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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION: The January membership meeting date has been
changed. The new date is Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
This meeting will feature a review of the history of Leesville
Lake by Lou Revelle, called “Leesville Lake Chronicles”. Included will
be a short history of the project, its inspiration and hurdles to
overcome in making it a reality. Lou will point out sites along
the lake of historical interest that many are unaware of. The
meeting will conclude
with a luncheon presented by your Board of Directors. We can’t
wait to sample their homemade soups and chilis; let us know
you’re coming by emailing Phyllis Garlick at secretary@leesvillelake.org. See you
at the Train Station on the 29th!
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Letter from
LLA President
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First I hope this newsletter finds everyone safe
and healthy as we recover from the holiday season. I say
“recover” because at our house it is always a wonderful and festive
time and we look forward to it, but there is always a period of
much needed rest and recovery after. In any event, Pam and I
hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and great holiday season!
I’d like to focus my thoughts on the ongoing Member
Opinion Survey. The survey remains open through January and
your thoughts and opinions count, so please participate. It
is the Board’s intention to consolidate the major areas/issues
after the survey is closed, to communicate those items to the
members and to begin prioritizing items to be addressed. It
should come as no surprise that the major topics of concern are:
safety, debris management and water quality. These three are
in perfect alignment with the overall mission of the Leesville
Lake Association. The Debris and Water Quality Committees
are strong and functioning well. Inspections, testing,
monitoring and reporting in these areas are functioning properly. Additionally
these are the areas of greatest focus in our relationship with
APCo. I appreciate the hard work and diligence of those
committees. Regarding safety, while it is the overriding
value of all Board and committee work, we are in need of a new
committee chair and a stronger committee. If you have
interest in this area, please let me or any Director know of your
interest.
Other areas of great interest in the survey
involve fishing and fish habitat, and shoreline
management. Some of the comments and/or concerns show a lack
of knowledge regarding APCo’s operating license restrictions and
policies in these areas. As we move forward, we will try to
educate the membership about what we can and cannot do.
Finally I want to encourage everyone to attend our
upcoming General Membership Meeting. It will be held
at the Altavista Train Station at 10:30 on January 29,
2022. There are only four (4) Membership Meetings per year,
so your attendance is important and appreciated. At this
meeting, Mr. Lou Revelle will be our guest speaker and present a
history of the area. In addition, the Board of Directors
will be serving homemade chili(s) and soup(s) after the
meeting. Y’all come … Dave
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Secretary’s
Report
Phyllis
Garlick
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Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed
the New Year. With the New Year in mind, I find myself looking
back and realizing how blessed we are to live on such a
beautiful, tranquil lake. This is why we are all here, is it not?
With that in mind, we all have an obligation to
make sure that Leesville Lake remains our Happy Place. In order
for that to happen, I am asking that everyone take a look back
and ask themselves “What did I do to help keep Leesville Lake my
“happy place” and how can I continue to make sure it stays this
way?” Your Board of Directors works to keep OUR LVL safe, clean,
and fun. It is not a hard job, we all love serving its members,
in fact, it isn’t a job at all. It is our way of protecting what
we love.
There are several Board members stepping down as
we feel we have served our time on the Board and it is now up to
you as members to step up with some new ideas. Serving over 10
years as Secretary, I see the need for members to come forward to
continue to make Leesville Lake the “Happy Place” we love and
enjoy. Those of us stepping down will still be here and will
still be serving, just in a different capacity.
Let us help those of you who want to step up and
be the lights that continue to make Leesville Lake the best place
to live. Please contact any of your Board and let us know that
you want to serve.
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Debris
Committee Report
Pam
McMillan
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With the start of the 2022 New Year, we hope to
soon hear from Appalachian Power regarding their progress on the
potential capture/containment device at the Pigg River
confluence.
As of mid-October, AEP has eased off with debris
collection on the lake. The total amount removed from Leesville
Lake was 1,692 tons (January 2021-October 2021).
We appreciate everyone who has helped by reporting
dangerous debris. Please continue to do so and encourage your
neighbors to do the same. Our Committee will continue to monitor
AEP’s activities and obligations pertaining to their license
agreement.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions,
suggestions or wish to volunteer on our committee.
We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!
Frank and Barb Podrebarac
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Navigation
Committee Report
Joe
Humphrey
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The two Hazard Buoys that had moved, the shoal at
mile 11 and the stump field at mile 15, were returned to their
designated locations along with additional 100 pound anchors for
a total 200 pound anchors on each buoy.
The TLAC Board of Directors has approved the final
three Hazard Buoys we previously proposed. The applications
have been forwarded to the Virginia Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) for the final approvals.
No Wake Buoy at Old Woman’s Creek
The No Wake Buoy at the mouth of Old Woman’s Creek
that broke loose has been replaced with a new buoy.
There is no update on the 13 proposed navigation
aids intended to identify the channel at those locations where
the location of the channel may be in question. Along with
our proposal for the 13 channel markers, we are requesting AEP
install and maintain navigation lights on the Toler’s Ferry
Bridge.
Properties around Smith Mountain Lake and
Leesville Lake will have the option to apply for no-wakesurfing
zones starting next year. The proposed procedure for residents to
obtain a no-wakesurfing zone would first require anyone applying
to obtain written consent from at least 75% of neighbors in the
impacted area.
**Those applying must also show verifiable proof
that a public safety hazard exists and occurs on a regular basis
through written statements, videos and reports to law
enforcement.
**Applicants can also show structural, shoreline
or vessel damage has occurred that can be verified by submitting
repair bills, pictures or a written statement from a business
professional that can verify the damage was caused by
wakesurfing.
**Applicants in a channel, cove or area of water
with less than 400 feet between shorelines or the furthest
extending points of a structure such as docks will also be
considered for no-wakesurfing buoys. The 400 foot limit was
decided based on recommendations by the Water Sports Industry
Association that wakesurfers should be at least 200 feet from the
shoreline or structures.
According to the procedure, TLAC would hold public
hearings for anyone applying for a no-wakesurfing zone. Following
the public hearing, board members would vote on the request and
send a recommendation to the Department of Wildlife Resources for
final approval.
As always, please navigate our lake safely!
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Membership
Committee
Chip
Zimmerman
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Happy New Year from the membership committee. We
are looking forward to the new year and the opportunity to review
and address the survey responses. Thanks to all who participated.
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Native
Plants of Leesville Lake
by
Richard Beaton
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This
quarterly column will be about native plants that live at or
below the 613 foot contour level of Leesville Lake, which
fluctuates between 600 and 613 feet. Each issue will feature a
different species.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Buttonbush is a deciduous shrub which grows 6-12
ft. tall or occasionally taller and 8 ft. wide with lots of
branches bearing glossy green leaves, giving it a bushy
appearance.
Mature spherical pin cushion-like golf ball size
white flowerheads decorate the plants June thru August. Each is
comprised of many scented, creamy-white tubular flowers packed
closely together lasting up to 4 days.
After the flowers are fertilized by a variety of
pollinators, a hard-ball of first green then reddish-brown
nutlets develop and mature from August to November, persisting
into winter. They provide nectar for pollinating insects and
hummingbirds and later food for a variety of waterfowl as well as
beauty for humans.
Known as honey-bells to beekeepers, buttonbush was
cultivated as far back as 1735. It was prized for its long
blooming period during the heat of summer when other plants
wane. It also is used to develop and restore wetlands,
control erosion in riparian areas, and create wildlife habitats.
Sounds like a great fit for Leesville Lake!
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It likes sun but can take a little shade but it
has to have wet soil. It can even grow in 3 ft. of water. In
Leesville Lake it can grow to the 605 but does better a bit
higher. Buttonbush spreads by seeds and also by shoots around the
base coming up from the roots. You can also take a cutting and
stick it into wet ground and it will root. Errant branches can be
pruned back to hold the shape but if it gets unruly, prune back
close to the base in early spring. Taller ones can be pruned to
be a small multi-branched tree.
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Water
Quality Report
Tony
Capuco
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The Leesville Lake Association’s water quality
team has concluded the 2021 season’s water monitoring activities
on Leesville Lake (LVL) and the Pigg River. Dr. Thomas
Shahady is preparing a full report, based on thorough analysis of
data, and this should be available on the Leesville Lake
Association’s (LLA) website in mid-February. Overall, the
health of LVL remains good as no unexpected issues were
noted.
As in past years, our lake remains classified as
mildly eutrophic. This term has been used to describe the
condition of a body of water in which there is an enrichment of
nutrients, typically from surface runoff. A problem with
eutrophication is that it can result in algal blooms, which can
paradoxically reduce the oxygen content of water by preventing
sunlight from penetrating below the surface to support
photosynthetic activity of the plants below and their oxygen
production. The reduced oxygen and the toxins that may be
produced by algal blooms (particularly blue green algae – which
truly are not algae, but cyanobacteria) can seriously impact the
health of fish and other organisms. With that in mind, we
have not observed concerning algal blooms and slight
eutrophication under these conditions may be beneficial to the
lake’s productivity. The absence of algal blooms may be
promoted by the flushing of water through LVL by release of water
from SML during power generation and the regular release of water
downstream at LVL dam. Additionally, the algae may be kept in
check by zooplankton, small fish, and other crustaceans. The
zooplankton content of the water is monitored by Dr.
Shahady. Because a fine balance is required to prevent
oxygen depletion in a mildly eutrophic lake such as LVL, it is
problematic that SML dam operations additionally reduce the
dissolved oxygen content of LVL’s waters. The reason for
this is that turbines in the SML dam are positioned in the SML
water column at depths where there is inherently low dissolved
oxygen. Oxygen loss in SML occurs through the same processes
as observed in LVL. By preferentially generating power with
the turbines that are highest in the water column (greater oxygen
concentration is found in shallower waters), the oxygen tension
in the tailwaters can be improved. However, during late
summer and fall months as oxygen is continually depleted this is
frequently insufficient and oxygen levels in water released
during power generation is low and often fails to meet the
Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) licensing requirements. At
these times, fish can be seen piping for air in the upper regions
of LVL. We have been petitioning APCo to take steps to
rectify this situation. And this will certainly be discussed
at the upcoming meeting of the technical review committee that
provides APCo with guidance on water quality compliance.
The quality of water flowing into LVL is impacted
three sources: SML, Old Woman’s Creek and the Pigg
River. The water released from SML is of high quality (with
the exception of low oxygen content). In years past, Old
Woman’s Creek was classified as impaired by the
EPA. However, efforts to improve water quality of this
stream have greatly improved its quality and monitoring suggests
inflow from this stream no longer has a negative impact on
LVL. The Pigg River stands in contrast. Nutrient
content is high and bacterial content typically exceeds
Virginia’s guidelines for bodies of water used for recreational
purposes. When the Power dam in Rocky Mount was demolished,
the quality of water flowing into LVL from the Pigg River plunged
and the LLA’s water quality team initiated monitoring efforts on
this river. This has been performed in the fall
months. Over the past four years we have found that bacteria
in the river were largely derived from the waste of deer and
cattle. Upper locations on the river showed bacterial
contributions from cattle operations and lower regions, closer to
LVL, showed contributions from deer. The quantity of
bacteria derived from cattle was reasonably consistent, while
contributions from deer were greatly increased following heavy
rainfall. This past season, bacterial content of the Pigg
River was consistent with previous trends. Content is
strongly correlated with stormwater. It appears lower than
usual because our sampling times only captured data during a
relatively dry period, and subsequently we observed a lesser
quantity of bacteria from deer. Furthermore, a considerable
bacterial load was likely due to vegetative decay and
resuspension within the stream bed. This will be discussed
further in the ensuing report.
The water monitoring is realized by the
coordinated efforts of volunteers on our Association’s Water
Quality Committee and those of Dr. Shahady and students at the
University of Lynchburg. Water monitoring of LVL has been
funded by APCo, in accordance with its licensing requirements
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Water
monitoring of the Pigg River has primarily been funded by county
governments as administered by TLAC (Tri-County Lakes
Administrative Commission
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Treasurer’s
Report
Mary
Loiselle
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Happy January! I hope you all had the
happiest holiday season.
Current events include: the tax return for our FY
of September 2020 through August 2021 has been completed and sent
to the IRS. The books will now be reviewed by the Finance
Committee to ensure the documentation for all transactions has
been received, filed and maintained properly. No problems
are expected.
Upcoming tasks are: requesting current year
Beautification Day funds from TLAC and renewing our tax-exempt
status with the Commonwealth of VA. That is on a five-year
cycle and was last completed in 2017.
Thank you again for all of you that paid dues and
those that made optional donations. We appreciate the
financial support and membership commitment made by
everyone. That commitment allows you to voice your opinion
so I encourage you to respond to the survey at Member
Opinion Survey – Leesville Lake Association by
January 31 and tell us what you think. Do you have any ideas
for spending some money?
Thanks to Anne Waterman and Julie Moore for their
time and energies on the Finance Committee.
Enjoy the lake winter and we’ll see you in the
spring!
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DWR Installs Fish Habitat In Leesville Lake
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
2021 was the first year DWR has
installed habitat structures at Leesville Lake. Now there are 16
structures distributed throughout the lower portion of the lake
in various coves from the Leesville Dam to just upstream of mile
marker 7. The structures are made by a company called
"Fishiding" and are constructed from reclaimed
materials, mostly vinyl siding and plastic pallets for the base.
The goal of these structures is to provide
habitat (primarily refuge and protection) for small and young
fish since there isn’t much cover in the lake for small fish to
hide.
Structures were placed so the highest parts of the
habitats were just under the surface at the lowest lake levels;
most are around 10-12 feet deep during average lake levels. They
should not pose any problems for boaters as any motor
encountering these structures during low water events would not
sustain any damage given the flexibility of the materials. The
only hardened part of the structure is the base which extends
about 6 inches high from lake bottom.
Ideally, the structures should be in shallower
water to provide optimum use by young fish but they were placed
as shallow as practical given the lake’s water level
fluctuations. They also provide great locations for anglers as
additional larger fish congregate around these structures
periodically looking for something to eat and because most
species generally like being around structures. Striped bass are
the primary exception as they tend to
be less attracted to cover and spend most of their
time in more open water areas.
For anglers, the structures are most productive
for bluegill, bass, crappie, white perch and sometimes catfish.
Fish utilization of these structures will vary depending on time
of year and water temperatures. Late March-May should be very
productive and they can also be productive throughout most of the
summer and fall. They may be too shallow in the
winter for most fish as water temps get colder and
fish tend to go deeper. The structures are visible on most boat
electronic systems but they can be difficult to locate without
sidescan as vertical electronics requires driving directly over
the structure to find them due to the very limited coverage area
of downscan electronics in shallow water. If anglers want to fish
these structures, they should have a marker (similar to this
marker
to toss next to the structures when they are found
while fishing.
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–-As the new year gets underway,
please remember to submit photos of memorable moments for next
year’s calendar or future newsletters. Click here to submit
–Signs
identifying docks by street address are available. They measure
8" x 28" with 3" black letters. Cost is $30; place
order with Bill Estes at 434-258-6111.
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Looking for a quick hostess gift
or greeting for new neighbors? Consider the 2022 Leesville Lake
Calendar, available for just $12, mailed to your home. Please
click here
to order.
If you ordered a calendar already
and have yet to receive it, please contact Treasurer@Leesvillelake.org
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