Newsletter articles

By Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District - September 2020

Agricultural conservation funding from the Commonwealth for Culpeper Soil and Water was three times the normal rate this past year and all of that funding was allocated to conservation projects, including many in Orange County and the Upper York project area.

Wildlflower Meadow Buffers Along the Waterfront

This was a remarkable achievement by conservation district staff and includes many stream fencing projects and cover crops.  Septic system pump-out and repair funding remains available in the Upper York watershed.  This program activity in the Upper York (Orange County only at this time) is also at an all-time high and another grant for this will commence later this year.  This new grant will still be for Orange County and will include Gold Mine Creek in Louisa County. Anyone interested in septic program cost share at this time in the Upper York watershed in Orange County should contact Henny at 540-948-7531.  Further information on the new grant will be forthcoming later.

The Culpeper District continues to have vouchers to cover the cost of having your residential lawn soil tested for lime and fertilizer needs by the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Lab (Orange County only).  The District aims to educate homeowners on the proper use of lawn fertilizer and soil testing as the scientific basis for fertilizer applications.  The goal is to reduce excess fertilizer use and untimely fertilizer use, both which typically result in fertilizer runoff into Lake Anna.  More information is available from Stephanied@culpeperswcd.org.  Soil testing for lime and fertilizer can help reduce water quality problems in the Lake.

Further, Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has a nutrient management program that establishes official agreements with lawn care companies that maintain that the company will only apply fertilizer based on soil test results.  Lake Anna Civic Association has a list of local companies that provide lawn care services around the Lake and at this time, to the best of our knowledge, none of them are party to such an agreement with the DCR.  Residents, as consumers of these services, could encourage their contractor to establish such an agreement.  This would be a “Lake Friendly” action all could undertake.  For more information on the program: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/wqagree#water-quality-companies.  This applies to all of Lake Anna properties.

Currently, one of the “Lake Friendly” LACA recommendations is to maintain a buffer between your lawn and the lake shoreline. Below is a example of planting a buffer at the shoreline.

The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) has specifications and funding to help establish a perennial buffer in the shore area.  More information is available at https://vaswcd.org/vcap and from richardj@culpeperswcd.org.

By LACA Water Quality Committee and Virginia Tech Schmale Lab - September 2020

LACA has a fantastic academic partnership with Dr. David Schmale and members of his Schmale Lab team at Virginia Tech (https://www.schmalelab.spes.vt.edu/) that is adding significantly to our understanding of the Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) issues we have experienced the past three recreational seasons (2018, 2019 and 2020).  The Water Quality Committee is working with The Schmale Lab, part of the Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, to collect cyanobacteria data that will add to our growing database of information about the extent and make-up of the algae blooms here at Lake Anna.  The Schmale Lab researchers utilize drones to further their understanding of why HABs are forming on the lake.  The research at Lake Anna is part of a broader research effort conducted by the Schmale Lab to understand water quality in freshwater lakes, HABs and the long-distance transport of microorganisms in the atmosphere.

Members of the Schmale Lab continued their work with drones to collect water samples at Lake Anna this past June and July.  The work this year is a continuation of the 120 drone water samples the Schmale Lab collected and analyzed from Lake Anna during the summer of 2019.

These 120 samples were collected using a unique 3D-printed sampling device attached to the drone.  Operations in 2019 spanned the upper portions of the lake as well as mid-lake and lower lake sites near the Waste Heat Treatment Facility.  Samples were analyzed for cyanotoxins, phycocyanin (a pigment used to estimate the presence of cyanobacteria), and nutrient levels.

Recent sampling efforts by the Schmale Lab team focused on land-based operations on the northern branches of Lake Anna.  Water samples were collected near the shoreline and along transects extending 100 meters from the shore.  Ground-based instruments were also deployed at these sites to capture potential cyanobacteria and toxins in the air, and wind profiles were estimated with drones up to about 80 meters above ground level.  We appreciate the assistance of all the Lake Anna homeowners that allowed the Virginia Tech researchers access to their land to conduct these collections.

The Schmale Lab partnership with LACA also includes major support of our own internal algae monitoring program that was started in May 2020.  Members of the LACA Water Quality Committee collect samples every week at stations across the lake.  LACA identified 28 primary stations for monitoring this year and we sample about a third of them each week.  Water samples are collected for analysis by LACA using new instruments purchased in the spring that allow us to generate estimates of the relative quantities of cyanobacteria in the water as well as the amount of two types of toxins that may be present in samples that indicate a high level of cyanobacteria.  In addition to the analysis conducted by LACA, a part of each sample collected by LACA is saved and frozen for analysis at the Schmale Lab.  We also share all our data with Virginia Tech and with the interested HAB stakeholders like the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).  Maps and data plots of our algae analysis are available on the LACA website under the Water Quality Data page (https://laca.wildapricot.org/Water-Quality-Data).  All of this work is adding extensively to our understanding of the problem and provides a science and analysis-based foundation to the actions we take to counter the HAB issues.

Work conducted by the Schmale Lab at Lake Anna is supported by grants from Virginia Tech and the National Robotics Initiative in the Division of Information and Intelligent Systems of the National Science Foundation.

Authors:  Regina Hanlon, Javier Gonzalez-Rocha, Hope Gruszewski, and David Schmale, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061 and Harry Looney, LACA Water Quality Project Officer.

By Greg Baker - August 2020

LACA Board Election Results

I am happy to announce that Sue Biondi our Secretary, Joe Bailey our Vice President, Scott Webster our Assistant Treasurer and Dick Shrum the Region 2 Cuckoo Regional Director all won reelection.

We would like to welcome to the board, Pamela Hahn, the new Regional Director for Regions 3/4 representing the Mineral/Louisa Districts and Rick Nehrboss, the new Regional Director for Region 6 representing the Brokenburg District.

For the first time in LACA’s history, we conducted our annual elections via electronic ballot. The number of ballots cast in 2020 increased over the number cast in 2019. We also returned to the approach where our regional directors are elected by their constituents. The electronic election process saved LACA over $400 in postage and mailings costs and these funds will be put to much better use.  Thank you to all of our members that made the effort to express your voice by voting in this election.

The LACA board would also like to thank Mike Rigdon and Patty Shapiro for their service to LACA as Regional Directors. Patty has resigned from the board after over a decade of service and Mike will continue as our Chairman of the Environmental Preservation Committee.

Orange County Resort

Jeffrey and Donna Hayden are requesting approval for a Special Use Permit in Orange and Spotsylvania County to build a “exclusive resort development for the use of the growing Motorcoach industry.” The proposal potentially includes 250 permanent sites along with amenities such as a private marina with a boat ramp, boat storage, fuel sales and restrooms. It may include a clubhouse with a fitness center, meeting space, pool, a camp store, trails, tennis and basketball facilities. The application mentions building 250 boat slips. 

The following is a picture of the proposed location on the lake. The lot owned by the Haydens is outlined in blue, the green diagonal line is the Orange/Spotsylvania County Line.

The following is the design submitted to Orange County for the resort.

LACA’s land use committee will continue to monitor this application and report back to our membership. Our biggest initial concern is related to how wastewater will be handled. This area of the lake is one of the worst impacted by Harmful Algae Blooms and LACA is concerned with any additional external nutrient loading to the lake.

LAAC Phase 1 HAB Study Approved

LACA is happy to report that the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) has approved Phase 1 of a robust watershed study on Lake Anna. This first phase will cover an area of approximately 1000 acres from Holladay Bridge (Route 719) west to the headwaters of Gold Mine Creek and North Anna River.  LAAC is in the process of preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) with help from Louisa County for Phase 1.

The phase 1 study will include an in-depth look of the total watershed that feeds the waters of Lake Anna. It will include both an analysis of the sediment in the lake as well as the depth of the sediment. The RFP is requesting an analysis of the lake bottom contours and a study of the biomass (both fish and plant life) in the lake. Most importantly it will focus on the water quality of the lake and the current internal and external nutrient loadings that feed harmful algae blooms. (HAB)

Assuming Phase 1 is funded and completed, Phase 2 will expand the study from Holladay Bridge down to the splits and back up to the headwaters of Pamunkey Creek and Terry’s Run. The goal of Phase 1 and 2 is to determine what is causing and what is the recommended treatment to eradicate HABs and the corresponding no-swim advisories from Lake Anna.

Phase 3 is the treatment plan based on the findings from Phase 1 and 2. This 3-part plan is our best effort to date by the Lake Anna community to address the causes and ultimately a permanent solution to this problem. As this plan progresses, funding of Phase 2 and 3 will be the biggest impediment to getting a solution for our HAB problem. More to follow…

Hydrilla Treatment Plan Approved

Hydrilla, which is a highly invasive species has been found again in Freshwater Cove. The Lake Anna Advisory Committee has approved a treatment plan slated for later this month. The plan when implemented will provide navigational relief for the residents of this cove. Below is a picture of the hydrilla immediately below the surface in the cove that will be treated.

By Zachary Morrow - August 2020

“What in the world?!” Similar to that of other first-time observers of the mysterious object pictured below, this was our reaction as we inspected the yellow-brown sphere just off our dock in Sunset Cove (North Anna River up-lake portion).

On Saturday morning, June 13, my wife Carmen pointed out something at the foot of our family’s dock ladder, just beneath the water’s surface. While I initially surmised the 4-inch mass to be some sort of egg deposit like that of a bullfrog, it looked more like a sponge and didn’t jiggle with the motion of passing wake. Since my phone had a (hopefully) waterproof case, I dunked it beneath the surface to take some pictures, which revealed the presence of another, similarly-sized object at the other end of the rung. After reviewing the pictures and executing a quick web search, Carmen identified the objects as bryozoan pods, which are colonies of multiple bryozoans of the same species.

Also referred to as “moss animals”, phylum Bryozoa comprises over 5,000 species of aquatic invertebrate filter feeders which inhabit marine, freshwater, and brackish environments. With the exception of one genus, all bryozoans are colonial. Somewhat analogous to how coral is a colony of individual polyps, a bryozoan pod is a colony of constituent zooid clones; the colony members cannot survive independently. While individual zooids grow to a size of about 0.5 millimeters (mm), or 0.02 inches, colonies have been observed at sizes up to a few feet in length.

Bryozoans can be a normal component of freshwater food webs; since they have natural prey and predators, their presence in a balanced, healthy ecosystem should not be cause for alarm. Predators of freshwater bryozoans include snails, insects, and fish. Bryozoans are known to feed on various microorganisms, like green algae, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and other bacteria. Zooids responsible for feeding the colony strain their food from the water with their “crowns” of hollow tentacles.

Sighting the unusual creatures was an adventure in and of itself. As a Lake Anna community member who has a science background, I was even more intrigued to learn that some bryozoans are predators to blue-green algae and other bacteria. Such algae and bacteria have been a focal point of the LACA Water Quality Committee’s monitoring program. I am initially interested in bryozoans’ utility as a bioindicator whose presence might provide insight about the balance or health of the lake’s ecosystem.

Bryozoan pods similar to the ones we saw in Lake Anna have also been observed elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic region in Newport News, Virginia and Delaware. Online resources indicate that bryozoan pods do not pose a threat to human health and the environment under normal circumstances and that they should be left undisturbed when encountered. The pods we observed detached from the dock ladder and disappeared into the lake before the end of that same Saturday.

References:

Wikipedia contributors, "Bryozoa," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bryozoa&oldid=967216405 (accessed July 20, 2020).

Koth, William, “Delaware’s Most Famous Freshwater Bryozoan,” WMAP Blog,  The Official Blog of the Wetland Monitoring & Assessment Program, https://wmap.blogs.delaware.gov/2018/12/01/delawares-most-famous-freshwater-bryozoan/ (accessed July 20, 2020).

By Irene Luck - August 2020

As we begin the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Lake Anna Civic Association is embarking on a push to increase our membership to 1,000 households.  How do we plan to do that?  In the next few months the Membership and Marketing Committee will roll out its strategy for increasing the membership with incentives for our current members who encourage friends and neighbors to join.  Those details will be laid out in the next few months but we realize that the best and most efficient way to get a new member is for a current member to ask them to join.  You, the member, have the history and experience of how a LACA membership has benefited you and are our best promotional tool.

But, what exactly do you get for your annual membership?  LACA strives to keep you informed on what is happening within the lake community, including notifications that impact your enjoyment of the lake, such as swim advisories due to Harmful Algae Blooms. 

On July 22 the Virginia Health Department issued the first such advisory for 2020 and LACA sent an email to its members as well as posted the information on its website (www.lakeannavirginia.org) and its Facebook page (Lake Anna Civic Association).

You also get occasional emails (e-grams) on items such as important meetings impacting the lake, a monthly digital newsletter thanks to our newly updated website, the ability to pay for memberships online as well as order dock signs through the website and an easier way to contact your Regional Director or other member of the board.

The best thing about a LACA membership is that it is fairly inexpensive.  A household membership is $15 a year – less than a week’s worth of Starbucks coffee – with discounts for longer terms -- $28 for two years and $40 for three years.

If you know of someone who is not a member or someone who is new to your subdivision, consider downloading the application for them or encouraging them to visit our website and join through there.

Have other questions or want someone to visit your association meetings to explain what LACA does more thoroughly?  Email us at webmaster@lakeannavirginia.org or through your regional director whose contact information is found on the website.

Be on the lookout over the next couple of months for our Drive to 1,000 Membership Campaign contest – you could be eligible for a great prize from LACA for helping us reach more people.

By Al Bennett - August 2020

Beginning this 1 July, fuel tax in Virginia increased to 21.2¢ per gallon.  The good news for us boaters is that the tax we pay on the fuel we use in our boats is refundable from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  At first read, 21.2¢ per gallon does not seem to be that much; however, it amounts to $21.20 for every 100 gallons purchased.

Another good news item is that the process for obtaining a refund is very simple and honor system based.  The one item you do need is a receipt for each fuel purchase and the receipt should contain the following information:

• Exact date of purchase, which cannot exceed 12 months from the date DMV receives the application for refund
• Seller's name and Virginia location address from which the fuel was purchased
• Number of gallons of fuel purchased (each purchase must be for 5 gallons or more)
• Type of fuel purchased, and
• Amount paid for fuel.

The receipts are to be kept for your records and they do not need to be submitted to the DMV.

To apply for a refund online, go to: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/dmv-fueltax/#/ The first time you go to this site you will be asked to establish an account. For subsequent visits, you will log into your account and just provide requested information - calendar period of your receipts, total number of gallons purchased, and your boat registration number (e.g. VA 9402 BH).

You can also submit a paper application to obtain a fuel tax refund.  The application can be obtained from: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/ts217.pdf. 

You may complete the application online or offline and then mail it to the address specified.

The two above website links have been added to the LACA website (lakeannavirginia.org).  You can find the links under “About the Lake” and then “Lake Links”. 

By Mike Rigdon - July 2020

Much has been written over the last year or so about the appearance of blue-green algae in the waters of Lake Anna.  What it all boils down to in the eyes of this author is the presence of nutrients in the water that the algae feed on: specifically phosphorous and nitrogen.  The same stuff you put on your yard to make the green grass grow.  What other sources other than rain water runoff from your yard are there?  Failed/overloaded septic systems and agricultural operations round out the list.

Of these two nutrients, one is more of a problem than the other.  Nitrogen is eventually converted to a gas by biological processes and is released into the atmosphere.  Phosphorous on the other hand is persistent.  Soluble phosphorous compounds are carried into the lake by flowing water along with nitrates and sediment.  Once in the lake, phosphorous feeds aquatic life, including algae, before it is released to settle on the lake bottom.  Thus, there are two sources of phosphorous available to feed algae: that which comes in constantly with flowing water and that resident in the lake bottom sediment.

The focus of this article is on the phosphorous that arrives in Lake Anna via the tributaries that supply runoff water from the land at the upper reaches of the lake.  The Soil and Water Control Districts (SWCDs) have programs to do things like fence livestock out of the streams and plant vegetative buffers along the stream banks.  Such efforts are effective but they are voluntary.  Consequently not all land owners choose to participate and there are many miles of stream banks that are not in the SWCD program.  The establishment of wetlands is another mechanism to reduce the flow of nutrients that doesn’t rely on the cooperation of a host of landowners.

Luck Stone Constructed Wetland in New Kent County, Virginia Soon After It was Established.

A well designed wetland disperses the flow of incoming water over a large enough area to slow the flow rate and let entrained sediment settle out.  The plants and trees in the wetland then serve to take up the nitrogen and phosphorous as they grow thus keeping much of it from reaching the lake.

With that in mind, LACA has submitted a request to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for a Planning &Technical Assessment grant to study the feasibility of creating and/or restoring wetlands on the tributaries that bring water and nutrients to the upper end of Lake Anna.  Our proposal was submitted on April 27 and we should learn the results sometime in August if they aren’t delayed by Covid-19.  The end goal is to eventually have wetlands in places like those created by Luck Stone in New Kent County and pictured above and below. 

The catch is it will take time measured in years and they will be expensive.  But once in place, they are low maintenance, effective and long lasting.

Luck Stone New Kent County Constructed Wetland September, 2019. (Photographs courtesy of Mark Williams, Luck Companies)

By Allan Lassiter - July 2020

First discussed at a Board of Supervisors meeting on May 18, the County is looking to acquire and upgrade the Lake Anna Environmental Services (LAES) waste treatment plant (WTP).  

The plant currently serves Lake Anna Plaza commercial establishments and the 46 nearby townhomes and is located at the 90 degree turn near the end of Lake Front Drive.  “This presents an opportunity to ensure the water quality of Lake Anna”, Supervisor Duane Adams said.

The facility began in 2002 to serve a campground on the property.  Enlarged to serve the growing area, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permits were re-issued in 2007 and 2012.  The 2012 permit has not been renewed (each lasts 5 years) since 2017 and is being administratively continued by DEQ.

Interestingly, the 2012-2017 permit has a design capacity of 20,000 gallons per day (20k) but has another “flow tier” of 99,000 gallons per day (99k) if there is no increase in Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (Ph).  That is, if the limit for N was 25 mg/liter (as an example) at 20k, it couldn’t exceed 5 mg/liter up to the 99k limit. Similarly, Ph at 5mg/liter (example) at 20k could not exceed 1mg/liter up to 99k.  Those reductions would help stabilize the flow of these nutrients going into Lake Anna, especially important given our HAB issues.  In order to meet these requirements, the current lagoon system would have to be replaced with an advanced treatment system.  The cost could approach $5 million.

One of the prime drivers for the County’s interest is the Lake Anna Resort (LAR) across Rt.208 from Lake Anna Plaza.  LAR is already approved for a huge mass drain field which could be eliminated with this action and the estimated 60k it would generate would be sent to the new plant.  LAR would have to pay a capital contribution before construction and the County wants a commitment from LAR that the project will move forward.  Over time, the facility could stimulate development along Route 208 which could call for an expansion of the plant.

Officials also stressed that there could be an opportunity to safely re-use the output of the plant such that it would not all flow into Lake Anna.  At another Louisa facility, the Zion Crossroads WTP outflow is used to irrigate the Spring Creek Golf Course.  Irrigating Cutalong Golf Course with the LAES outflow could be a possibility.

Recently, County Supervisor Duane Adams has held 2 Constituents Meetings to inform residents of the County’s plan for LAES.

At the first meeting on June 13 at Windward Cove (close neighbors to the LAES system), County officials stressed:

• tax revenue on LAR could approach $475,000 per year and help pay for the plant, which is estimated to cost $5million
  
• residents, while wary of the whole system and possible increase in odor and flies, are pleased that pollutants won’t exceed the levels allowed at 20,000 GPD when going up to 99,000 GPD level
  
• officials say that the financial contribution from LAR (amount not specified) would have to be in-hand before any construction begins
  
• officials also think that Phase 1 of LAR and the completion of the plant may be achieved by 2023.
  

At the second meeting held on June 20 at a nearby event venue, County officials stressed:

• essentially the same ideas as above plus some new items
  
• the adjacent townhome POA was planning to take over the WTP but paused its efforts once it heard of Louisa’s interest
  
• those attending favored Louisa takeover even if LAR doesn’t materialize; operation by the Louisa County Water Authority would greatly improve operations and purchase price would be minimal
  
• the upgraded plant would likely fit on the property currently owned by LAES
  
• re-use of the effluent could be done initially or added later

The Lake Anna Civic Association will be discussing this project at upcoming Board Meetings.  If you would like to express your opinion to the LACA Board please email: LAES.Opinion@lakeannavirginia.org

By Greg Baker - July 2020

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors has approved $800,000 in the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for construction of the New Bridge Rescue Station at the County-owned BarkPark location (1856 New Bridge Road) on Route 208 near Lake Anna.  The expressed understanding is that the first $100,000 as “seed money” would be raised from the local community before budget funds would be appropriated.

How can you help now?

Here are several ways to donate. Any amount is greatly appreciated and will bring us closer to making the New Bridge Rescue Station a reality.

Send a check to:

Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services
P.O. Box 1021
Louisa, VA 23093

Via PayPal:

Paypal.me/LKAEMS (online via Web)
FLKAEMSaccting@gmail.com (using the PayPal app)

GoFundMe:

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/Emergency-services-for-Lake-Anna

Why are you being asked to donate?

In the past, construction of Fire and/or Rescue EMS stations was funded totally by the citizens of local communities via donations and fundraising events, rather than by Louisa County.  

With this in mind, a non-profit foundation was established, the Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services, and a commitment made for $100,000 of the cost to be raised by citizens and businesses.

This commitment helped to ensure the New Bridge Rescue Station inclusion in the budget.  Recently, County revenue is projected to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result, the New Bridge Rescue Station will be competing with other budgeted capital improvement projects for appropriations.  Now, achieving the donations goal will help to convince the Board of Supervisors to appropriate the funds as soon as revenues become available.  We want to stay at the top of the list by raising the $100,000 “seed money” as quickly as possible!

A map of the proposed New Bridge Rescue Coverage Area

Thank you for your support of the New Bridge Rescue Station! 

Thank you so much for your continued support in making this EMS facility a reality!

Please keep safe and stay well!

Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services
Email: LKAEMS@gmail.com
FaceBook: Residents for 24/7 EMS @ LKA
Web Site: www.NewBridgeRescue.com

By Irene Luck - June 2020

Nothing signals summer like the sound of fireworks exploding in the dark, whether it’s small bursts in your backyard or spectacular pyrotechnics such as the Lake Anna Civic Association’s annual fireworks shoot.

The 23^rd edition of the Lake Anna Fireworks Show is scheduled for Saturday, July 4 beginning at dusk, approximately 9:15 p.m., with a rain date of the following Saturday.

Funded entirely by donations from the community and businesses around the lake, the annual Independence Day celebration draws oohs and aahs from the assembled boats and spectators who have gathered around Dike 2 to enjoy the approximately 30-minute show.

While there is limited visibility and no public access from the land to watch the show, hundreds of boats begin to congregate on both sides of the dike well before dark, socializing with old friends and making new ones as they prepare to celebrate the July 4^th holiday.

The LACA fireworks committee, led by Mike May and shoot coordinator Ken Sadel, along with a core group of volunteers starts preparing for the event about 12 hours earlier on Saturday morning setting up the tubes into which the pyrotechnics are loaded along the dike and then assisting the shooter with loading the fireworks and attaching the firing apparatus.

Should inclement weather be a factor, the committee needs to decide by noon whether to move forward are push the shoot to the next weekend because it takes several hours to load all the explosives and once they are loaded they must be shot.  

Mother Nature has smiled on the event over the years and, despite a few drizzly evenings and a passing thunderstorm or two causing a short delay in the start, the show has gone on.

Zambelli International has provided the fireworks for the show each year and spectators have claimed it to be comparable to shoots in Washington, D.C. and other larger locations.

Guidelines for viewing the shoot are included in the solicitation letters mailed to property owners and businesses around the lake.  Boaters should stay at least 300 feet from the dike to prevent injury or damage from falling embers.  Remember to use proper lights on the boat when anchored.  When returning home after the shoot, use running lights and be cautious about fellow boaters heading home as well.  The lake does get crowded as boats head back uplake and the wakes can be quite large with all the boats leaving at one time.  If you are not in a hurry to get home, enjoy the evening and let some of the traffic disperse before starting back to your dock.

Since the shoot is funded entirely through donations and no LACA money is used, the committee estimates that $30,000 is needed to put on the shoot.  Donations can be mailed to LACA Fireworks, P.O. Box 217, Mineral, VA 23117 or made online here.