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Numerous DWR Facilities Closed Due to Storm Damage

Important Notices

Trout Stocking Changes in Southwest Virginia Resulting from Hurricane HeleneDue to the recent devastation resulting from Hurricane Helene the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will suspend trout stocking in the streams listed below until further notice. These areas were the most heavily impacted in the region and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The decision to suspend trout stocking was made with public safety in mind and to allow recovery efforts to continue unimpeded.

DWR appreciates our trout anglers’ patience as the area tries to recover from this devastating event.

Trout Waters Closed to Stocking (Updated November 18, 2024)
  • Scott County
    • Bark Camp Lake (USFS)
  • Smyth County
    • Comers Creek (USFS)
    • Cressy Creek (USFS)
    • Dickey Creek (USFS)
    • Hurricane Creek (USFS)
  • Washington County
    • Straight Branch (USFS)
    • Tennessee Laurel
    • Valley Creek
    • Whitetop Laurel (lower) (USFS)
    • Please note that as a result of the damage to Route 58 near Damascus, the upper stocked section of Whitetop Laurel Creek and Beartree Lake are only accessible by traveling from the east (from Konnarock) on Route 58.
George Washington and Jefferson National ForestsIn response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene, some areas on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Clinch Ranger District are closed. Please check the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests website for the latest information.
Numerous DWR Facilities Closed Due to Storm DamageUpdated November 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Due to recent flood events, water levels and flow rates are extremely high in rivers throughout Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Regions 2, 3, & 4. DWR boating access sites in those regions may not be accessible at this time. Staff is currently working to evaluate sites and restore access as conditions allow. Concerns include slippery ramp and dock surfaces; significantly higher than normal water levels; and trees, trash and other debris that could be floating on the surface or just below the waterline.

Please see the tables below for a full list of affected properties and status updates.

Department personnel are working hard to reopen properties as quickly as possible. While some areas and facilities may take days to clear, others could open faster. Be sure to check this page regularly for updates and before you plan to head to a DWR managed property.

Wildlife Management Areas and DWR Facilities
PropertyStatus
Hidden Valley WMASkycraft Drive, a seasonal public access road, is now open on Hidden Valley WMA. Hidden Valley Lake Road and the boat ramp are also open.
Stewart’s Creek WMAUpper access is now open for vehicles.
Boating Access Sites
WaterbodyAccess LocationCountyStatus
Claytor LakeAllisoniaPulaskiOpen
Claytor LakeDublinPulaskiInaccessible
Hyco RiverHycoHalifaxAccess restored; use caution
James RiverGlasgowRockbridgeAccess restored; use caution
James RiverScottsvilleAlbemarleOpen
James RiverHowardsvilleAlbemarleOpen
James RiverNew CantonBuckinghamOpen
James RiverColumbiaCumberlandOpen
James RiverCartersvilleCumberlandOpen
James RiverWinginaNelsonOpen
James RiverMidwayNelsonOpen
James RiverBent CreekAppomattoxOpen
James RiverWatkinsPowhatanOpen
James RiverMaidensPowhatanOpen
James RiverHardware RiverFluvannaOpen
Lovills CreekLovills CreekCarrollOpen
New RiverByllesby PoolCarrollOpen
New RiverRich CreekGilesOpen
New RiverNarrowsGilesOpen
New RiverSnidow ParkGilesOpen
New RiverMouth of WilsonGraysonInaccessible
New RiverBridle CreekGraysonOpen
New RiverBaywoodGraysonOpen
New RiverOld TownGraysonOpen
New RiverRiversideGraysonOpen
New RiverIndependenceGraysonOpen
New RiverWhitethorneMontgomeryOpen
New RiverAllisoniaPulaskiOpen
New RiverHarry DehavenPulaskiOpen
New RiverPeppers FerryMontgomeryInaccessible
New RiverAustinvilleWytheOpen
New RiverLoafers RestWytheOpen
New RiverIvanhoeCarrollOpen
New RiverClaytor DamMontgomeryOpen
Rappahannock RiverCity DocksFredericksburgAccess restored; use caution
Rivanna RiverCroftonFluvannaAccess restored; use caution
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverAlmaPageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverBentonvilleWarrenOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverBerry’sClarkeOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverElktonRockinghamOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverFostersPageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverGrove HillPageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverInns KeepPageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverIsland FordRockinghamOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverKaroWarrenOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverMassanuttenPageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverNewportPageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverPort RepublicRockinghamOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverShenandoah RiversidePageOpen
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverSimpsonsWarrenAccess restored; use caution
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverWhite HousePageOpen
S. Holston LakeWhitaker Hollow ParkWashingtonOpen
S. Holston LakeAvensWashingtonInaccessible
South RiverRidgeviewWaynesboroOpen
South RiverGrotto’s ParkRockinghamOpen
South RiverBasic ParkWaynesboroClosed
Staunton RiverCloverHalifaxAccess restored; use caution