| For Immediate Release 4/24/2008 |
Contact Julia Dixon, 804-367-0991 |
Powhatan, VA - After nearly four years and $2 million, the Powhatan Lakes are back. At a rededication ceremony today, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) announced the completion of the work to rebuild the 66-acre lakes.
The project was a four-year, $2 million effort. The first two years were spent securing the funding. The General Assembly approved a $2 million interest-free loan that will be repaid by the Department with the insurance money from the Department of Treasury Risk Management Division.
The dams were insured at the time they failed in June 2004. A severe storm event caused overtopping of the upper dam, the eventual breaching of that dam and the subsequent chain-reaction breaching of the lower dam. Local news sources indicated that as much as five inches of rain may have fallen within a two-hour period.
The dams had been there for 150 years, having been constructed in the 1850s. The lakes were acquired by VDGIF in 1954. Today they are part of the Powhatan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) but initially the acquisition was only for the lakes. The surrounding property was purchased later.
Catch and Release Only
The upper lake was at one time a trophy bass fishery with five to eight pound trophies available. Fish population restoration work will take place over the next three years with the first stocking of bluegills this summer. Later catfish and bass will be stocked with the long-term goal of returning the upper lake to trophy bass status. There was a remnant fish population in the creek that was dammed to create the lakes, so there is a small population of fish in the lakes. People are welcome to come out and fish, however, only catch and release will be allowed.
To learn more about fishing and boating in Virginia, including where to fish, how to identify fish species, guides to lakes and rivers, fishing and boating regulations and much more, visit the Department's Web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov.
Improved Facility
- The new construction includes two new fishing piers, one on the upper lake and one on the lower lake which expand the fishing opportunities.
- Two boat launch facilities have been improved. No gasoline powered motors allowed.
- New trails and platforms for wildlife viewing and fishing are being constructed and expect to be completed by fall.
- Design firm was Burgess and Niple, Inc.
- Contractor was Angler Environmental.
- Southside Electrical donated the use of their equipment and installed pilings for the pier
- Department staff framed and decked the piers.
About VDGIF
It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to manage Virginia's wildlife and inland fish to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; and to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitat, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.
