Repairs to the Diascund Reservoir in upper James City County have caused Newport News Waterworks officials to lower the level of water in the reservoir, temporarily disrupting boating activities.
Newport News Waterworks manages the reservoir as part of their mission to provide water to much of James City County, Williamsburg and York County. A news release from the waterworks said officials hope to have the water restored to a level safe for boating in a few weeks.
The repairs are necessary due to problems found by waterworks officials during a routine inspection of the dam and spillway, as well as damage to the pumping station sustained during Tropical Storm Andrea in June. Officials lowered the water level for each of the issues, resulting in the current level which is not safe for boating.
Once the pumping station repairs are complete in a few weeks, the water level will be restored to a level safe for boating. The water level will remain altered, however, for up to two years.
Repairs on the spillway will begin in spring or summer 2014 and last about nine to 12 months. Costs are currently unknown.
“While this has some impact on recreation activities in the reservoir, the lower lake levels will encourage the growth of plants within the protective buffer surrounding the reservoir,” Andrew Rich, the Waterworks watershed property administrator, said in a release. “Diascund remains a beautiful part of the rural landscape and an important source of water for the Lower Peninsula.”
Officials don’t think the fish population or the sterile grass carp to be disrupted by any of the repair work.
The reservoir is located at the border of James City and New Kent counties. It is accessible via Route 60 west of Anderson’s Corner. A state-owned public boat ramp is located at the reservoir as well.
