Lake Anna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lake Anna | |
|---|---|
| Location | Virginia |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 17 mi (27 km) |
| Surface area | 13,000 acres (53 km²) |
Lake Anna is one of the largest fresh-water inland lakes in Virginia, covering an area of 13,000 acres (53 km²), and located 72 miles (116 km) south of Washington, D.C. in Louisa and Spotsylvania Counties (and partially in Orange County at the northern tips). The lake is easily accessible from Richmond and Charlottesville, and is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state.
The man-made lake is formed by a dam on the North Anna River. In 1968, Virginia Electric and Power Company (now Dominion), purchased 18,000 acres (73 km²) of farmlands in three counties along the North Anna and Pamunkey Rivers to provide clean, fresh water to cool the nuclear power generating plants at the North Anna Nuclear Generating Station adjacent to the lake. By 1972 the lake bottom was cleared of all timber and the dam was nearing completion. It was projected to take 3 years to completely fill the lake, but with the additional rainfall from hurricane Agnes, the lake was full in only 11 months. The first communities broke ground at about that same time and from that beginning, the lake has grown to over 120 different communities dotting the shore.
Lake Anna is approximately 17 miles long from tip to tip, with some 200 miles (300 km) of shoreline. Gaining in popularity as a vacation destination, a retirement destination, and a 2nd-home location for many, the artificial lake offers swimming, sailing, boating, world-class fishing, and multiple annual triathlons. Surrounding attractions include vineyards, antique shopping, golf, historic sites, theme parks, and hiking. To get the most out of the lake, one can rent a boat from various local marinas and businesses. Sailboat enthusiasts will prefer the more open, wide water appeal of the southern end of the lake (note: the lake's several bridges, including the main 208 bridge, are too low for a sailboat to pass beneath). Water sports junkies tend to enjoy the mid-lake area, while the fishing crowd has lots of hot spots in nooks and crannies of the northern "on Golden pond" end. Anglers fish for over 30 species of fish including large mouth bass, striped bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, bluegill and white and yellow perch. Weekly fishing leagues keep our full time and local residents happy while sanctioned tournaments bring fishermen and women from afar.
Lake Anna is divided into two sides: the public side (also known as the "COLD" side) and the private side (also known as the "HOT" side). The public side is roughly 9,000 acres (36 km²), while the private side is roughly 4,000 acres (16 km²). The private side is formed of three main bodies of water, connected by navigable canals. The public and private sides are divided by three stone dikes. The private side has no marinas or public access ramps; therefore, only property owners have access to the waters of the private side. The public side has several marinas and boat launches, including the state park. Therefore, the public side sees significantly higher boat traffic than the private side, especially on summer weekends.
The two sides are also known as the hot side and the cold side, because the public side provides cool water to the power plant, while the private side receives warm water discharge from the power plant. The private side can be substantially warmer than the public side, especially near the discharge point, where it can be too hot to swim. The private side is warmer and has an extended watersports season. Water does circulate back out of the private side into the public side through underground channels; therefore, the public side is warmer in the southern area near the dam. In the winter, some fish migrate to these warmer waters. Recently there has been some controversy over the power company's preliminary efforts to secure permits to potentially add two additional reactors (for a total of four) in the 2020's. Opponents, both property owners and environmentalists, claim additional reactors will increase the water temperature and lower the water level, particularly on the private side. The power company has filed an environmental impact study with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
A state park, complete with picnic areas and boat launching ramps, is located directly on the lake, on the public side, making it available to everyone. The park also has a beach area with snack bar, docks, an exhibit center showing how the lake was created and miles of hiking and horse trails. One can tour remains of Goodwin gold mine and pan for gold. The original plantation house still stands in ruins and a hiking trail leads to it.
The state park is adding cabins for overnight lodging. Visitors also can stay at waterfront hotels, or in any of dozens of available vacation rental waterfront homes.
