Claytor Lake Sparkles in the Sunshine ~ Once Again!

In late September 2024, communities across the Appalachians fell victim to devastating flooding and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Claytor Lake, a haven for outdoor lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, was one of many waterways thrown into disarray by the historic storm.“There was so much debris, not just wood, but hazardous materials and trash, that it appeared as though you could walk across the water,” says Laura Walters, chair of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors. “It looked like a carpet of trash and junk.”Helene swept through the New River Valley on Sept. 26, pushing the New River to crest at over 22 feet in Pulaski County two days later. “It was about the worst I’ve seen,” recalls Dave Dobyns, cleanup supervisor for the Friends of Claytor Lake [FOCL]. “I could look across and see that the lake was completely solid with rubbish. You could see boats, docks and other things floating in the debris field. It was absolutely devastating.” The Starting Point A Virginia Tech assessment estimates around 135 acres of debris floated along the lake’s surface immediately following Helene’s flooding impact. As shocking of a scene as it was, there was no time to waste. FOCL, a non-profit organization, sprang into action, focusing its efforts on minimizing environmental damage and securing personal property.“We were directed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] to get all hazardous materials up first, such as grills, gas tanks, propane tanks, refrigerators and more,” explains Steve Rapp, executive director of FOCL. “Along the way, we picked up personal things like boats, Jet Skis and docks.”Early in the clean-up, FOCL stationed an excavator at Claytor Lake State Park to pull out larger items. According to Dobyns, FOCL extracted more than 40 propane tanks from the water, including one with 250 gallons.From the day after the flooding began until late November, FOCL volunteers worked 10-hour shifts daily, moving and collecting debris to make operations more manageable. “Our volunteers worked hard to do everything we could for  clean-up and water quality testing,” Rapp adds. “It’s the hardest working volunteer crew I’ve ever been on.”After a few weeks of efforts, alongside Pulaski County Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and with support from local and state representatives, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] and FEMA initiated major debris removal operations in mid-October.  The Middle Point In Virginia’s largest debris removal mission since 2003, USACE mobilized heavy equipment including barges, hydraulic excavators, survey vessels, and a 300-ton crane to Claytor Lake State Park. The equipment was a big help for FOCL, whose equipment had suffered already. “We had to get a motor for our Jon boat to help corral debris,” Dobyns states. “Both engines on our push boats had the lower units torn up by debris, so we had to replace those.”Alongside USACE manpower, the clean-up process was expedited to a new level. A task that seemed insurmountable just weeks prior — one that many believed would take years to overcome — suddenly became achievable. Efforts continued through the remainder of 2024 by both FOCL and USACE. While USACE conducted large-scale operations, FOCL started cleaning docks and coves around the lake where trash had settled. According to FOCL’s 2024 clean-up report, the organization removed 4,785 tons of debris from the lake, the majority of which came from Helene. Among the 319 roll-off loads were 36 tires, 189 bags of trash, 11 barrels, 32 docks, alongside gas tanks, refrigerators and other hazardous materials. Dobyns is full of praise. “I’m really proud of our foreman, our assistant foreman and crew members, who stayed with it all the way. It’s really hard work.”  The End Result Following USACE’s final subsurface clean-up in highly accessible locations such as swimming, boating and launch ramp areas, Claytor Lake was back to its sparkling self by January. “I’m overjoyed,” Dobyns smiles. “You can see the results. From what I saw at the end of September, I thought it would take years to restore the lake.’”“Claytor Lake is clean and beautiful, and we’re excited for folks to come out and support our businesses, which are ready to serve everyone,” Rapp declares. “Everyone’s itching to get back on the water.”Although the lake is again in pristine condition, FOCL has no plans of slowing down on their mission to conserve and protect Claytor Lake and the surrounding community. “We have a crew of six people, and we were out on the lake until the Army Corps of Engineers was able to get involved,” Dobyns explains. “Our guys did an amazing job, and they’re getting their equipment ready again for whatever comes along this summer.” Text by Evan HullEvan Hull is a Pulaski County native and freelance writer who is thrilled to be getting back on “his” Claytor Lake. Photos courtesy of Friends of Claytor Lake