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Beaverdam Reservoir & Surrounding Land to Close Temporarily

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by beahmer, Apr 23, 2014.

  1. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    I received the attached email and press release and wanted to pass along to the community!

    Dear Mr. Beahm:
    In January 2014, Loudoun Water completed the historic purchase of the City of Fairfax drinking water system assets located in Loudoun County. These facilities have served Loudoun Water customers through a wholesale agreement for over 50 years, and the ability to gain complete ownership of these assets fits our strategic planning efforts, helping to ensure Loudoun Water’s customers have reliable and sustainable drinking water resources long into the future.
    One of the strategically vital assets that we acquired is the 600-acre Beaverdam Creek Reservoir and surrounding property. This reservoir is an important aspect of our overall water management plan. In order to protect and enhance that asset, we have begun the planning process for the renovations and upgrades that are essential to abide with the changes in the Virginia dam safety design and regulatory criteria as well as address safety and long-term land use management issues.
    Planned construction efforts will correct deficiencies that include inadequate spillway and conveyance capacity, stability and integrity of the dam embankment (seepage), stability and integrity of the intake tower and the tower access bridge, secure pump station capability as well as other items. We are in the process of selecting an engineering firm to assist us in planning and designing for these significant renovations. The assessment, inspection, planning, design, permitting, construction and acceptance activities associated with the renovation are anticipated to be completed by late 2018.
    To prepare for this significant project, Loudoun Water must immediately restrict all public access to the reservoir and the surrounding land to ensure the safety of the public as well as those working on the renovation. In the next few weeks, signage will be posted around the reservoir indicating this restriction.
    During the renovation process, Loudoun Water plans to embark on a land management planning process, including an extensive stakeholder involvement process. Our objective is to create a plan that, first and foremost, manages the reservoir as a drinking water resource, while supporting an appropriate level of public use and enjoyment after renovations have been completed.
    I would appreciate it if you would share this information with your community. For your information, I have attached the press release that was distributed yesterday announcing this change. mpeterson@loudounwater.org.
    Regards,
    Mark Peterson
    Executive Director of Stakeholder Relations
     
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    interesting... yet disturbing at the same time.
     
  3. blunoz

    blunoz Member

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    Man that sucks. Thanks for sharing this.
     
  4. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    Wonder if they are kicking out the crew teams from practicing there, etc. We love to canoe there as it's so convenient :( BOO. Wonder how long this will last -- hopefully not through 2018!
     
  5. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    From the language in the letter, it sounds like the City of Fairfax wasn't maintaining the area properly and per Virginia state "dam safety design and regulatory criteria as well as address safety and long-term land use management issues." On one hand I'm sad to hear that access will be curtailed for the next 4 years, but on the other hand, I'm happy that it will be brought back up to 'code', etc.
     
  6. Silly Yak

    Silly Yak Member

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    Just read that the crew teams will be able to continue to use it. That's something at least.
     
  7. yakky

    yakky New Member

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    Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. Mr. Petersons appears to be the treasurer of the rowing organization. I'm not one to entertain conspiracy theories, but something stinks here. Some interesting things I've found:

    -On Feb 6, Fred Jennings, GM of Loudoun water stated they didn't foresee limiting public access.
    -Prior to purchasing the reservoir, Loudoun Water discussed leasing the reservoir for recreational use.
    -Loudoun has been eyeballing a the purchase of the reservoir for years, even having studies preformed and looking at raising water levels circa 2003

    I'll be at the Loudoun Water board meeting tomorrow, hopefully I can get more details. I've setup a page that has some additional details here:

    http://www.beaverdamcreekreservoir.com

    Also a great facebook page dedicated to the reservoir:

    https://www.facebook.com/cleanupbeaverdam

    Please contact your Loudoun Board of supervisors and share your opinions. Four years is a long time!
     
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  8. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    Good find on the rowing/Peterson connection. Sounds very convenient to me, and it's also interesting that he used to work for Luck Stone as well.
     
  9. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    Received this notice today -

    Beaverdam Creek Reservoir: Informational Community Meeting
    On April 22, 2014, Loudoun Water closed public access to the Beaverdam Creek Reservoir and the surrounding property. The temporary access restriction is necessary as Loudoun Water has the responsibility to assess, understand, and plan key areas of ownership, including safety & security, liability, operational flexibility (required dam upgrades), water quality, and property management. Ultimately, Loudoun Water’s objective is to manage the reservoir as a drinking water resource while also supporting public use and enjoyment.

    You are invited to attend an informational community meeting to learn more about Loudoun Water’s vision for Beaverdam Creek Reservoir. Representatives from Loudoun Water will be on hand to describe this future vision and key milestones.

    Details:
    Beaverdam Creek Reservoir Informational Community Meeting
    Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
    Stone Hill Middle School
    23415 Evergreen Ridge Drive
    Ashburn, VA 20148

    For more information, contact:
    Sue Crosby, Manager of Outreach & Education
    scrosby@loudounwater.org
    Phone: 571.291.7893
     
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  10. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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  11. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    yeah, and I'm sure kids are still going there to drink and party, but legitimate users are the ones who lose out. Sad...
     
  12. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    The most interesting part I saw in that article was it was "...closing the reservoir to the public was necessary to limit liability and risk..."

    Boils down to lawsuits. Funny that the rowing association still gets access, they must have good insurance.
     
  13. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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  14. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    cool - seeing it drained would be neat
     
  15. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    You could walk out almost to the middle a month or so ago - almost all the water was completely gone.
     
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  16. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Hmmm, you could see the lake bed?
     
  17. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    Yes - I went in off Belmont Ridge which is where I noticed the drained lake - so I went around to the other side and you could walk in 100yards - there was still some low spots with water....
     
  18. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    Beaverdam Reservoir - Open House October 27th
    630 - 830 PM
    National Recreation and Park Association
    22377 Belmonth Ridge Road
    571-291-7893
     

    Attached Files:

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