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Virginia's No Discharge Zones
Virginia's No Discharge Zones
A "No Discharge Zone ” is an area of a waterbody or an entire waterbody into which the discharge of sewage (whether treated or untreated) from all vessels is completely prohibited.
Virginia has two zones:
- Smith Mountain Lake (an inland reservoir located in the Piedmont physiographic province of west central Virginia).
- Lynnhaven River (in southeastern Virginia).
Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake No Discharge Zone. Larger version of graphic. These maps should not be used as navigation aids.
The Smith Mountain Lake No Discharge Zone includes Smith Mountain Lake, from Smith Mountain Dam upstream to the 795.0 foot contour line (normal pool elevation) in all tributaries, including waters to above the confluence with Back Creek in the Roanoke River arm, and to the Brooks Mill Bridge (Route 834) on the Blackwater River arm. The lake is approximately 20,000 acres in area, forms 500 miles of shoreline, and is bordered by the counties of Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania. The lake is located in west central Virginia and fed by two main tributaries, the Roanoke River and the Blackwater River, as well as other minor tributaries. It was formed in 1965 after the completion of the Smith Mountain Hydroelectric Dam and reached full pond in 1966.
Smith Mountain Lake is an exceptional Virginia state resource with uses that now go much beyond hydroelectric power generation. State water quality standards for this segment require that all uses be met and also designate the lake as a public water supply. The lake, however, is best known for its tourism and recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, swimming and shoreside activities. The area surrounding the lake contains public access areas, beaches, marinas and boat launching facilities, campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, a State park and the site of plans for another lakefront park. The lake is well known for its trophy-size striped bass and has for several decades been considered one of the best striped bass fishing locations in the Southeast. Large and smallmouth bass are plentiful, and walleye, rock bass, white bass, yellow perch, flathead catfish, crappie and bluegills are abundant as well. Originally popular for second homes, the lake now has an estimated 5,500 full-time residents living along the water. Within a few miles of the shore the estimated population is nearly 14,000, projected to reach 22,000 by 2015. Development along the shoreline includes new single-family subdivisions, condominiums, weekend retreats, a retirement community, motels and attractions for seasonal visitors.
Lynnhaven River
Lynnhaven River No Discharge Zone. Larger version of graphic. These maps should not be used as navigation aids.
The Lynnhaven River Watershed No Discharge Zone is within an area of land and water of approximately 64 square miles with nearly 150 miles of shoreline and is located in the northern part of the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is defined as all contiguous waters south of the Lesner Bridge at Lynnhaven Inlet [36°54'27.90"N/ 76°05'30.90"W (Latitude/Longitude)] and north of the watershed break point defined as the intersection of West Neck Creek at Dam Neck Road [36°47'17.60"N/ 76°04'14.62"W (Latitude/Longitude)].
It flows to the Chesapeake Bay through the Lynnhaven Inlet, just east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The Lynnhaven River watershed, including the Eastern Branch, the Western Branch, and Broad Bay/Linkhorn Bay. The upstream portions of the Lynnhaven River system flow either north to the Chesapeake Bay or south to the North Carolina sounds depending on wind and tidal patterns.
Many people enjoy the Lynnhaven River for a variety of activities, including boating, fishing, crabbing, water skiing, and swimming. The shoreline surrounding the Lynnhaven River includes 4,478 private waterfront homes, public access areas, marinas, boat launch facilities, waterside restaurants, and a State park. Large and small boats, personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, water skiers, and swimmers enjoy the river for its recreational benefits. There are several waterfront access areas within First Landing State Park for swimming during summer months. The Lynnhaven River was also once a prime oyster harvesting area known throughout the world for the famous "Lynnhaven Oyster". Oyster habitat restoration projects are presently being implemented in the Lynnhaven River. Lynnhaven River 2007, an advocacy group, in partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
