By Bill Hariu – February 2026

Everyone loves spending time out on the boat at the lake. But nobody loves being stuck on the side of the road with a blown-out trailer tire on the way to the lake. Just as you maintain your vehicle and boat, checking and maintaining your boat trailer tires is essential.

Ensuring your trailer has the right tires before you hit the water with your boat is essential. This guide explains how to make an informed tire choice Your boat deserves the best, starting with the right trailer tires.

When to Buy Boat Trailer Tires

Unless you’re buying a brand new boat and trailer off the dealer lot, you will likely be in the market for some new boat trailer tires. If you don’t know how old the boat trailer tires are, you can check the DOT code on the side of the tire. 

What Is the Tire Date Code?

The tire date code is a four-digit number found on the sidewall of a tire, immediately following the letters “DOT”. It reveals the week and year your tire was manufactured.

• The first two digits indicate the week of the year (01 to 52).
• The last two digits show the year (e.g., “2519” means the 25th week of 2019).

Knowing how to read this code is essential for tire safety, since age can affect performance, even if the tread still looks fine.

Now that you know how old your boat trailer tires are, you must evaluate their condition.

An easy way to check if you need new tires is by the tread depth. To do this, you can use the Lincoln penny trick. All you do is set the penny, with the head facing down, into one of the grooves in the tire tread. It’s best to pick a couple of spots on the tire. If you can see the top of Abe’s head with the coin in position, it’s time to start looking for new tires.

The other thing to check for is cracks in the tire rubber. Boat trailers usually sit unused for long periods. The tread isn’t wearing out when the trailer is parked, but the rubber degrades due to exposure to UV rays and freezing temperatures.

The rubber dries out, and cracks start to appear. These usually occur in the tire’s bead area close to the rim, but you may also see small cracks between the tread blocks or in the tire grooves. Even some discoloration is usually no cause for concern. Deeper cracks warrant closer inspection by a tire expert.

Valve Stem

Often overlooked, the valve stem may be the cause of continued low psi. Press your finger against one side of the stem and listen for any loss of air.

Can you use regular car tires on a boat trailer?

Using regular passenger car tires on a boat trailer is not advisable. Car tires are not designed to handle the specific requirements of boat trailer towing, which include increased load capacity and resistance to water exposure. Boat trailer tires, marked as “ST” (Special Trailer), are engineered to withstand the challenges of marine environments and ensure safe towing, making them the best choice for your boat trailer.

Five Key Steps for Choosing the Right Boat Trailer Tires

1.   Know Your Boat Trailer’s Weight: Start by determining the weight of your boat and trailer when fully loaded. This information is crucial in selecting tires with the appropriate load-carrying capacity.

2.   Check the Tire Size: Refer to your trailer’s owner’s manual or inspect the existing tires for their size. Ensure you choose tires that match the rim size and meet the manufacturer’s specifications.

3.   Choose Special Trailer (ST) Tires: opt for ST tires explicitly designed for trailers. These tires are constructed to handle heavy loads, resist heat buildup, and provide improved water resistance, making them ideal for marine environments.

4.   Consider the Tread Pattern: Select a tread pattern that suits your towing needs. If you frequently launch your boat on slippery ramps, use tires with a tread design that offers excellent traction on wet surfaces.

5.   Regular Maintenance: Once you’ve chosen the right tires, don’t forget to maintain them properly. Check tire pressure regularly, inspect for signs of wear or damage, and keep them properly inflated to ensure safe towing.

By following these steps, you can make an informed choice when selecting boat trailer tires, ensuring that your trailer is equipped for safe and smooth boating adventures on the water.

What To Buy If You Need New Boat Trailer Tires

Dedicated trailer tires are marked as ST. This will be kept on the tire’s sidewall, along with the size of the tire. The tire may also say, “Trailer use only.” ST tires have stronger sidewalls that allow them to carry a heavier load than standard Passenger car tires or Light Truck tires. There are two kinds of ST tires: bias-ply and radial. Which type of tire you buy will depend on what comes on the trailer, how you use your trailer, and your budget.

In short, bias-ply trailer tires are cheaper and recommended for infrequent short-haul applications, including off-road or heavy loading. If you plan long highway driving trips, consider replacing those bias-ply tires with radial tires. Radial trailer tires are made to run cooler for longer hauls and a longer tread life. Never replace radial tires with bias-ply tires without consulting the trailer manufacturer or a tire professional.

Load Range

Now that you know what kind of tire to buy, you must consider the tire’s size and load capacity. The load range on trailers is classified as B, C, D, or E. B is the lightest classification of load capacity, and  E carries the heaviest load capacity.

Key Takeaways  

• Check the Sidewall: Always read the specific load rating stamped on your tire, as capacities vary slightly by brand

• Pressure is Everything: Reduced PSI lowers load capacity. A 20% drop in PSI can reduce load capacity by 12%.
• Tandem Axles: If you have tandem axles, calculate for a 12% to 20% load reduction, as tires may not share weight perfectly.
• Safety Margin: Ensure your total tire capacity (combined) exceeds the total GVWR (Boat + Motor + Fuel + Trailer + everything you place in your boat) by at least 10-15%. 

Common boat tires are Load Range C (6-ply, ~1,500–1,800 lbs) or D (8-ply, ~2,000+ lbs). Crucially, match the tire’s max PSI (e.g., 50-90 PSI) to its rated 

Proper Use and Care for Your Boat Trailer Tires

Once you have the perfect set of boat trailer tires, keeping a few things in mind is essential. Even though many of us want to reach our destination as fast as possible, boat trailer tires are made not to exceed speeds of 65 mph (100 km/h). Doing so for long periods could lead to tire failure.

 If you are going to be traveling on high-speed highways, you certainly don’t want the weight maxed out.   Avoid loading up the boat with extra weight during transport. Moving heavy cargo from the boat  to the back of the tow vehicle allows your trailer tires to withstand slightly higher speeds for extended periods.

It is also necessary to take proper care of your boat trailer tires during periods of nonuse by protecting them from UV light. There are unique wheel covers. However, a standard tarp or coverage in the garage is equally effective.

The final thing to remember is to rotate and balance your boat trailer tires as you do on your car or truck. Even turning your tires side to side on a single-axle trailer will help even out irregular treadwear and extend the tire’s life.

On a double axle, the standard X rotation is in order occasionally, particularly if you notice that irregular wear patterns are developing in the tread. 

Outside Temperatures:

• Every 10-degree decrease in air temperature leads to 1 psi of air loss. If you’re traveling somewhere that the morning temperature varies greatly from the afternoon temperature, check your air pressure first thing in the morning and again as the temperature increases.

Tires aren't exciting, until something goes wrong. Then, tires become the topic of the day.  In conclusion, take proper precautions and take care of your boat trailer tires.

bill.hariu@lakeannavirginia.org

By Mark DeBord – November 2025

This is  taken largely from an article by Al Bennett that was first published in October 2018 and reprinted in 2023.  It is a seasonal reminder that blowing leaves into the Lake is not a good practice.  As homeowners, it is difficult for us to control the amount of nutrients that enter our lake from upstream sources; however, as residents we can control what enters the lake from our respective properties.

Fall is a beautiful time at Lake Anna. The changing colors create spectacular viewing on the water. But these colorful leaves present a problem. It’s completely natural and inevitable that some falling leaves will end up in the lake. However, we should do our best to not  add to that natural process.

Blowing leaves into the lake is not a good idea. Leaves blown into the lake rarely settle at the shoreline of origin.  They are carried by wind and current to other locations before they reach bottom.  In coves, it is usually the few lots at the back of the cove that receive the leaf debris.  They are unsightly and over time, sedimentation buildup will cause these owners to lose water depth and will leave them with a muck-bottom.

Decaying leaves release nutrients, primarily carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous.  These nutrients are great for soil, but excess nutrients are a pollutant to lakes like ours.  These nutrients, especially phosphorous, are a fertilizer for hydrilla and algae, promoting their growth.  As hydrilla growth spreads, herbicides and/or carp are then needed to control its growth. 

Similarly, excessive nutrient levels can contribute to low dissolved oxygen levels by causing abundant growths of phytoplankton (microscopic plants and algae) called blooms. Living phytoplankton may deplete oxygen levels during the night and as the phytoplankton die, decomposition of the organic material by bacteria consumes oxygen. Depleted oxygen levels is harmful to the fish population.

Let’s all be good neighbors and good stewards of our lake’s ecosystem by not blowing leaves into the lake.  Instead, please consider collecting and finely mulching your leaves. You can spread them across your yard so that their nutrients can be returned to your soil or use them as mulch around your plants, providing additional protection against hard freezes this winter.

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org

By  Gary Cochard – November 2025

By the time you read this article, you will have noticed that the hundreds of hummingbirds (hummers) that visit Lake Anna each summer have long since departed for warmer climes.  Hummers are a family of small, vibrant birds native to the Americas, with unique flying abilities and extremely high metabolisms.  They are the smallest of all birds, and their high-energy lifestyle requires constant feeding and unique adaptations for survival. They are amazing little creatures. The smallest “Bee Hummingbird” of Cuba, is only about 2 inches long and weighs less than a dime. And the largest hummingbird, called the “Giant Hummingbird”, is between 8 and 9 inches long weighing less than an ounce.

Hummers are the only bird that can hover and fly backwards. This is possible as their shoulder joints allow their wings to rotate 180 degrees.  Their wings beat at remarkable speeds from 12 to 80 times per second.  Their tongues are grooved and split at the tip, with tiny hairs that help them lap up nectar by flicking their tongue in and out up to 13 times per second.

Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of any warm-blooded animal, needed to support their active flight.   Each day, they can consume up to double their body weight in food.  To my surprise, a primary food source of hummingbirds is small insects and spiders, needed to get the protein and nutrients they need. Nectar, of course, is also a favorite food source providing the much-needed energy to sustain their busy lifestyle. To conserve energy during the night or when food sources are scare, hummers will enter a state of deep, hibernation-like sleep called torpor, dramatically slowing their heart rate and metabolism. Their heart rate can drop from 1200 beats per minute to as low as 50 beats per minute, and their body temp will drop from 104 degrees to near 50 degrees.  They go into torpor for several hours each night and must do so or they would starve to death.  They are very vulnerable to predators during torpor.  Cats, snakes, hawks, jays, praying mantises, and frogs head up a list of many predators. The life expectancy of most hummingbirds is only 3 to 5 years, although the actual lifespan varies by species and individual factors.  Surviving the first year is the biggest challenge.

When it comes to reproducing and nesting the male takes a back seat once the mating ritual is complete. Males do not participate in nesting or raising their young.  The female alone builds the nest, incubates the eggs, and feeds the chicks.   A clutch of two eggs, each about the size of a jellybean, is the normal number.  The nest, made from moss, plant fibers and lichen and bound together with spider silk, is about the size of a walnut.  The spider silk allows the nest to be flexible and expand as the chicks grow.  Once they’ve left the nest and learned to feed on their own, it’s soon time to migrate.  The young hummingbirds must navigate their first long journey south strictly on instinct, as hummers are solo migrators, traveling alone, not in flocks or groups.  Shortly before migrating, they will increase their body weight by 25-40% storing fat for the long, energy-intensive journey.

But come spring, most of these little creatures will make the long journey north returning to their breeding ground here at Lake Anna.  Often, they will take up residence at/near the same location used in the previous year.

There is much more to learn about these little creatures, but I hope I’ve provided you with a few facts you may not have known.  Thanks for reading!

gary.cochard@lakeannavirginia.org

By Bill Hariu – November 2025

Why Winterize?

As I write these suggestions, I know many of you are experienced boaters and PWC owners who have already winterized and have your own process and / or through a qualified professional mechanic. This article is a gentle reminder of winterizing recommendations.

Proper winter maintenance in Virginia is essential to protect boat / PWC engines and systems from freeze damage. Key recommended steps include engine preservation, protecting plumbing, and securing the vessel for offseason storage. The answer boils down to water. Fresh water expands by about 9% in volume when it freezes and can push outward with tens of thousands of pounds per square inch of pressure. It’s no surprise, then, that around three-quarters of boat / PWC freeze insurance claims involve cracks in the engine block or exhaust manifolds because water remained in the cooling system or engine during a hard freeze.

Other damaged boating or PWC components may include fiberglass, hoses, plumbing and even refrigeration and don't forget the air-conditioning system if your boat has one.

What To Winterize:

In a nutshell, generally, anything that uses water for cooling or carries water for use on board needs to be winterized. Proper winterization means removing all water from the boat or PWC engines and systems and/or replacing it with the correct type of approved NONTOXIC antifreeze. How this is done and how long it takes varies by boat / PWC model and type of systems you have. For any plumbing systems aboard (e.g. fresh- and raw-water hose downs, water heaters, freshwater tanks, heads, includes holding tanks, pumps, shower sumps, sinks, and even seacocks) if recommended you may need to replace the water with an approved NONTOXIC antifreeze per your vessels manufacturing / specific system guidelines.

Simply draining the system isn’t enough because it’s nearly impossible to remove all water. Every boat and PWC model is different, so follow all manufacturer recommendations for winterizing your specific engine and your specific systems aboard.

What other Systems Need to Be Addressed?

Fall is also the perfect time to do your annual oil changes and transmission fluid, on your engines per manufacturing guidelines.  Make sure your to-do list includes if recommended for your specific model:

•    Any oil change and cylinder fogging for engines and generators.

•   Lower-unit gear-lube change for outboards or sterndrives.

•   Topping off the fuel tank, adding stabilizer or biocides as needed.

•   Inspection of anodes and running gear.

•   Washing the exterior of the boat to remove salt and dirt and getting the cockpit or other exterior drains cleared.

•   Make sure batteries are fully charged, or better yet, remove them where they can be stored indoors and given a booster charge from time to time to keep them topped up.

What's Left to Do other recommendations?

Your boating gear, and all the stuff a boat tends to accumulate over the season, will be more likely to stay clean, dry, and mildew free if you take it home and store it there. Additionally, gear that's not on the boat is gear that's not there to be stolen during those quiet months when the boatyard is largely empty or your boat is at home in the yard or boathouse

 Consider:

•   Removing bracket-mounted electronics, even if they're in the cabin or pilothouse.

•   Taking big-ticket items, like the dinghy, outboard, or kicker off the boat. Same goes for paddle boards and large water toys you might store aboard.

•   Removing rods, reels, and tackle, which are favorite targets for thieves.

•   Taking home spare clothes, cushions, canvas awnings, bedding, life jackets, and anything else likely to mildew.

•   Wash it all and make sure it's all salt-free and dry before storing. Put a lubricant on snaps and zippers, so they don't seize up over the storage season.

•   Adding a GPS tracker to your trailer able boat for remote monitoring. For as little as $99, it can keep an electronic eye on your boat when you can't.

•   Block your trailer up off the ground and remove the tires. This will not only deter thieves but also make trailer tires last longer.

How you answer these questions will dictate how much time, energy, and money you spend, and many of us gladly trade the latter for more of the former. Having a plan and preparing your boat well will mean getting back on the water sooner come spring.

Who Should Do the Work?

If you know what tasks need to be done for your boat or PWC and you’re comfortable doing them, there’s no reason you can’t winterize your boat yourself.

However, if there’s any question about what needs to be done or if you have an insurance endorsement for ice and freeze damage, you’ll need to hire a qualified marine professional.

bill.hariu@lakeannavirginia.org

By Sue Biondi – November 2025

The third annual Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) golf tournament was held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at Cutalong at Lake Anna golf course.  This was the first tournament held since the grand opening of Cooper’s Clubhouse.  There were 84 players, including Cutalong members and guests.

Prior to the 11:00 shotgun start, LACA President Greg Baker and other board members welcomed everyone and were busy selling raffle tickets and mulligans, which give players an extra stroke without penalty.  Players gathered behind the newly opened clubhouse, where they got into their carts and prepared to take off onto the course.  But prior to leaving, Greg got the raffle drawings underway and distributed many fabulous prizes.

Cutalong donated a round of golf and Greg donated three rounds of golf at Kinloch, located in the Richmond area.  Also, three one-night stays at the Boardwalk Hotel at Lake Anna were donated by Cutalong.  In addition, there were gift certificates donated from local restaurants including The Taphouse, Asian Cafe and Vito’s Italian Restaurant.  There were other cash prizes and dozens of golf balls, together with lots of golf-related items making for a memorable experience.

There were many hole sponsors with signs showing supportive community businesses.  The signs were made by Midtown Printing and Design, Rhonda Guill, owner.  The Louisa County Department of Tourism offered LACA a $5,000 grant in support of the tournament.  A fabulous box lunch was prepared by chefs at Coopers, which included a sandwich, homemade chips and a freshly baked cookie.  There was plenty of beer and soft drinks available for players.

Winners included first, second and third places and closest to the pin on all four par three holes.  All proceeds from the event went directly into the LACA Water Quality budget, to be used exclusively for the Kick the HAB (Harmful Algae Bloom) program.  The program’s goal is to remediate and mitigate algae blooms throughout the lake to keep the water clean, safe and beautiful.

LACA would like to thank Cutalong, all participants, sponsors and donors.  In addition to the businesses already mentioned, sponsors included Marshall’s Roofing, Superior Landscaping, JO Contractors, Lake Anna Golf Carts, Edward Jones Financial, the Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church Men’s Group, Realtor Tiffany Hazelwood, the Belmont Ruritans, Evergreen Irrigation and Landscaping, Realtor Kristie Cooke, Merrill Lynch, Patios Plus, Chiles, the Mineral United Methodist Church, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, K & M Rentals, Realtor Ashley Hoffman, the Richmond SPCA, Smile Lake Anna, Callie Opie’s Orchard, Realtor Liz Wilson and April Landscaping.

LACA is very thankful for these businesses’ support and looks forward to additional businesses joining in the effort next year.  A special thank you to co-organizer Lara Weatherholtz, co-chair of the LACA Marketing Committee, who spent endless hours of creativity making signs and posters.  A group effort made this a very successful day.  Proceeds from the event totaled more than $21,000.  We hope to see many more participants next year and hope to continue supporting the efforts of the Water Quality team and help reach their goal of mitigating and perhaps eradicating harmful algae on Lake Anna.

sue.biondi@lakeannavirginia.org

By Irene Luck – September 2025

LACA’s annual meeting was held at the North Anna Nuclear Information Center on Saturday, July 26.  The meeting allowed time for attendees to visit with various LACA committees as well as members of the board of directors and regional directors.

Leslie Anne Hammond, York River Steward and York River & Small Coastal Basin Roundtable Coordinator made a virtual presentation on the State of the York Watershed System of which Lake Anna is a component.  The full report is available on our website.

Hammond earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Longwood University and her Masters in Agriculture and life Sciences from Virginia Tech. Professionally, she has worked with agricultural producers and landowners across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula through several capacities with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the US Department of Agriculture.

Sarah Marshall, Manager of State and Local Affairs-Infrastructure Strategy for Dominion Energy, made a presentation on the Small Modular Reactor Development which Dominion is looking into for additional power generation capacity.

Marshall began her career with Dominion Energy at North Anna Power Station, supporting its nuclear operations organization. For much of her time with Dominion, she has served in the government affairs organization where her experience included supporting the company in state and local policy and existing and new generation permitting across the Commonwealth. In her current role, Marshall manages Dominion Energy’s strategic outreach for capital projects across its footprint, specializing in new generation builds supporting a just energy transition. 
Marshall earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from James Madison University and her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Clemson University.

Results of the annual election were also announced with incumbents Greg Baker, president; Willie Kelly, treasurer; Rick Hoyle, Jackson/Cuckoo Private side Regional Director; David Reichert, Brokenburg Regional Director; and Gary Cochard, Partlow Regional Director being reelected.  Bill Hariu joins the board as the Belmont Regional Director for one year completing the term of Ken Quaglio, who resigned due to relocation out of the area.

The prestigious Jack Bertron Distinguished Service Award was presented to Pat and Jane Gallagher of the Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services for their efforts to spearhead the establishment of the New Bridge Fire and Rescue facility.

The various committee chairs also gave brief reports of their activities during the past year, and Greg Baker presented the Wake Surfing Policy that LACA is advocating.  All the reports are available on the LACA website under each committee’s page.

irene.luck@lakeannavirginia.org

By Bill Hariu – September 2025

PWC stands for personal watercraft with an emphasis on the personal. Trade name craft, such as Ski-doo® (Bombardier Recreational Products), Waverunner® (Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA), and JET SKI® (Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA) are types of PWC. PWC’s are defined as motorboats less than 16 feet in length that are powered by jet pumps, not propellers, where the people stand, kneel, or sit on, rather than inside the boat.

PWC Education Requirement

Per Virginia Law & Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to operate a PWC on Virginia waters you must meet these requirements:

• No person under the age of 14 may operate a PWC.
• All PWC operators age 14 and older and all operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater engine need to take a DWR certified boating safety course.
• Classroom and Internet courses that are the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved and accepted by Virginia DWR meet these requirements. Classroom courses are provided by DWR, USCG Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons. DWR’s Boat Virginia course is free of charge. The USCG Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons may have a course fee. A Virtual Classroom course is also available. This course differs from other online courses as it is free and is led by an instructor in real time.  For course information got to the DWR web site https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/education/requirement/steps-to-requirement/
• Once you complete the course, the course completion certificate or card that is provided by the course provider is what is required to operate a vessel. 
• Have a copy of your NASBLA certificate or card with you when operating the PWC.
• The DWR challenge exam or other provisions of the Education Compliance Requirement do not meet the requirements of the age restriction law.

Safety Operation of a PWC Per VA DWR Regulations: Learn the local rules and keep your speed under control. All PWC must come to no wake speed when within 50 feet or less of piers, docks, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water and any other type of vessel, except another PWC.

PWC Registration in Virginia                                                                        A PWC that is principally used on the public waters of Virginia must be registered and titled in Virginia. You will need to apply for both a Certificate of Title and a Certificate or Number (registration) through the Virginia DWR at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com

• Obtain Your Decals and Card: The DWR will issue a Certificate of Number (a pocket-sized registration card) and validation decals for your PWC.

• Display Registration Markings: Your registration numbers must be displayed on the Bow of your vessel, and validation decals must be displayed within 6 inches of the numbers.
• Carry Your Registration:  You must sign the Certificate of Number and carry it on board Your PWC when operating it.

Restrictions on PWC Operation in Virginia                        

• Operate a PWC unless at least sixteen years of age, except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate a personal watercraft if (i) successfully completed an approved boating safety education course and (ii) carries proof of successful completion of such course while operating a PWC.
• Upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, such person shall provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course; PWC operators will need to comply with DWR boating safety education requirement.
• Operate a PWC unless each person riding on the PWC is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United State Coast Guard; Inflatable life jackets are prohibited.
• Failure to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device, if the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch.
• Operate a PWC on the waters of the Commonwealth between sunset and sunrise.

Towing Restrictions

• Anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

• Towing time of operation with a PWC is only allowed between sunrise and sunset.
• When towing a person on water skis or a similar device, the towing PWC must have an observer in addition to the operator.
• When a PWC is towing, it must have a rear-facing observer at least 12 years old and be rated for a minimum of three people.
• It is also illegal to operate a PWC while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Operate a PWC while carrying a number of passengers more than the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or operate a PWC in excess of the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels other than PWC.
• In Virginia, a PWC is not prohibited from towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length.

Reckless PWC Operation                                             

A person shall be guilty of reckless operation who operates any PWC recklessly or at a speed or in such a manner as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person, which shall include, but not be limited to:

weaving through vessels that are underway, stopped, moored or at anchor while exceeding a reasonable speed under the circumstances and traffic conditions existing at the time; following another vessel or person on water skis or similar device, crossing the path of another vessel, or jumping the wake of another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vessels and the traffic on and the condition of the waters at the time; crossing between the towing vessel and a person on water skis or other device; or steering toward an object or person and turning sharply in close proximity to such object or person in order to spray or attempt to spray the object or person with the wash or jet spray of the PWC.

 Examples of PWC Speed

The average speed of a PWC typically falls between 30-70 mph.  Factors like engine size, hull design, weight and operator experience also influence a PWC’s speed.

A PWC traveling at 40 mph typically requires 180 feet to 225 feet to come to a stop.  At 40 mph on a PWC you’re covering approximately 58.67 feet per second. That's a football field distance in 5.11 seconds.  Be alert of what you are approaching.

Understanding closing speed is crucial for maintaining a safe distance and avoiding collisions. It helps determine how quickly you need to react to avoid a potential collision accident.

Approaching another vessel head on: While operating a PWC at 40 mph a head on vessel is closing towards you at 30 mph your combined closing speed is 70 mph.  You’re covering approximately 102.67 feet per second towards each other. That’s a football field distance in 2.92 seconds to avoid the head on vessel.

Be a Safe Responsible PWC Operator

Injuries will only be avoided when the operator is educated about the craft, knows the rules of the water and can make safe decisions based on all present variables, experience and consideration of possible consequences.  The Virginia DWR encourages all potential operators to take a safe boating course prior to independent operation, especially those with limited boating experience.

Safe operation of a PWC must be a conscious decision after learning the facts. The true meaning of PWC is personal responsibility. Help make this year a personal-watercraft-safe year by not being a part of the accident or fatality picture.

Be Responsible! Be Safe! Have Fun! Or, more appropriately, to have fun, you must act responsibly and be safe.

bill.hariu@lakeannavirginia.org

By Jim Riddell, Government Affairs Specialist for the Virginia Cattlemen's Association – September 2025

Our beloved Louisa County is experiencing rapid growth, with recent estimates placing us among Virginia's fastest-growing jurisdictions. Projections suggest our population could exceed 80,000 by 2040. While growth brings new opportunities, it also presents significant challenges to our agricultural heritage and natural landscapes.

The Challenge: Balancing Growth with Conservation
Our Vision: Conserving Our Rural Way of Life
Proactive Initiatives to "Focus on Working Farms and Forestlands"

This rapid expansion is leading to the conversion of valuable farms and forestlands. From 2020 to 2025 alone, we've seen approximately 6,000 acres of working lands converted out of our 50,000 acres, impacting 432 farms. Increased population density, now at 79 people per square mile, is fragmenting commercial farm and forest areas. This makes it harder for timber and farm businesses to operate efficiently, with the Department of Forestry noting that lands with over 70 people per square mile have only a 1 in 4 chance of future timber management.

These trends, coupled with rising taxes and fluctuating commodity values, are putting immense pressure on our local farms and forests. Future growth will continue to strain our vital resources like water, food, and energy, as well as public services. However, by conserving and protecting our working farm and forest lands, we can help slow the rate of escalating costs and taxes for local government, as these lands require fewer community services.

Louisa County's Comprehensive Plan is built on three core themes:

1.  Conserve and preserve the county's rural character and way of life.

2.  Smart growth management.

3.  Protect established and future communities.

Our county's vision statement emphasizes strengthening our community by supporting agriculture and forestry, ensuring environmental stewardship, defining reasonable growth areas, and maintaining our rural charm. To secure Louisa County's future for all residents and families, we must take decisive action to conserve and protect our critical agricultural and natural resources.

To address these challenges, Louisa County is exploring and implementing several key initiatives:

Dedicated Staff: Adding a full-time position within the Community Development Department to administer crucial protection programs like Agricultural and Forestal Districts, zoning initiatives, voluntary easements, and Conditional Use Permits.

Conservation Easement Programs: Utilizing the Ag/Forestal and Rural Preservation Committee to expand conservation easement programs, including easement donations, Transfer of Development Rights, and Purchase of Development Rights. These programs can often secure matching funds from state, federal, and non-government sources.

Tax Relief for Farmers: Providing potential rebates from personal property taxes for non-registered farm-use vehicles and real estate property taxes for agricultural buildings that meet conservation standards.

Strengthening Use Value Taxation: Protecting and enhancing "Use Value Taxation" for working farms and forests, including an additional 25% real estate tax rebate for lands in the program and a 50% rebate for lands in 10-year Agricultural and Forestal Districts. This also includes allocating "roll-back tax" revenues and Forest Sustainability Funds to protection programs and requiring a three-quarters majority vote to discontinue use value taxation.

Grants for Conservation: The Ag/Forestal and Rural Preservation Committee plans to offer limited grants of $15,000 to families for conservation easement costs and $10,000 for completing registered farm/forest transition plans.

Incentivizing Investment: Annually allocating funds to match the state’s Agricultural and Forestal Industry Development Funds to encourage new investments in agriculture and forestry.

Education and Economic Development: Relocating Virginia Cooperative Extension to serve as a regional Ag and Forestal Education Center, offering training in leadership and innovative practices, and exploring a feasibility study for an ag/tourism event facility.

These initiatives underscore Louisa County's commitment to preserving its unique character and ensuring a sustainable future for its agricultural and natural resources. We encourage all residents to learn more and get involved in these vital efforts.

By Mark Debord – September 2025

Lake Anna is cherished for its endless shoreline, fishing, boating, and lakeside living. But one invasive plant threatens all of that: hydrilla. This fast-spreading aquatic species can take over shorelines, clog waterways, and change the ecosystem.

Fortunately, Lake Anna has a structured plan in place — the Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control — and you, the reader, have a role to play.

What is Hydrilla?

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) was brought to the U.S. via the aquarium trade in the 1960s. It grows fast, up to an inch per day, and spreads by fragmentation — meaning a tiny fragment broken off by a boat or rake can drift to a new area and begin a fresh infestation. Dense mats block sunlight, crowd out native plants, and reduce access for boats and recreation.

The Official Protocol: Your Guide, Your Role

Since 2015, the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) has implemented a formal protocol to manage hydrilla on the public side of the lake. The document is titled Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control at Lake Anna, Virginia(January 2025). It’s transparent, thorough, and meant to ensure all efforts — funding, treatment, priorities — are set by clear rules.

 View the full protocol here:

Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control – LAAC (PDF) Louisa County

• Surveys & mapping of hydrilla infestations by volunteers and residents, including details like location (latitude/longitude), size (acreage), and impact. Louisa County+1

• A scoring rubric to prioritize treatment sites based on factors such as size, navigational obstruction, recreational impact, feasibility, and restoration potential. Louisa County

• Clear phases over the year: plan development (October-January), carp stocking (if approved), surveys in summer, and final herbicide treatments. Louisa County

• Rules for private homeowners, HOAs, or POAs to request treatment under private funding, with review via the same scoring and permitting system. Louisa County

• Learn to identify hydrilla using photos or descriptions (the protocol document has “look-alike” attachments to help). Louisa County

• Report sightings through the Protocol’s process. Use the Watch List / survey forms. Be precise about location and size.

• If you’re in an HOA or a private property group, consider submitting requests under the private-funding provisions in the protocol.

• Support efforts like EutroPHIX that address nutrient overload.

Here’s what the protocol covers:

Because funding and manpower are limited, requests must follow this protocol to be considered. You can’t just hire herbicide or carp arbitrarily; it needs to go through the LAAC process.

Why Hydrilla Is Getting Out of Hand

Hydrilla doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. It’s fed by too many nutrients, especially phosphorus, in the lake. Those same excess nutrients also spark harmful algal blooms (HABs) — though HABs are a different issue, they share the root cause. Reducing nutrient loads helps hurt hydrilla’s edge while improving overall water quality.

EutroPHIX & Nutrient Reduction

One way Lake Anna is fighting the nutrient problem is EutroPHIX, a treatment that safely removes excess phosphorus. By reducing the “fertilizer” hydrilla and algae depend on, EutroPHIX helps make the lake less hospitable to both invaders and blooms.

While EutroPHIX is not a hydrilla-control tool exactly, it supports the long-term goal: a healthier, balanced lake.

What You Can Do

To help manage hydrilla more effectively:

Hydrilla is invasive, persistent, and cheap to underestimate — but Lake Anna now has a clear roadmap to manage it. The Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control is your go-to source for how treatments are chosen, how you can request action, and how the community can help. Click the link above to read the full protocol and see how you can make a difference. For more information, please see the FAQs LAAC has posted at Hydrilla at Lake Anna | Louisa County, VA.

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org

By Harry Looney – August 2025

Thanks to persistent efforts by the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) and the support of our elected officials, a significant new program is launching to improve Lake Anna's water quality. The Virginia General Assembly has provided $750,000 in funding to tackle the root cause of harmful algal blooms (HABs): excess phosphorus.

The Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) will lead this five-year initiative, known as the Phosphorus Remediation Program (PRP). The primary goal is to restore the upper reservoir's ecological balance by reducing phosphorus levels below a target of 30 parts per billion. As you can see from the data visualization of phosphorus levels in the upper reservoir, many areas are well above the desired level of 30 parts per billion.

Data Visualization of Total Phosphorus Levels – June 2025 LACA and DEQ sampling
(values are measured in parts per billion)

This new program builds on successful pilot projects conducted in 2024 on the North Anna River and Terry's Run. The results from those efforts proved that new treatment methods can effectively reduce phosphorus, leading to a healthier environment for fish, plants, and recreational activities.

Based on these positive outcomes, the LAAC recently selected EutroPHIX, a division of the SePRO Corporation, from four different proposals to lead the Phosphorus Remediation Program. Their plan is a comprehensive, multi-year approach that includes:

·         Treating lake sediment in the North Anna River and Pamunkey Creek to inactivate existing phosphorus.

·         Preventing new phosphorus from entering the lake from the North Anna River watershed by injecting special binding chemicals.

·         Monitoring and planning for similar treatments in Pamunkey Creek in the future.

·         Continuous testing of the water and sediment to ensure the treatments are working effectively and safely.

This is a long-term commitment. The PRP is designed to gradually reduce phosphorus year after year, avoiding any sudden shock to the environment. While the initial year is fully funded by the state, LACA will continue to seek additional funding from state, federal, and grant sources to ensure this vital work continues. This is a major step forward in our mission to protect and preserve Lake Anna for everyone.

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org