Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 11:04 AM
Subject: Gathright Dam pulse release dates announced (UNCLASSIFIED)

COVINGTON, Va. - The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will deviate from Gathright Dam's existing water control plan in order to conduct six pulse releases from June through October 2013.

The pulses, conducted by the Norfolk District in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will begin at approximately 6 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. and will increase levels 3 to 4.5 feet in the Jackson River. 

The agencies advise people who use the river to be aware of the river fluctuations caused by the pulses.

"The pulses will allow for a full season of monitoring data to be collected," said Owen Reece, Norfolk District hydraulic engineer. "The data will help to document the water quality and environmental benefits of an alternative water control plan."

The 2013 pulse dates are scheduled for the following Tuesdays:

June 25
July 23
Aug. 13
Sept. 3
Sept. 24
Oct. 15

The deviation from the water control plan will also slightly reduce river flow by 11 percent from the dam, resulting in a 1-inch drop in the Jackson River. 

The releases will not have negative effects on the water levels at Lake Moomaw; levels are expected to remain slightly above where they would have been under the existing water control plan. The water reserved in the lake from the reduced flow will be used for the pulse releases.

The pulse releases will be similar to test pulse releases previously conducted in August 2010, September 2011 and October 2012.  Those controlled releases, which were single events, tested whether the pulses effectively removed algae and improved water quality.

The 3,000 cubic-feet-per-second test pulse in August 2010 showed the pulse raised dissolved oxygen levels in the river, scoured excess oxygen-consuming algae and "slightly improved" aquatic habitat of the Jackson River downstream of Covington.

"We expect the proposed changes in flow, coupled with major pollutant reductions in the basin, to significantly improve water quality in the Jackson River," DEQ Director David K. Paylor said.

The temporary deviation is based on the preferred alternative in the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact documents, which were prepared to assess the potential impacts of the Gathright Dam Low Flow Augmentation Project on the Jackson River.  The project and development of the preferred alternative were a cooperative effort between the Norfolk District and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The EA and FONSI are available at http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/About/Projects/GathrightMoomaw.aspx.


MEDIA CONTACTS

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Bill Hayden
william.hayden@deq.virginia.gov
804-698-4447

Norfolk District Public Affairs
Kerry Solan
Kerry.l.solan@usace.army.mil
757-201-7606


Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

May 2013 Fishing Blog Post # 2

This is the second of our seasonal blogs for fishing updates on our guided rivers in the Twin Rivers fishing area.  Water temperatures are definitely where they need to be – in the mid 60s.  Fish are currently at their “happy” spot; the water temps and flow are ideal for smallmouths -- you should be able to encounter fish of any size just about anywhere in the streambed.  This past weekend a friend and I floated below Lynchburg and found that the smaller fish were feeding on just about anything, the males of larger size (14” to 16”) were near the banks, and that we had some larger fish that appeared to be spawned out females.  The key here is this:  these larger fish (16” to 19”) were feeding on bait --  larger minnows.  We found that crankbaits and soft plastics that imitated crippled baitfish were the ticket to our larger fish while tubes, grubs, and jig n’ pigs caught a good many of what we call the “male” guarders.  These females, once they have spawned out, will attempt to restock their energy sources by gorging on whatever fills their stomach the fastest.  As long as water temperatures, air temperatures, and flow levels stay close to the moderate levels that we have at this time fishing should be good for all people.  But (there is always an exception somewhere), once the next spawn comes around to its conclusion be prepared for the larger fish to make a nosedive for the bottom of some very deep and dark holes in preparation for the ensuing hot summer months and long periods of light.  For the time being once our air temps get this last bit of early spring out of the way the tiny torpedo should start working real well, especially early in the morning and right before dark.  Keep your fishing line fresh, retie your knot often (constant casting and playing heavier fish wear knots out very fast), and go fishing to your favorite spot . . . . . good luck and remember:  catch a few, handle them carefully, and release the nice ones – you may want to fish again tomorrow.  Contact John or Dan at Twin Rivers if you are interested in a personal guided fishing trip @ canoevirginia.net/ or 540-261-7334.

 

Sincerely,

Richard Furman

Twin Rivers Fishing Guide

http://canoevirginia.net/james-river-guided-fishing.html

 

Region's natural beauty is a tourism resource for Botetourt County.

Susan Bahorich reporterWDBJ7  5:14 p.m. EDT, May 1, 2013

BOTETOURT CO., Va.—

 

A lazy day on the river is better to many than a day at work.
And, it's this serentity Botetourt County has decided to capitalize on. .

"The Upper James River Water Trail started in Botetourt in about 2008. We officially opened up the trail in 2010," explains Richard Peters, Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism for Botetourt County.

Nearly 3-years later that commitment is paying off.

The Gala public boat access is one of two sites Botetourt has opened in the last year and one of 8 in the county.

Explains Peters, "It provides access to the river for our local residents, but also for tourism and visitors that would come into Botetourt to fish and float."

Welcome to Eco-Tourism.
A growing movement across the country that has places looking at their existing, natural resources to draw in crowds.

Says Peters, "We're trying to expand that and grow that in hopes that visitors come to Botetourt and spend some money and boost our local economy, especially in the Northern section of the county where there's less opportunity for commercial development."

It's an idea that paying off for the county and its businesses.

"We've really seen some great results. We've had a lot of additional boaters. We have a local canoe livery that operates in Buchanan. Their business has grown 25% each of the last two-years," Peters explains.

And, at a cost of about 24-thousand dollars to prepare, it makes dollars and "cents" to the county.

"It's a fairly small capital investment, but it'll have huge benefits for us and huge impacts," Peters explains.
Ten-thousand dollars of Gala expense was covered by a grant. The remainer was picked up local businesses.
As for the Gala site, a kiosk will be soon added and Peters hopes to eventually have a concrete boat ramp constructed there.

See link below to watch news story:

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-regions-natural-beauty-is-a-tourism-resource-for-many-localities-20130501,0,5831863.story

Alleghany Highlands Blueway Article

http://www.paddling.net/articles/Trail47.html

Alleghany Highlands Blueway (VA)

The Alleghany Highlands Blueway is comprised of two lakes and two scenic rivers that offer great paddling, fishing and boating opportunities.

Waterways:

• Jackson River

• Cowpasture River

• Lake Moomaw

• Douthat Lake 

Jackson River

The jewel of Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, the wild and scenic Jackson River enters the Alleghany Highlands from Gathright Dam on Lake Moomaw. Nearly 30 miles of the Jackson River wind through the Alleghany Highlands, with two small segments closed to the public due to private property and logging operations. The Jackson meets the Cowpasture River near the town of Iron Gate to form the headwaters of the James River, which flows all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. Several small streams that feed into the Jackson River, including Dunlap Creek and Potts Creek, also offer excellent fishing opportunities.

There are no campsites along the Jackson River.

Cowpasture River

Approximately 10 miles of the Cowpasture River flows through the eastern portion of the Alleghany Highlands. Paddling on the Cowpasture is mostly moving water with a few easy straight forward rapids with great views of the surrounding mountains. Near Iron Gate, the Cowpasture meets the Jackson River to form the James River, which flows through neighboring Botetourt and Rockbridge counties on its way to the Chesapeake Bay.

Camping is permitted on National Forest property along the Cowpasture River.

Douthat State Park

Not only is Douthat State Park one of Virginia's oldest state parks, it's one of its finest. The Outside Family Vacation Guide named Douthat State Park one of the nation's 10 best. Its contribution to the Alleghany Highlands Blueway is Douthat Lake, a 50-acre lake with swimming, boating and seasonal trout fishing.

Established camping areas are available at Douthat State Park.

Lake Moomaw

Lake Moomaw is the northern most portion of the Alleghany Highlands Blueway. The lake, which is shared by the Alleghany Highlands and the County of Bath, has 43 miles of undeveloped, wooded shoreline just perfect for exploring by canoe or kayak yet large enough for sailing and motorboats. Add in beautiful campsites and world-class fishing and you've got a perfect vacation.

Established camping areas are available at Lake Moomaw.

Click on link for:

Downloadable Maps & Water Levels

The Alleghany Highlands is in the western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia along the border of West Virginia. The Alleghany Highlands is about a one hour drive from Roanoke and approximately three hours from Richmond, Washington, DC, and Charleston, WV.

Contact Info:

Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

110 Mall Road

Covington, VA 24426

Upper James River Fishing Report April 14, 2013

Now that spring has finally rushed into reality, the smallies will be getting ready for their first spawn of the season. Once the current river levels settle down, the surface water temperatures will definitely be in the ‘50s and the “guard” fish will start working the shallows. Crawfish, lizard, and helgramite imitations will work for sure. Crank baits mimicking crawdads and small baitfish will also be great candidates for those times when the waters are a little stained or we have low light conditions. Keep in mind that because of the delay in spring getting here the fishing season is going to move quickly into spring fishing patterns, if our weather patterns hold true to history – but who knows, there is no crystal ball for fishing. You should keep a jig n’ pig, a tube bait, a single and/or double tailed grub, a good medium sized spinner bait, a couple of good crankbaits, a fluke of some kind, and at least one top water (torpedo or buzz bait) in your arsenal at this time and you should be good to go. This past week I caught several fish, some of decent size (15 to 18 inches), using tubes and jig n’ pigs. Because the water was still pretty full (Buchanan gauge @ 4.5’ or higher) the fish were definitely tight to the bottom in areas of low drag – meaning that they were in the current seams where they have to work less to “sit” there and wait or search for food. 

 

Good luck and keep a tight line . . . . . . . . . if, by chance, you or a friend are interested in a private guided fishing trip by raft, canoe, or kayak please contact John or Dan at Twin Rivers Outfitters @ canoevirginia.net/ or 540-261-7334.

Respectfully,

Richard Furman
Twin Rivers Guide