Dec. 12, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Readers in the Rockbridge area and beyond who have followed efforts to improve the management of Lake Merriweather will be interested to learn that the on-site team at Goshen Scout Reservation were scheduled to commence dam operations Monday, Dec. 15, in preparation for winter maintenance. The projects will concentrate on ensuring the safety of docks and removing debris from two coves on the north end of the lake.
Late last Tuesday, the Scouts received DEQ’s green light to proceed with their work plan and the lake-lowering schedule, which calls for a drawdown of 9.5 feet for two months and 9 feet for one month. The maximum drawdown per day will be 6 inches. Weather permitting, the reservoir is expected to be restored to full pool around March 9, 2026.
The lake owner, National Capital Area Council, Scouting America, is to be commended for employing a much shorter period for lake lowering than in past years. This practice — a key recommendation for reducing sediment flows into Little Calfpasture River below the dam — was also observed for the 2024-2025 maintenance drawdown.
Also of note are NCAC’s timely provision of advance notice to Rockbridge County and the Emergency Management Services team, and holding off the release of water ahead of the weekend in consideration of anyone engaged in winter recreation on or around the upper Maury.
Maury River Alliance is providing this information on behalf of the Lake Merriweather Advisory Group, a volunteer body charged with helping to address technical and scientific issues at Lake Merriweather as well as providing a communications bridge to the Rockbridge community. We’ll have more to say about the work of the LMAG in the near future. Readers who want to follow the progress with the lake and sediment reduction are encouraged to subscribe to our mailing list at mauryriveralliance. org.
GEORGE KOSOVIC MRA Steering Committee member and an MRA representative to the Lake Merriweather Advisory Group
