Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in fall 2024, Claytor Lake is ready for the summer season thanks to extensive cleanup efforts.

Christmas for the fishes will not be happening at Claytor Lake this year due to ongoing efforts and debris removal from Helen, Friends of Claytor Lake announced.

Friends 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.