Lake Powell (Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Powell |
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 Lake Powell
Location in Virginia
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| Location | James City County, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°14′16″N 76°44′48″W / 37.237868°N 76.746528°W |
| Type | man-made lake |
Lake Powell is a man-made lake located in James City County, Virginia. In 2006, heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ernesto caused the dirt dam that held the lake to break. This made the lake empty out.
About Lake Powell: Its Past and Location
Lake Powell is found in James City County, Virginia. It is very close to famous historic places like Jamestown and colonial Williamsburg. The lake was created by building a dam across Mill Creek.
How Old is Lake Powell?
No one knows exactly when Lake Powell was first built. Some people believe it was created as early as the 1750s. The first clear records of the lake are from the 1800s. These records came from a group called the Peninsula Water Company.
How Lake Powell Got Its Name
In 1924, the Powell Family bought the lake. This is how the lake got its current name. Before the dam broke, the lake covered about 81 acres of land.
Who Owned the Lake?
The land around the lake was all private property. Even the lake itself was owned by a private person, not the public.
When the Dam Broke
The dam holding back Lake Powell has broken many times before. It broke four times just since 1991. The first big break happened in 1999 because of Hurricane Floyd. The most recent break was on October 7, 2006. This happened when heavy rains from Tropical Storm Ernesto caused a large part of the dam to burst.
What the Lake Looks Like Now
Today, the area where the lake used to be has muddy water. A lot of plants and brush have started to grow there.
Plans to Fix Lake Powell
Soon after the last dam break, people started talking about rebuilding the dam. However, nothing was done for a while. There was an idea to use money from the public to help pay for the repairs.
How the Broken Dam Affected Property Values
When Lake Powell emptied, the value of properties along its former shore went down a lot. For example, in 2007, property values dropped by 17%. They continued to drop by 10-20% each year after that.
Idea for a Wetlands Bank
In early 2010, the owners of Lake Powell had a new idea. They wanted to turn the empty lake bed into a "wetlands mitigation bank." This means they could sell special credits to builders. These credits would allow builders to develop land elsewhere, even if it affected wetlands. Each credit could be sold for up to $25,000 per acre.
Why People Opposed the Wetlands Bank
This plan was immediately opposed by the people who owned property around the lake. They wanted the lake to be restored, not turned into wetlands. The plan then went through a government review process. The Army Corps of Engineers started this review.
Why the Wetlands Bank Plan Was Rejected
In September, the Army Corps of Engineers said no to the wetlands bank idea. They had questions about who owned what land. They also said that a wetlands bank needs to be natural and self-sufficient. This plan would have needed a special structure to control water levels. Also, the area had already become very natural since the break.
Current Plans for Restoration
The current plans are to restore Lake Powell. This would be paid for by a special tax on property owners around the lake. Public money would also be used. The homeowners had already voted to approve this tax.
Cost of Restoration
Since the dam first broke, the cost to fix the lake has been a big discussion. Some estimates were as high as $2.8 million. However, these numbers seem too high. The actual cost is likely closer to $750,000.
Public Access and Recreation
If public money is used for the repair, Lake Powell would be open to the public for the first time. People would be able to use it for recreation, like boating or fishing.
Another Idea: A Nutrient Bank
Recently, another idea came up: turning the lake into a "nutrient bank." This would work similarly to the wetlands bank idea. Companies would buy credits to help reduce pollution. But for this plan, the dam would need to be rebuilt and the lake restored. This would make the property owners happy.
Different Goals for Lake Powell
Plans for Lake Powell's future have been affected by different groups wanting different things.
- Property Owners: People who own land around the lake really want it restored. They want the lake back for its beauty and for fun activities. They also want to stop their property values from going down.
- Lake Owners: The lake's owners could make a lot of money by turning the empty lake into wetlands credits.
- State Officials: State officials also did not like the wetlands bank idea. They were worried about how property lines would change if the lake banks were altered.
Right now, it seems most likely that the lake will be restored. This will happen with money from both property owners and the public.
