Current water levels at Lake Anna have some worried about what’s to come this fall.
“We have been here for a long time and have seen the water much lower, but we have a series of steps we can take to ensure our visiting boats can use our ramps and docks regardless,” High Point Marina owner Carlos Wood told Life & Times, “I’ve seen it 2.5 feet low this time of year. It’s a not big deal. We’ll get rain in October and November and the water will come up again. If it gets 2.5’ down we add an extra step down to the docks, but only if we see the water not coming back up for the spring.”
Seasonal low water levels are not uncommon at Lake Anna, however the ongoing drought conditions that began early in the summer are pointing to a potential problem this fall for boat owners without significant rainfall.
Tropical Storm Debby’s precipitation levels around August 8 were well under predicted amounts and anticipated water gains were not realized. The lake level is currently at 248.9’ according to Dominion Energy. 250’ above mean sea level is normal. With no rain, minimal flow and normal temperatures, the lake is expected to drop around one inch per day due to evaporation and the minimal required dam release.
Boaters will need to use caution when running flats, points and humps that are otherwise considered navigable during normal water levels. Extra standoff space will be needed when boating around marked hazards.
Checking with annual rainfall totals reveals the lake can expect gradual relief, as Wood noted, this fall and early winter with lower daily air temperatures (and thus less evaporation) and an average of 4.5 inches of rainfall in September and 3.5 inches in October and November.
Part of what contributed to the rapid lowering of the lake level this summer were extremely high temperatures in July/early August and scant rainfall in June (1.9 inches versus a normal average of 3.9 inches). August did see a near normal amount of rain fall in the area with 2.80 inches actual versus three inches on average.
In the meantime, boaters will need extra caution when visiting the lake over the Labor Day holiday weekend and need to make adjustments when using the various boat ramps at the marinas until the water level returns to normal.
