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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 most streams in Grayson and Washington counties until further notice. These two counties 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.

Additionally, due to the closures within the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, DWR will not be stocking trout in any streams located on USDA Forest Service land in Grayson, Scott, Smyth, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties.

DWR appreciates our trout anglers’ patience as the area tries to recover from this devastating event.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests ClosuresThe USDA Forest Service George Washington and Jefferson National Forests has closed the Clinch Ranger District and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in response to Hurricane Helene. These areas have experienced widespread power outages, severe flooding, fallen trees, and impassable roads. Several recreation areas on the Eastern Divide and North River Ranger Districts have also been closed due to damage from flooding. The Temporary Forest Closure Order went into effect on October 2, 2024 and will be effect until October 1, 2025, unless rescinded earlier. Please check the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests website for the latest information.
Numerous DWR Facilities Closed Due to Storm DamageUpdated October 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM
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.

In addition, due to damage from Hurricane Helene, DWR has closed several wildlife management areas located in the western part of the Commonwealth. Due to continuing damage evaluations, DWR doesn’t have an estimated re-opening date for these facilities. DWR encourages everyone to avoid any body of water in the western region of the state and to refrain from visiting any wildlife management area in the western region of the state until a full facility assessment can be completed. Please see the tables below for a full list of affected properties and status updates.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is gifted with passionate constituents that value access to the public lands it manages. The Department understands that a lot of people want to see these closed areas reopened as soon as possible and have offered to assist in any way they can. DWR appreciates the public’s spirit of volunteerism during this time but cannot currently accept volunteer assistance in this endeavor. DWR thanks all that want to help and suggests registering with the Department Volunteer Coordinator so they can assist with future projects.

In addition, if an area is closed, no one outside of Department personnel and hired contractors are allowed on the property. Do not attempt to enter a closed property to clear areas on your own.

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
Clinch Mountain WMAClinch Mountain WMA is now open. The DWR Lands and Access team cleared 21 miles of public access road to open the Department’s largest WMA.
Crooked Creek WMAOpen EXCEPT Harrison Ridge Road
Hidden Valley WMAHidden Valley Lake Road open, boat ramp open. Skycraft Road inaccessible - KEEP OFF to allow utility crews to complete their work
Stewart’s Creek WMAUpper access is now open for vehicles.
Big Survey WMAOpen
Boating Access Sites
WaterbodyAccess LocationCountyStatus
Claytor LakeAllisoniaPulaskiInaccessible
Claytor LakeDublinPulaskiInaccessible
Clinch RiverBlackford BridgeRussellInaccessible
Clinch RiverCartertonRussellInaccessible
Clinch RiverPucketts HoleRussellInaccessible
Clinch RiverNashs FordRussellInaccessible
Clinch RiverClinchportScottInaccessible
Clinch RiverDungannonScottInaccessible
Clinch RiverState LineScottInaccessible
Clinch RiverSaint PaulWiseInaccessible
Clinch RiverRexrenaScottInaccessible
Hidden Valley LakeHidden Valley LakeWashingtonOpen
New RiverByllesby PoolCarrollInaccessible
New RiverRich CreekGilesInaccessible
New RiverNarrowsGilesInaccessible
New RiverSnidow ParkGilesInaccessible
New RiverMouth of WilsonGraysonInaccessible
New RiverBridle CreekGraysonInaccessible
New RiverBaywoodGraysonInaccessible
New RiverOld TownGraysonInaccessible
New RiverRiversideGraysonInaccessible
New RiverIndependenceGraysonInaccessible
New RiverWhitethorneMontgomeryInaccessible
New RiverAllisoniaPulaskiInaccessible
New RiverHarry DehavenPulaskiInaccessible
New RiverPeppers FerryMontgomeryInaccessible
New RiverAustinvilleWytheInaccessible
New RiverLoafers RestWytheInaccessible
New RiverIvanhoeCarrollInaccessible
New RiverClaytor DamMontgomeryOpen
N Fork HolstonSaltvilleSmithInaccessible
N Fork HolstonClinch MountainWashingtonInaccessible
S Fork HolstonDamascus BridgeWashingtonInaccessible
Lovills CreekLovills CreekCarrollInaccessible
Powell RiverFlanary BridgeLeeInaccessible
Powell RiverBeach GroveLeeInaccessible
Powell RiverPoteet FerryLeeInaccessible
Powell RiverEstes Bros.LeeInaccessible
S. Holston LakeWhitaker Hollow ParkWashingtonInaccessible
S. Holston LakeAvensWashingtonInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverAlmaPageInaccessible
South RiverBasic ParkWaynesboroInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverBentonvilleWarrenInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverBerry’sClarkeInaccessible
Shenandoah RiverCastleman’s FerryClarkeInaccessible
N. Fork Shenandoah RiverChapmansShenandoahInaccessible
Rappahannock RiverCity DocksFredericksburgInaccessible
Rivanna RiverCroftonFluvannaInaccessible
N. Fork Shenandoah RiverDeer RapidsShenandoahInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverElktonRockinghamInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverFostersPageInaccessible
Shenandoah RiverFront RoyalWarrenInaccessible
James RiverGlasgowRockbridgeInaccessible
South RiverGrotto’s ParkRockinghamInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverGrove HillPageInaccessible
James RiverHardware RiverFluvannaInaccessible
Hardware RiverHardware River (Rt. 6)FluvannaInaccessible
James RiverHowardsvilleAlbemarleInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverInns KeepPageInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverIsland FordRockinghamInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverKaroWarrenInaccessible
Shenandoah RiverLockesClarkeInaccessible
James RiverMaidensPowhatanInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverMassanuttenPageInaccessible
Potomac RiverMcKimmeyLoudounInaccessible
Shenandoah RiverMorgans FordWarrenInaccessible
 Hadley Inaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverNewportPageInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverPort RepublicRockinghamInaccessible
South RiverRidgeviewWaynesboroInaccessible
N. Fork Shenandoah RiverRivertonWarrenInaccessible
James RiverScottsvilleAlbemarleInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverShenandoah RiversidePageInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverSimpsonsWarrenInaccessible
James RiverWatkinsPowhatanInaccessible
S. Fork Shenandoah RiverWhite HousePageInaccessible
James RiverNew CantonBuckinghamInaccessible
James RiverColumbiaCumberlandInaccessible
James RiverCartersvilleCumberlandInaccessible
James RiverWinginaNelsonInaccessible
James RiverMidwayNelsonInaccessible
James RiverBent CreekAppomattoxInaccessible
Slate River WatershedSlate RiverBuckinghamInaccessible
Staunton RiverCloverHalifaxInaccessible
Hyco RiverHycoHalifaxInaccessible
Laurel Bed LakeLaurel Bed LakeRussellOpen