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Virginia State Parks encourage families to get outside Thanksgiving weekend
Read full article: Virginia State Parks encourage families to get outside Thanksgiving weekendThis Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Parks are encouraging people to ‘opt out’ of the shopping and chaos and ‘opt outside’ instead.
Business owner off Claytor Lake worries for tourism amidst Helene recovery
Read full article: Business owner off Claytor Lake worries for tourism amidst Helene recoveryTourism during fall foliage season is big business in Virginia. While cleanup is still underway for areas hit hard by Helene, local businesses are hoping to attract visitors.
Helene‘s impact on our region’s ecosystem as cleanup efforts continue
Read full article: Helene‘s impact on our region’s ecosystem as cleanup efforts continueThousands of pounds of debris are clogging Claytor Lake from Helene, and since the storm, crews have been constantly cleaning up to get it back to where it once was.
Clean-up efforts continue at Claytor Lake
Read full article: Clean-up efforts continue at Claytor LakeIn the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Claytor Lake in Pulaski County was left with massive debris fields prompting extensive clean-up efforts that could last several months, authorities previously told 10 News.
Professional Jet Ski Racing returns to Pulaski County
Read full article: Professional Jet Ski Racing returns to Pulaski CountyThe second annual Blue Ridge Mountain Summer Series Championship is back for another year, and all weekend racers will be out on the lake participating in a variety of events.
Civil engineering students test the waters with cement canoes in competition at Claytor Lake
Read full article: Civil engineering students test the waters with cement canoes in competition at Claytor LakeThe American Society of Civil Engineers hosts a competition every year for civil engineering students, and this year, Virginia Tech got to host at Claytor Lake State Park.
Leaders raising money on jet skis for higher education
Read full article: Leaders raising money on jet skis for higher educationNew River Valley leaders are raising money to help continue students higher education it's part of the American Jet Sport Assocation Races taking place this weekend at Claytor Lake.
Diver discovers, returns camera holding decades of memories from the bottom of Claytor Lake
Read full article: Diver discovers, returns camera holding decades of memories from the bottom of Claytor LakeUndergoing rescue training, a Blacksburg diver plunges into Claytor Lake and ends up finding a treasure that would change a woman’s life forever.
Families at Claytor Lake say Memorial Day weekend meant more this year
Read full article: Families at Claytor Lake say Memorial Day weekend meant more this yearDespite a little chill in the air, families still found a way to relax at Claytor Lake this Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial start to summer.
Authorities release names of two dead after boating accident on Claytor Lake in Pulaski County
Read full article: Authorities release names of two dead after boating accident on Claytor Lake in Pulaski CountyPULASKI COUNTY, Va. – UPDATEAuthorities have named the two man that died after a boating accident on Claytor Lake in Pulaski County. Faron Gardner, 67, of Hillsville and Reginald Sizemore, 70, of Dublin were on Claytor Lake when their boats collided, according to the Virginia Dept. Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and neither of the men were wearing life jackets. ORIGINAL STORYTwo people are dead after a boating accident on Claytor Lake, near Peak Creek, according to Conservation Police. AdMultiple agencies responded to Peak Creek, which is about half a mile away from where the incident took place on Claytor Lake.
Alabama Bass in Virginia lakes are threatening state’s bass population
Read full article: Alabama Bass in Virginia lakes are threatening state’s bass populationThe species, which is in appearance, is nearly identical to the Spotted Bass, threatens both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass through competition and hybridization, according to DGIF. Although Alabama Bass, which are native to Alabama and parts of Georgia, can grow somewhat larger than Spotted Bass, DGIF says they have a tendency to become stunted, ultimately creating a fishery dominated by small bass. Here's a comparison between Alabama Bass, Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass (iNaturalist Angling for Black Bass Conservation Project)DGIF believes that further spread of Alabama Bass may jeopardize bass fisheries in systems such as Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna, Lake Moomaw, South Holston Reservoir, the upper James River, and the Shenandoah River. Existing Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations saw negative impacts after Alabama Bass entered the water in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, according to DGIF. Contact DGIF at fisheries@dgif.virginia.gov or at 804 367-1293Anyone with information about intentioal stockings of Alabama Bass should contact DGIF law enforcement at 800-237-5712 or WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov.
Nonprofit helping remove debris from Claytor Lake
Read full article: Nonprofit helping remove debris from Claytor LakeFriends of Claytor Lake (FOCL) helps preserve and keep Claytor Lake clean year-round. Rapp said the lake is one of Pulaski County’s hidden gem, “It’s one of Pulaski County’s best kept secrets, Smith Mountain Lake gets a lot of notoriety, but Claytor Lake doesn’t.”FOCL cleans all 21 miles of the lake from April to November. “In some coves you can even walk across the lake without even getting wet it’s so much debris,” Rapp said. Friends of Claytor Lake is holding its annual community cleaning day event on Saturday, June 27. Instead of meeting up in a large group, FOCL is encouraging lake residents to clean their own properties.
Hundreds come to Claytor Lake as beach reopens after coronavirus closure
Read full article: Hundreds come to Claytor Lake as beach reopens after coronavirus closureCLAYTOR LAKE, Va. – If you have been waiting to cool off from the summer heat in a lake, your wait is over. Virginia’s state parks, including Claytor Lake and Smith Mountain Lake, reopened their swimming areas Friday morning after COVID-19 delayed the season. Hundreds of people made the trip to Claytor Lake’s swimming area on its first day of operation. “We were stuck in the house and we wanted to have fun, so we came out here,” said Abi Lineberoy. Havens believes the park will continue to draw summer crowds, and that the park has adequately prepared for the rush.
Smith Mountain Lake, Claytor Lake beaches to open Friday
Read full article: Smith Mountain Lake, Claytor Lake beaches to open FridayStarting Friday, you can again enjoy the lakefront beaches at both Smith Mountain Lake and Claytor Lake. However, if overcrowding occurs, these beaches will be closed. Those at either beach are advised to respect social distancing and not participate in team sports. Claytor LakeBoth the beach and snack bar open Friday. Here’s a look a the lake’s upcoming beach and snack bar schedule:June 12-14 (Fri-Sun) Guarded beach and snack bar availableJune 15-17 (Mon-Wed) Swim at your own risk and no snack barJune 18-21 (Thur-Sun) Guarded beach and snack bar availableJune 22-24 (Mon-Wed) Swim at your own risk and no snack barJune 25-28 (Thur-Sun) Guarded beach and snack bar available
Claytor Lake State Park experiences small Memorial Day Weekend crowd due to social distancing
Read full article: Claytor Lake State Park experiences small Memorial Day Weekend crowd due to social distancingCLAYTOR LAKE, Va. – Claytor Lake State Park usually experiences a Memorial Day Weekend rush of people longing for their first taste of summer. Some people decided to make the trek to Claytor Lake, despite social distancing. “We do typically come down to the lake on Memorial Day Weekend," Williams said. They expected the typical Memorial Day Weekend crowd, but were proven wrong when they arrived. Cicadas have started to emerge at the park, and torrential rain from the week filled Claytor Lake with murky water and driftwood.