concession stand is is closed due to low water levels.   You can't even drive back there.  

[Sam]

Thanks for the information.

I wonder what other terminal reservoirs exist in the state?

Please keep us posted.