Members of the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) voted at the May meeting to create a request for proposal to contract out the maintenance of lake’s buoy system.
There are 70 total LAAC buoys with 22 No Wake buoys at bridges on the public side of the lake, six on the Waste Heat Treatment Facility (hot side) and 34 hazard buoys on the public side of the lake and eight on the WHTF. Each buoy costs over $250 and each is also equipped with a $120 flashing night light. The annual budget to maintain them is over $6,000 using volunteer staff.
LAAC received $8K from both Louisa and Spotsylvania Counties for FY26 and $2K for Orange County for a total of $18K to be used for buoy maintenance and hydrilla management.
Using 2025 LAAC figures, $6K will be used to maintain the buoys. The group budgeted $18K for hydrilla management. The total of $20K doesn’t leave room for unforeseen expenses, is the minimum amount for both duties and creates a budget deficit.
Over last winter’s meetings LAAC Chair Christopher C. McCotter noted the group would not be able to continue maintaining the buoys and managing hydrilla without a change and urged the committee to contract out the buoy maintenance.
In general, the work will consist of providing labor support services as needed to maintain a safe boating environment and cover the 42 hazard buoys and the 20 No Wake bridge buoys.
LAAC will continue to provide the materials for the maintenance including buoys, appropriate wrappers, lights , anchoring system components and concrete for the anchoring molds.
“For years I have been wanting to take this duty out of our amazing volunteers’ hands and put it in those of professionals with the boats, gear and manpower to safely and efficiently maintain these buoys. This RFP is hopefully the answer.”
Navigation & Safety Subcommittee Chair Barbara Aikens told Life & Times the No Wake buoys are either struck by boats or vandalized at a rate never before seen.
“We have nearly constant reports of stray buoys, non-compliant buoys, buoys missing night lights and caps and destroyed buoys. It’s been difficult to keep up with the rate of attrition this season.”
The group received one bid for buoy maintenance from Pittman Towing, the company that operates Lake Anna TowBoat. LAAC will take action on the proposal at its late July meeting. See www.lakeannalife.com for the results.
