U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adjusts flow of Jackson River due to conditions at Lake Moomaw

As early as January 3^rd, 2024, the Norfolk District will change the minimum flow from 158 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 100 cfs at the request of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). The lake level has reached the minimum conservation pool level of 1554 feet. Under normal conditions, the water control manual would require the Corps to match the outflow to the inflow or the monthly minimum flow of 158 cfs (whichever is lower). VDEQ has requested a deviation from the water control manual to a minimum flow of 100 cfs to maintain downstream water quality, provide adequate water supply to the City of Covington, minimize the impact to the trout spawning conditions, and create conditions to aid in recovering the reservoir storage.

Residents downstream will visibly see a change over the next few days. It will be a two-part process to reduce from 158 cfs to 130 cfs then from 130 cfs to 100 cfs. VDEQ has requested the 100 cfs minimum release to continue through April 1^st, 2024 or until Lake Moomaw has reached full storage capacity. The Corps of Engineers, DEQ, and other stakeholders will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions at Lake Moomaw and the Jackson River.