Hydroelectricity Is Coming To Lake Moomaw

Warm Springs, Va – Hydroelectricity comes to Lake Moomaw. This is District Ranger Patrick Sheridan from the James River and Warm Springs Ranger Districts.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved a license for Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership to construct and operate a hydroelectric facility at Lake Moomaw. The 3.7 megawatt project will be located on approximately 4 acres of Army Corp of Engineers land on Gathright Dam. The hydroelectric project has been designed to avoid effects to water recreation, fishing, and lake levels. An implementation date has not yet been announced.

Blowing Springs and McClintic Campgrounds recently opened for the 2012 season. Campgrounds at Lake Moomaw will begin to open on April 27.

The release of projects to receive Secure Rural Schools funding has occurred. Bath County was awarded five grants totaling over $100,000. The participating agreements to manage the grant projects have been executed. Most of the grant projects are required to be completed this year. Through the Secure Rural Schools Act, National Forest revenues are returned to counties for use in natural resource projects.

The James River Ranger District has been offered a donation of approximately 70 acres of land in the Johns Run area of Alleghany County. A donation of 6 acres in Highland County has been offered to the Warm Springs Ranger District. The process to accept these donations from private individuals will begin soon.