Newsletter articles

By Harry Looney – February 2025

Dear LACA Members,

The Virginia House and Senate have included key funding items for Lake Anna in their respective budget amendments, but we need your help to ensure they make it through the final budget process! The House and Senate budget bills are currently being reconciled in the Budget Conference session. This process only lasts a few days so we must act quickly to be sure our voices are heard.

We are asking all LACA members to send emails to their legislators and the budget conferees urging them to support funding for Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) mitigation, DEQ HAB monitoring, and the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) buoy maintenance and Hydrilla management request.

Key Funding Items:

1.  HAB Mitigation Funding

o    House: $500K in FY26 (Item 359#1h in HB1600) – Total: $1MM over two years

·       LACA supports this budget amendment due to the larger funding total over the two year budget cycle.

o    Senate: $250K additional in FY25 (Item 359#2s in SB800) – Total: $750K over two years

2.  DEQ HAB Monitoring

o    Only included in the Senate budget (Item 363#1s – $250K to DEQ)

3.  LAAC Buoy & Hydrilla Control

o    Only included in the House budget (Item 359#6h – $33K)

How You Can Help:

• Email your Delegate and Senator urging them to support these budget amendments. You can identify your Delegate and Senator at this link.
• Email the budget conferees to request inclusion of these critical funding items in the final budget. The budget conferees were announced late yesterday. The conferees include the elected officials listed below:
• • House: Delegates Torian, Sickles, Bulova, Carr, Austin, and Bloxom
  • Senate: Senators Lucas, Deeds, Locke, McDougle, and Pillion

We’ve made it easy for you! Below is a template letter you can personalize and send. You can also click on this link to open an email that includes the email addresses of the budget conferees and the template. Please take a few moments to reach out – your voice makes a difference!

Template Letter to Budget Conferees

Subject: Budget Amendments to Fund HAB Monitoring and Mitigation, Lake Anna Buoy Maintenance, and Invasive Species Management/Control

Honorable Members of the Joint Conference Committee on the Budget Bills

I am a resident of [Your Locality] and a member of the Lake Anna Civic Association. I am writing to urge your support on budget amendments to fund Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) mitigation at Lake Anna, HAB monitoring by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), buoy maintenance at Lake Anna, and Hydrilla control by the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC).

Lake Anna is a vital economic and recreational resource for our region, but it continues to face challenges from harmful algae blooms (HABs), invasive species, and water quality concerns. To address these issues, we request your support to fund the following budget items:

1.  HAB Mitigation Funding: We strongly encourage you to support item 359#1h of HB1600 that adds $500,000 to the second year of the FY25-26 budget. The $500,000 included in this budget item will support the continuation of HAB mitigation efforts initiated in 2024.

Continued HAB mitigation efforts at Lake Anna will take 5-10 more years of work and funding. The community is actively pursuing other funding opportunities for this effort, as the total cost of HAB mitigation at Lake Anna is estimated to be approximately $18,000,000.

The budget amendment originally submitted by Delegate Fowler requested $1,000,000. This amount would provide sufficient funding for continued progress on the Lake Anna HAB issue. While the $500,000 will provide sufficient funding to maintain what was started in 2024, it will not allow us to expand our efforts to include all areas impacted by HABs over the past eight years. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to increase the amount of funding in the second year of the FY25-26 budget to $1,000,000.

2.  DEQ HAB Monitoring: We strongly encourage you to support item 363#1s of SB800 that adds $250,000 to the first year of the FY25-26 budget.

It is alarming that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) currently lacks dedicated state funding for freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring and analysis. This budget shortfall significantly hinders DEQ's ability to effectively monitor Virginia's waterways for cyanobacteria, which can produce toxins harmful to humans, pets, and aquatic wildlife. These toxins pose a serious threat to public health and water quality safety. The funding proposed in the Senate budget amendment is crucial to ensure the state has the necessary resources to monitor for potential HABs and conduct thorough analyses to assess the extent of the threat to public health.

3.  LAAC Buoy & Hydrilla Control: We strongly encourage you to support item 359#6h of HB1600 that adds $33,000 to the second year of the FY25-26 budget.

The Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) manages the regulatory buoy maintenance program at Lake Anna. Buoy maintenance costs continue to rise, and additional funding is needed to ensure the regulatory buoys remain in good working order to ensure safe navigation in areas of the lake where hazards such as bridges, submerged rocks and stumps, and shallow areas exist.

The LAAC also manages Lake Anna’s hydrilla control program. Like the buoy issue, treatment costs are increasing and the size and number of hydrilla “watch” areas on the lake are expanding due to environmental conditions that are favorable to the plant’s growth. Hydrilla is an invasive, non-native species that spreads quickly and must be controlled each year to avoid infestations that significantly affect safe use and navigation of the lake. 

These initiatives are critical to protecting the health and safety of the lake, its users, and the surrounding communities. I strongly urge you to support these provisions in the final budget agreement.

Thank you for your time and leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,
NAME

Please send your emails by Wednesday, February 19th to ensure our voices are heard before the conference committee finalizes the budget.

Thank you for your advocacy and commitment to protecting Lake Anna!

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org

By Mark DeBord - February 2025

A riparian buffer is an area adjacent to a stream, lake, or wetland that contains a combination of trees, shrubs, and/or other perennial plants. Riparian buffers are used in a wide variety of settings, often on agricultural land, but can also be used in your own back yard. These buffers can deliver a number of benefits including filtering nutrients, pesticides, and animal waste from land runoff; stabilizing eroding banks; filtering sediment from runoff; providing shade, shelter, and food for fish and other aquatic organisms; providing wildlife habitat and corridors for terrestrial organisms. How riparian buffers actually improve water quality - Friends of the Rappahannock

Over the past two years, LACA has planted approximately 5000 native plants along the shoreline at Lake Anna, through generous grants from Dominion and DuPont. Our focus for this coming year will be identifying landowners in the Lake Anna watershed who would be willing to let us do something similar with riparian buffers. Instead of putting plants along the lake shoreline, where they soak up nutrients in the lake, these buffers would be installed in the areas along the streams that flow into Lake Anna, absorbing the nutrients before they get to the lake.

These buffers range anywhere from 10 to 100 feet from the shoreline. The larger buffers absorb more nutrients and provide better shoreline erosion protection, but most any buffer will provide some benefits.

If you know of watershed landowners who may be interested in this, please contact Lara Weatherholtz or Mark DeBord, co-chairs of LACA’s Environmental Preservation Committee. There’s no cost to the landowner for approved projects. Even if you don’t know of landowners in the watershed but would like some advice on how to create your own buffer on your lakefront property, feel free to reach out to us on that.

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org

By Harry Looney – February 2025

Anyone that uses Lake Anna for recreational purposes knows that the upper parts of the lake have been under recreational advisories issued by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) each year since 2018 due to cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms (cHABs). It is clear from research conducted at Lake Anna over the past six years and more than thirty years of peer reviewed research on cyanobacteria issues around the country and the world, that the primary contributor to cyanobacteria growth is excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen).

The Virginia General Assembly distributed funding in the fiscal year 2024 state budget to start a cHAB mitigation program at Lake Anna. The Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) worked with the Lousia County staff to release a competitive request for proposals to identify companies and technical approaches to reduce excess levels of phosphorus in the three main tributaries of Lake Anna (North Anna River, Pamunkey Creek, and Terry’s Run). The LAAC developed a five-year phosphorus remediation methodology that included a Concept Development phase in year-1 of the effort. The long-term goal of the 5-year LAAC project is to improve water quality in Lake Anna and to reduce excess phosphorus that is the primary source of the cHABs we have been experiencing.

The LAAC received viable technical proposals from two contractors, EutroPHIX, a division of SePRO Corporation, and Clean Streams Rivers and Lakes (CSRL), and both contractors were selected to be part of the Concept Development effort in 2024. The Concept Development phase included phosphorus remediation treatments in the North Anna River and Terry’s Run. Pamunkey Creek was the control area where no treatments were applied.

The EutroPHIX project scope included the application of phosphorus inactivating products both directly to the North Anna tributary of Lake Anna, as well as to the North Anna River upstream of the lake to reduce phosphorus inputs from the watershed.

The CSRL project scope included the application of phosphorus inactivating products to the Terry’s Run tributary of Lake Anna and the use of innovative, beneficial bacteria “bioreactors” to grow and sustain bacteria that compete with the cyanobacteria for nutrients and other sources of energy. The products from both companies have a wide margin of safety for aquatic organisms, fish, birds, mammals, and humans, and the treatments were reviewed and approved by the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Dominion Energy.

 The contracts included an outcome-based measure of performance (MOP). The Phase 1 MOP was a 10% reduction in excess phosphorus as measured at the final sampling of the calendar year. The LAAC monitored the upper lake throughout the year to determine the amount of improvement in water quality and effectiveness of the treatments. In addition, the upper lake continued to be monitored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) and both contractors were required to conduct water quality monitoring as part of their technical approach.

Data from phosphorus samples collected at multiple stations in each tributary show that both contractors exceeded the 10% reduction of excess phosphorus outcome-based MOP. Phosphorus data from sampling conducted at three stations on Pamunkey Creek (the control area for the Concept Development phase) also showed reductions of excess phosphorus levels.

The reductions that were achieved provide evidence that the technical approaches used by the two contractors will result in the reduction of excess phosphorus in Lake Anna, but more work is required to fully understand the data. We will continue to review the data to determine the effect that environmental conditions such as the drought the area experienced in the summer of 2024 might have had on the phosphorus reductions we measured. In addition, the LAAC is developing plans for what can be conducted in 2025 with the funding we have available. That plan will be presented to the Committee at the LAAC meeting in March 2025.

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org

By Joe Bailey – February 2025

If you are like me, you sometimes lose faith in the ability of federal, state and local government agencies and organizations to collaborate in meaningful ways to make measurable improvements to things that really matter.  I’m writing this article to let you know that it actually does happen!

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) and the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC), Old Dominion University (ODU) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), is actively investigating the causes and dynamics of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Anna, Virginia. Since 2018, Lake Anna has experienced recurring HABs during the mid-summer months, leading to advisories from the Virginia Department of Health that recommend avoiding recreational activities in affected areas.

The joint study focuses on continuous and discrete monitoring of hydrology, water quality, and weather conditions in two tributaries and various locations along Lake Anna. By analyzing these factors, researchers aim to understand the initiation, persistence, and decline of HABs. The objectives include identifying the primary sources contributing to HAB formation and developing predictive tools for early detection.

This collaborative effort seeks to enhance water quality management strategies for Lake Anna, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of this popular recreational destination.

The success of these monitoring efforts often relies on the cooperation of local residents and community organizations. LACA, for instance, has a history of collaborating with governmental agencies to monitor and maintain the lake's water quality. Their involvement includes facilitating access to various parts of the lake for data collection purposes. For this project, three LACA members provided continuous access to their docks for an 18-month period.  Such partnerships are crucial for comprehensive environmental monitoring and the development of effective water quality management strategies. These monitoring stations are strategically placed to collect data that aids in understanding and managing the water quality of Lake Anna.

LACA continues to play a pivotal role in monitoring and preserving the water quality of Lake Anna. Established in 2002, LACA's Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program collaborates with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to assess various parameters, including E.coli bacteria levels, acidity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and water clarity. Monitoring is conducted at over 30 sites under a Memorandum of Agreement with DEQ.

LACA's extensive data collection and analysis support the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and DEQ in their studies to understand the drivers of HABs in Lake Anna. This collaborative approach enhances water quality management strategies, ensuring the lake remains a safe and enjoyable resource for all.

As the extensive amount of data collected is analyzed in the coming months, the findings will be instrumental in identifying patterns and potential causes of HABs, thereby aiding in the development of effective mitigation strategies. The USGS, DEQ and LACA continue to analyze this data to enhance water quality management and ensure the safety of Lake Anna's recreational waters.

Seeing federal, state and local agencies and organizations working so closely together toward a common goal that is important to me has renewed my faith in the power of collaboration.

joe.bailey@lakeannavirginia.org

By Greg Baker – December 2024

We are all fortunate to live and or recreate at beautiful Lake Anna. Sometimes what was meant to be a wonderful day at the lake takes a turn for the worst and we want and need our Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) there to help. CPOs or what other states call Game Wardens are no different than any other police officer in the state and are fully certified through the Department of Criminal Justice Services. This gives them the right to enforce all Commonwealth laws. You might be annoyed (I hope not!) when they check your fishing license or check to see if you have the right number of life jackets on board, but I can assure you in an emergency, an arriving CPO is a huge relief.

One of the things we found in LACA’s biennial survey is that our members want more of a presence from our CPOs on Lake Anna. Certainly, on busy holiday weekends we see the police out in force throughout the lake. On a normal weekend, the police are far more scarce and during the week or in other times of the year, we might rarely see an officer. The reason? It all comes down to funding. As a side note, CPOs are not the only folks that patrol Lake Anna, we are fortunate to have officers from both Spotsylvania and Louisa County’s Sheriff’s Department also patrolling the lake.

 The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is authorized for approximately 182 CPOs for the entire state. That works out to about two CPOs per county. Currently, there are only 160-170 of those positions filled. You can imagine how hard it is for the department to manage their resources and provide coverage to Lake Anna, with such a small force. To make matters worse, CPOs often make less than their counterparts in other policing organizations.

Graduates of the 13^th Academy Class of CPOs, August 29, 2024

The DWR CPOs are the only statewide policing organization that does not receive any funding directly from the Commonwealth. DWR funding comes from fishing and hunting license sales, watercraft registrations, federal dollars derived from outdoor expenditures, sales and use tax on watercraft sales and finally a portion of sales tax related to wildlife equipment sales. That would be awesome if DWR received all these funds, but they don’t.

The General Assembly passed House Bill 38 back in 1998 which authorized DWR to receive sales tax on sales of wildlife equipment, things like fishing poles and guns. HB38 capped the annual amount to $13 million dollars. Unfortunately, that cap has not changed in almost 25 years. Because of inflation, a dollar in 1998 would need to be $1.83 today to have the same value. The General Assembly should increase this cap to $23 million just to keep up with inflation.

To make matters worse, the state has only appropriated the full $13 million only once in the last 15 years. The average appropriation for the past seven years has been just over $11.3 million per year. The same goes for sales tax on watercraft. Every year, the state has appropriated less than the amount collected in watercraft tax. Over the past 7 years, Virginia has collected approximately $7.9 million per year in watercraft sales tax and passed on roughly $5.6 million to DWR.

If the state just appropriated 100% of the amounts promised, that would work out to approximately $4 million per year in additional funding. Even if the state does not raise the cap on Wildlife Equipment Tax, that makes a huge difference. That may not sound like a lot in days of multibillion-dollar state budgets, but it would make a significant impact to DWR ability to provide increased CPO coverage at Lake Anna. Don’t get me wrong, we think the state should do both: Adjust the cap for inflation and appropriate 100% of what was promised.

What can we do? Join LACA! One of Lake Anna Civic Association’s mandate is to promote safety on Lake Anna. We are working hard to speak with our local legislators to provide funding for Lake Anna. When we speak to a legislator it makes a difference if we can explain that LACA represents over 1000 property owners at Lake Anna. If you are not yet a member, please join us at www.lakeannavirginia.org  Secondly, write your state delegate or your state senator and ask them to support DWR CPOs by fully funding the Authorized Watercraft and Wildlife Equipment Tax. You can find your state delegate at https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov Finally, please show your support for our CPOs and other officers on Lake Anna by giving them a friendly wave when you see them out on the water. Remember, they would rather be out on a boat with their friends and family on a holiday weekend than pulling a double shift making us safe.

President LACA

greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org

By John Wayne – December 2024

Cutalong continues to move forward with the creation of a master planned resort community with hundreds of homes, an 18-hole championship golf course and practice facilities, tennis and pickle ball courts, an aquatic facility, access to Lake Anna via community docks, beach, and other amenities. The developer, Reef Capital Partners, and their local team led by Joe Walsh, have been responsive to many of the concerns raised by the community.  LACA has worked with this team, representing concerns expressed by our membership to include environmental impacts, impacts on adjacent property owners and users of the lake, overcrowding of waterways, roads and traffic concerns, and others.

Much work has been completed within Cutalong over the past year creating the water and wastewater infrastructure required for this ambitious development.  Not wanting to go backward in terms of our fight to improve the water quality of Lake Anna, LACA has focused much of the discussion with the Reef team on environmental concerns.  As I am sure you know, development projects of this type have requirements to “offset” any increased nutrient loads (nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.) calculated for the final development state.  These increased loads can be offset by buying “nutrient offset credits”, the results of which can be nutrient reductions in some other locale, even outside of Virginia. 

During our discussions, LACA requested that Reef consider implementing the required “credits” within the Cutalong property, ensuring that the impact of the development does not increase the inflow of these harmful nutrients to Lake Anna.  Further, regarding the implementation of their wastewater treatment facility (WWTF), we asked that Reef consider the creation of wetlands on the property to help with the absorption of even the small amounts of nutrients emanating from that facility. Joe and his team became advocates for the idea, attended a field trip with LACA to an existing man-made wetland in use in Chesterfield, Virginia, and found a way to incorporate this concept into their design. I received the following information from the development team this month.

“In compliance with the DEQ VPDES Permit issued in June 2024, Cutalong has designed and received approval from DEQ for the creation of the required nutrient offset credits, which will be generated 100% onsite at the project’s 1,000 acres and for the benefit of the Lake Anna watershed. The plan provides all required credits needed to construct and operate the second WWTF. That WWTF is currently in design and will be constructed at a future date, as required by development schedules.

Highlights include:

●    75-Acre Conservation Easement:

The 75-acres is primarily south of Contrary Creek, with parcels also on the west end of the Cutalong golf course. This land, previously used for agriculture, has been converted into a perpetual forested state, creating valuable nutrient credits.

●    Stream Restoration:

●    A $1.5 million project to restore 3,000 linear feet of stream channels has commenced. This project will stabilize stream banks and beds, reducing erosion and preventing the release of nitrogen and phosphorus into the watershed. Construction began in November 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by Summer 2025.

●    Wetlands Creation:

½ acre of wetlands which were destroyed during mining activities in the late 1800s when the existing creek was dammed to provide a water source for mining activities, will be restored. This restoration will reconnect the wetlands to the floodplain, providing additional nutrient uptake beyond the permit requirements.”

Joe also reports that building activities are beginning to occur and/or are scheduled for many of the community amenities.

Cutalong Golf Club continues to move forward with exciting developments.

●    The Cutalong Golf Clubhouse is under construction, scheduled opening in Summer 2025. Exterior, interior, and site renderings are available, along with a link to the August 2024 press release for more details.

●    Phase One of Member Amenities will debut in late Fall 2025, featuring temporary docks, a fishing pond, chipping greens, a competitive putting green, a lighted putting green, four pickleball courts, and three miles of hiking trails.

●    The Cutalong Stay & Play Condominiums have been fully designed, and groundbreaking will begin once final site plans and permit approvals are received.

I know from discussions with Joe that the team continues to work with Louisa County officials on updates to the plans.  We expect to see some changes to the types of residential development, as well as other changes once this process is completed. While there is still much to come, Joe and his team have proven to be good partners with LACA in its efforts to keep Lake Anna Clean, Safe and Beautiful.  We look forward to continuing to work with Joe and the other members of the Reef Capital Partners team as this development continues to come to fruition.

LACA Land Use

john.wayne@lakeannavirginia.org

By Sue Biondi – December 2024

The Annual Lake Anna Civic Association meeting took place on July 27 at Callie Opie’s Barn.  As members arrived, they were greeted by the board, including officers, regional directors and committee chairs.  They were treated to coffee, tea and sweets to start the day. 

President Greg Baker welcomed members and called the meeting to order at 9:30 am.  The agenda was distributed to members prior to the meeting.  The guest speaker was Stacy Brown, who is with the Virginia Department of Natural Resources.  She gave a very interesting and informative speech on the Perspective of Boating Safety on Lake Anna.  There was a question-and-answer session after her speech. 

Greg Baker then spoke about current legislation being considered regarding remediation and mitigation of recurring harmful algae blooms.  Minutes from the 2023 Annual Meeting were presented by Secretary Sue Biondi.  Treasurer Willie Kelly then presented the 2023-2024 annual financial report.  Greg presented the new LACA Wake Surfing Policy. 

The following committees presented their annual wrap-up reports:  John Wayne - Land Use; Mo Daniels - Emergency Services and Safety; Dick Hanscom - Water Quality; Mark DeBord - Environmental Preservation; Rick Nehrboss - President’s Council; and Craig DiSesa - Fireworks. 

President Baker then announced the annual Jack Bertron awardee, Harry Looney, Chair of the Water Quality committee.  Harry was not present to receive the award, but it will be delivered on his return.  After time for some questions and answers, the meeting adjourned. 

There was nothing but positive feedback about the venue, the meeting and the efforts of the association to protect the lake and continue to commit to the mission statement, “to preserve and protect the cleanliness, beauty and safe use of Lake Anna and its watershed through communication, advocacy, education and community involvement to benefit the members and all lake users.”  A huge thank you to Mike Kavros, owner of Callie Opie’s, for hosting the meeting. 

sue.biondi@lakeannavirginia.org

By Mark Debord – October 2024

Dominion Energy Virginia is seeking proposals to evaluate the feasibility of developing a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at the North Anna Power Station. SMRs have a smaller footprint than traditional reactors, can be manufactured at off-site facilities and shipped for installation. This makes them less expensive to construct than traditional reactors.  What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)? | IAEA

Dominion announced the Request for Proposals (RFP) at an event on July 10 at the North Anna site. The RFP is not a commitment to build an SMR at North Anna. It is merely a first step in evaluating the technology and the feasibility of a SMR at the North Anna site.

"For over 50 years nuclear power has been the most reliable workhorse of Virginia's electric fleet, generating 40% of our power and with zero carbon emissions," said Robert Blue, chair, president and CEO of Dominion Energy. "As Virginia's need for reliable and clean power grows, SMRs could play a pivotal role in an 'all-of-the-above' approach to our energy future. Along with offshore wind, solar and battery storage, SMRs have the potential to be an important part of Virginia's growing clean energy mix." 

The North Anna site is currently home to two pressurized water reactors, which began commercial operation in 1978 and 1980. Under their current licenses, North Anna units 1 and 2 can continue to operate through 2058 and 2060.

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org

By Sue Biondi – October 2024

No doubt you have heard the expression “they mix like oil and water.”  That expression is used when two things are incompatible.  The expression couldn’t express more the incompatibility of water and electricity.  This article is a must read for all LACA members and all who frequent the lake, whether on or off water. 

On July 4, 2024, at Smith Mountain Lake, an adult male jumped into the water at a private home dock and immediately showed signs of struggling.  His two friends jumped in the water to help him, and immediately felt like they were being shocked.  They managed to pull the victim out of the water and began CPR until medics arrived.  The person succumbed to the event.  Information about this tragedy can be found on You Tube and WJLA ABC7 News. 

There are no visible signs of electricity in the water.  If someone enters electrified water, it can cause paralysis, leading to the inability to swim or tread water.  Electricity passes through the body and may cause instant death.  This is especially hazardous in fresh water (a lake) due to lower water conductivity.  Many drowning deaths are incorrectly classified as a “drowning,” but are electric shock deaths.  A boat lift with faulty wiring that connects to shore power can be a source of electrified water, as well as improperly wired pumps, boats or lighting, improperly grounded wires, or stray current in the ground.  Anything requiring electricity around the water should be installed by a certified electrician. 

Electric service around docks and marinas should include Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) that are compliant with the National Electric Code (NEC) 2011 and Marine Ground Fault Protection Article 555-3.  These GFCIs should be tested at least monthly.  Only use extension cords that are specifically intended for marine use and are in good condition.    NEVER use household cords near water.   Become familiar with the location of power breakers on your dock and in the house so power can be shut off quickly.  If you feel a tingle while swimming, swim away from the dock and do not use a metal ladder to exit the water.  The water should be inspected and tested using a qualified electrician. 

Another hazard to consider is CARBON MONOXIDE (CO).   Poorly tuned boat engines produce CO.  Proper ventilation for engine and generator exhaust vents must be clear and pipes should be inspected for leaks.  Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea or seizures, all like symptoms of seasickness.  Get a person into fresh air and call 911 for assistance.  DO NOT swim near a boat’s exhaust vents.  DO NOT sit on a boat platform while the boat is idling.

This article is intended to promote education and boating safety.  For more information, sources include www.nfpa.org/education and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (703-841-3229.

sue.biondi@lakeannavirginia.org

By Mark Debord – October 2024

Shoreline vegetation is a critical piece of the efforts to limit the runoff of nutrients that lead to Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB). Last year, through a generous grant from DuPont, LACA members and other volunteers planted between 2500-3000 native plants.  Lake Anna Civic Association - Another DuPont Clear Into the Future Grant for LACA (lakeannavirginia.org). LACA received additional grants from DuPont and Dominion Energy that we’ll use to continue and expand that work in 2024.

In addition to the role that shoreline vegetation plays in reducing nutrient uptake in the lake, it is an important part of erosion control, storing carbon, and water purification. It also provides critical habitat for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife at Lake Anna. Understanding Living Shorelines | NOAA Fisheries. 

In March 2023, Dominion Energy established the Lake Anna Reservoir and Waste Heat Treatment Facility (WHTF) Vegetation Management & Herbicide/Pesticide Treatment Policy.  Lake Anna Reservoir and WHTF Vegetation Management & Herbicide/Pesticide Treatment Policy (cdn-dominionenergy-prd-001.azureedge.net).  The purpose of the policy is to protect aquatic vegetation at the lake (note that hydrilla is managed under a separate policy).

Under the policy, landowners should not treat more than what immediately prevents access to swimming areas, boat docks, and the main water body. Before removing any vegetation along the shoreline or in the water, whether with chemicals or physical removal, a landowner must apply to Dominion for prior approval. The application and accompanying instructions are attached to the policy in the link above.

Preventing HABs requires a group effort. Protecting Lake Anna’s shoreline vegetation plays a critical role in that.

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org