Carvins Cove Natural Reserve facts for kids

Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is a giant park in Virginia. It covers about 12,700 acres, which is like 51 square kilometers! This makes it one of the biggest city parks in the entire United States. It's managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority and the City of Roanoke.

Inside the park, you'll find the Carvins Cove Reservoir. There's also a big mountain ridge called Brushy Mountain. This mountain rises about 1,200 feet (366 meters) above the lake's water.

How Carvins Cove Was Made

The Carvins Cove Reservoir was created in the 1930s. People built a dam across Carvins Creek to make this large lake. For many years, this reservoir was the main source of drinking water for the City of Roanoke.

Before the reservoir was built, a small community called Carvins Cove used to be there. The people living there had to move. Sometimes, during very dry periods, you can still see parts of the old roads and building foundations from that community.

Who Owns and Protects the Land

The Western Virginia Water Authority owns the reservoir itself. They also own the land around it up to a certain height. The City of Roanoke owns the land higher up on the mountainside.

In 2008, the City of Roanoke decided to protect a large part of Carvins Cove. They put about 6,185 acres (25 square kilometers) under a special agreement. This agreement is called a conservation easement. It means the land is protected from being built on in ways that would harm nature. This was the largest conservation easement ever made in Virginia at that time. It helps keep the Cove wild and beautiful for everyone.

Fun Things to Do at Carvins Cove

Carvins Cove is a great place for outdoor adventures! Many fun activities are allowed around the reservoir.

Exploring the Trails

You can go mountain biking on many trails. There are also trails for hiking and horseback riding. If you love mountain biking, you might even find races held here each year. Some races are very long, like the "XXC" endurance race. It covers 43 miles (69 kilometers) of trails and includes climbing over 6,000 feet (1,829 meters)!

Some downhill trails are only for expert riders. They can drop over 1,000 feet (305 meters) in elevation.

Boating and Fishing

You can also go boating and fishing on the reservoir. However, there are strict rules to follow. These rules help keep the water clean and safe for drinking. For example, in the early 1990s, rules were put in place to prevent tiny creatures called zebra mussels from getting into the water. These mussels can cause big problems for water systems.

A mountain bike rider enjoying a trail at Carvins Cove.

Images for kids

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  A mountain bike rider enjoying a trail at Carvins Cove.