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The Temporary Forest Closure Order went into effect on October 2, 2024 and will be effect until October 1, 2025, unless rescinded earlier.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| Property | Status |
|---|
| Clinch Mountain WMA | Clinch 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 WMA | Open EXCEPT Harrison Ridge Road | | Hidden Valley WMA | Hidden Valley Lake Road open, boat ramp open. Skycraft Road inaccessible - KEEP OFF to allow utility crews to complete their work | | Stewart’s Creek WMA | Upper access is now open for vehicles. | | Big Survey WMA | Open |
Boating Access Sites| Waterbody | Access Location | County | Status |
|---|
| Claytor Lake | Allisonia | Pulaski | Inaccessible | | Claytor Lake | Dublin | Pulaski | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Blackford Bridge | Russell | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Carterton | Russell | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Pucketts Hole | Russell | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Nashs Ford | Russell | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Clinchport | Scott | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Dungannon | Scott | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | State Line | Scott | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Saint Paul | Wise | Inaccessible | | Clinch River | Rexrena | Scott | Inaccessible | | Hidden Valley Lake | Hidden Valley Lake | Washington | Open | | New River | Byllesby Pool | Carroll | Inaccessible | | New River | Rich Creek | Giles | Inaccessible | | New River | Narrows | Giles | Inaccessible | | New River | Snidow Park | Giles | Inaccessible | | New River | Mouth of Wilson | Grayson | Inaccessible | | New River | Bridle Creek | Grayson | Inaccessible | | New River | Baywood | Grayson | Inaccessible | | New River | Old Town | Grayson | Inaccessible | | New River | Riverside | Grayson | Inaccessible | | New River | Independence | Grayson | Inaccessible | | New River | Whitethorne | Montgomery | Inaccessible | | New River | Allisonia | Pulaski | Inaccessible | | New River | Harry Dehaven | Pulaski | Inaccessible | | New River | Peppers Ferry | Montgomery | Inaccessible | | New River | Austinville | Wythe | Inaccessible | | New River | Loafers Rest | Wythe | Inaccessible | | New River | Ivanhoe | Carroll | Inaccessible | | New River | Claytor Dam | Montgomery | Open | | N Fork Holston | Saltville | Smith | Inaccessible | | N Fork Holston | Clinch Mountain | Washington | Inaccessible | | S Fork Holston | Damascus Bridge | Washington | Inaccessible | | Lovills Creek | Lovills Creek | Carroll | Inaccessible | | Powell River | Flanary Bridge | Lee | Inaccessible | | Powell River | Beach Grove | Lee | Inaccessible | | Powell River | Poteet Ferry | Lee | Inaccessible | | Powell River | Estes Bros. | Lee | Inaccessible | | S. Holston Lake | Whitaker Hollow Park | Washington | Inaccessible | | S. Holston Lake | Avens | Washington | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Alma | Page | Inaccessible | | South River | Basic Park | Waynesboro | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Bentonville | Warren | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Berry’s | Clarke | Inaccessible | | Shenandoah River | Castleman’s Ferry | Clarke | Inaccessible | | N. Fork Shenandoah River | Chapmans | Shenandoah | Inaccessible | | Rappahannock River | City Docks | Fredericksburg | Inaccessible | | Rivanna River | Crofton | Fluvanna | Inaccessible | | N. Fork Shenandoah River | Deer Rapids | Shenandoah | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Elkton | Rockingham | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Fosters | Page | Inaccessible | | Shenandoah River | Front Royal | Warren | Inaccessible | | James River | Glasgow | Rockbridge | Inaccessible | | South River | Grotto’s Park | Rockingham | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Grove Hill | Page | Inaccessible | | James River | Hardware River | Fluvanna | Inaccessible | | Hardware River | Hardware River (Rt. 6) | Fluvanna | Inaccessible | | James River | Howardsville | Albemarle | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Inns Keep | Page | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Island Ford | Rockingham | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Karo | Warren | Inaccessible | | Shenandoah River | Lockes | Clarke | Inaccessible | | James River | Maidens | Powhatan | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Massanutten | Page | Inaccessible | | Potomac River | McKimmey | Loudoun | Inaccessible | | Shenandoah River | Morgans Ford | Warren | Inaccessible | | | Hadley | | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Newport | Page | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Port Republic | Rockingham | Inaccessible | | South River | Ridgeview | Waynesboro | Inaccessible | | N. Fork Shenandoah River | Riverton | Warren | Inaccessible | | James River | Scottsville | Albemarle | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Shenandoah Riverside | Page | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | Simpsons | Warren | Inaccessible | | James River | Watkins | Powhatan | Inaccessible | | S. Fork Shenandoah River | White House | Page | Inaccessible | | James River | New Canton | Buckingham | Inaccessible | | James River | Columbia | Cumberland | Inaccessible | | James River | Cartersville | Cumberland | Inaccessible | | James River | Wingina | Nelson | Inaccessible | | James River | Midway | Nelson | Inaccessible | | James River | Bent Creek | Appomattox | Inaccessible | | Slate River Watershed | Slate River | Buckingham | Inaccessible | | Staunton River | Clover | Halifax | Inaccessible | | Hyco River | Hyco | Halifax | Inaccessible | | Laurel Bed Lake | Laurel Bed Lake | Russell | Open |
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