January 01, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with FEMA, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and Friends of Claytor Lake, has officially completed the post-Hurricane Idalia debris removal at Claytor Lake. This extensive effort has not only restored the lake to its natural condition but also reopened recreational opportunities for the community.
Debris collected included modular barges, construction waste, and a 40-cubic yard roll-off container of miscellaneous materials such as vegetation, building remains, and potentially hazardous items. Once collected, the debris was sorted with the help of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and then transported to a designated disposal site.
A visual comparison highlights the impact of the clean-up, with images showing the lake before and after debris removal. These efforts were praised by Anthony Funkhouser, USACE Norfolk District Commander, who emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination:
“Working closely with our federal, state, and local partners, we successfully removed all floating and submerged debris, returning Claytor Lake to its pre-storm conditions. We appreciate the patience of residents and visitors as we completed this critical work.”
Now that the operations center has been demobilized, both the Claytor Lake State Park boat ramp and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) boat ramp off Bear Drive have resumed daily operations.
DCR Director Matt Wells commended the efforts:
“The cleanup of Claytor Lake is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our federal and state agencies, park rangers, and community members. Their combined efforts have restored this natural space, showing what can be achieved when we work together for the benefit of our public lands.”
However, some infrastructure repair is still needed. Heavy equipment used during the cleanup caused damage to the boat ramps and parking lots, which will undergo repairs and regrading. Temporary closures may be required during this phase, with updates to be announced in the near future.