Is The Occoquan River Clean?

Is The Occoquan River Clean?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to increase the depth of the Occoquan River Federal Navigation Channel to nine feet, the first such dredging since 1962. The channel is now about six feet deep.

Is the Occoquan Reservoir man made?

The solution was to create the Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority and build a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant in 1978, removing the nutrients and discharging water clean enough to drink. The old wastewater plants were closed, and the reservoir became an attractive artificial lake again.

What kind of fish are in the Occoquan?

Occoquan Regional Park is an excellent place to enjoy a day of fishing in the Occoquan River. The river is home to white perch, striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, flathead catfish and channel catfish.

Can you swim in Lake brittle?

Camping, swimming, sailboats, hunting, trotlines and fishing tournaments involving prizes are prohibited. Gill nets, seines and gasoline motors are prohibited except for official Department duties. Cast nets are permitted for catching gizzard shad. Boat anglers are permitted to use trolling motors on Lake Brittle.

Are there snakeheads in Occoquan Reservoir?

Ruffin’s Mill Pond has been joined recently by Hunting Run Reservoir (Spotsylvania County), Pelham Reservoir (Culpeper County), Abel Reservoir (Stafford County), Burke Lake (Fairfax County), and Occoquan Reservoir (Fairfax/Prince William line) as all waters receiving illegal stockings of northern snakeheads.

Is Occoquan River saltwater?

WDCboater Member. The Potomac is freshwater, not salt. We get River slime on our bottoms, props, etc when they sit, but it’s not corrosive. One of the biggest issues we have is aquatic plants that can grow in the shallows and be sucked into a sea strainer.

Is the Occoquan River freshwater?

Despite being a major fresh water source, Occoquan Reservoir is listed on Virginia’s Dirty Water List, with recorded high levels of phosphorus, turbidity, low dissolved oxygen, the presence of copper sulfate and the growing presence of pharmaceuticals, largely due to human land uses, population pressure and poor …

What is the meaning of Occoquan?

Occoquan is derived from an Algonquian Doeg Indian word, meaning “at the end of the water“.

Who owns the Occoquan River?

Occoquan Reservoir is a 2,100-acre Fairfax Water Authority impoundment, which forms the boundary between Fairfax and Prince William counties. Fairfax County Water Authority manages Occoquan as a water supply impoundment, which serves residents of Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria.

When was the Occoquan Reservoir built?

Maintain acceptable levels of water quality within the Occoquan Basin’s free flowing streams and impoundment’s through the management of nonpoint pollution loadings. In 1957, the Upper Occoquan Dam was constructed.

Where is the Occoquan River?

The Occoquan River is a tributary of the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, where it serves as part of the boundary between Fairfax and Prince William counties. The river is a scenic area, and several local high schools and colleges use the river for the sport of rowing.

How old is the Potomac River?

The river itself is at least 3.5 million years old, likely extending back ten to twenty million years before the present when the Atlantic Ocean lowered and exposed coastal sediments along the fall line. This included the area at Great Falls, which eroded into its present form during recent glaciation periods.

Is Bull Run a river?

The Bull Run River is a 21.9-mile (35.2 km) tributary of the Sandy River in the U.S. state of Oregon. … The river, impounded by two artificial storage reservoirs as well as the lake, is the primary source of drinking water for the city of Portland, Oregon.

What is the deepest part of the Rappahannock river?

The river has natural depths of 15 feet or more to the bridge at Tappahannock, 37.4 miles above the mouth. Above this point, a Federal project provides for dredging of the bars to provide a channel 12 feet deep to Fredericksburg.

Is the Potomac River safe to swim in?

It is illegal to go swimming in the Great Falls area of the Potomac River, an area also known as Mather Gorge. … There are still extremely strong currents under the water that can pull the unaware swimmer down into the river’s depths.

Is the Potomac saltwater or freshwater?

Because the Potomac does not connect with the sea (Atlantic Ocean) but with Chesapeake Bay, fresh Potomac River water mixes with brackish Chesapeake Bay water in the Potomac Estuary. The reach of the Potomac River that contains only fresh water but is still influenced by tides is termed the tidal Potomac River.

Is the James River saltwater or freshwater?

The bay is an estuary, an area where fresh water flowing from land meets salt water from the sea. Scientists consider the bay to consist of its main part near the coast as well as its tidal tributaries, so that would include the James up to Richmond. The James’ water remains fresh until just below Hopewell.

Can you release a snakehead?

If you capture a snakehead fish: Do not release the fish or throw it up on the bank (it could wriggle back into the water). Remember, this fish is an air breather and can live a long time out of water. Kill the fish by freezing it or putting it on ice for an extended length of time.

Do snakeheads eat humans?

Most snakehead fish will avoid contact with humans. One species, the giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) native to southeastern Asia, has been reported to be aggressive toward humans who got too close to their nest. … Other snakeheads are not as aggressive toward humans.

Can snakehead fish be eaten?

Interest has been picking up lately in the invasive fish species the northern snakehead (Channa Argus). This has led to many people wondering if you can eat snakehead. The short answer is yes, northern snakehead is an excellent fish to eat. … Snakehead meat is firm, white and flaky.

Can you swim at Crockett Park?

Those visiting during the hot summer months will appreciate the number of swimming opportunities available at David Crockett State Park. The lovely wooded park offers guests both swimming and wading opportunities and touts both a lake and an Olympic sized pool.

Places to Swim Near Occoquan VA

  • Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole. Reston, VA.
  • Georgetown. Washington, DC.
  • East Potomac Golf Course. Washington, DC.
  • Francis Pool. Washington, DC.
  • Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center. Washington, DC.
  • Oxon Run Pool. Washington, DC.
  • Barry Farm. Washington, DC.
  • Barry Farm Aquatic Center. Washington, DC.

How deep is the Occoquan River?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to increase the depth of the Occoquan River Federal Navigation Channel to nine feet, the first such dredging since 1962. The channel is now about six feet deep.

Are there fish in the Occoquan River?

The main species of interest at Occoquan are largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie, but opportunities exist for anglers to catch channel catfish, flathead catfish, northern pike, and white perch.

What is the best bait for largemouth bass?

What is the best bait for largemouth bass? In terms of live bait, fish (like shiners, minnows, or shad) and crawfish work very well since these are what bass usually eat. Because largemouth bass are carnivorous, the best artificial baits tend to be those that mimic their prey in some way.

Who owns the Occoquan River?

Current Water Surface Elevation: 122.35 ft., msl

Fairfax Water owns and maintains the dam that forms the Occoquan Reservoir on the southern border of Fairfax County Virginia. The Occoquan Reservoir is a major drinking water source for Northern Virginia.

What is the deepest part of the Rappahannock river?

The river has natural depths of 15 feet or more to the bridge at Tappahannock, 37.4 miles above the mouth. Above this point, a Federal project provides for dredging of the bars to provide a channel 12 feet deep to Fredericksburg.

Is Bull Run a river?

The Bull Run River is a 21.9-mile (35.2 km) tributary of the Sandy River in the U.S. state of Oregon. … The river, impounded by two artificial storage reservoirs as well as the lake, is the primary source of drinking water for the city of Portland, Oregon.

Is the Occoquan River freshwater or saltwater?

WDCboater Member. The Potomac is freshwater, not salt. We get River slime on our bottoms, props, etc when they sit, but it’s not corrosive. One of the biggest issues we have is aquatic plants that can grow in the shallows and be sucked into a sea strainer.

Can you swim in bull run?

Rent a picnic shelter for your family, enjoy a round of disc golf, or bring the kids for an afternoon at the playground – Bull Run Regional Park is your place to hike, play, swim and explore.

Can you swim in Lake accotink?

In 1964, Lake Accotink was declared surplus and put up for auction. … The lake was finally opened in July 1971, although only for boating and fishing, as it was still too polluted to swim in.

What county is Lake Anna Virginia in?

Lake Anna | Spotsylvania County, VA.

What kind of fish are in the Occoquan?

Occoquan Regional Park is an excellent place to enjoy a day of fishing in the Occoquan River. The river is home to white perch, striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, flathead catfish and channel catfish.

What is the Occoquan?

The Occoquan River is a tributary of the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, where it serves as part of the boundary between Fairfax and Prince William counties. The river is a scenic area, and several local high schools and colleges use the river for the sport of rowing.

When was the Occoquan Dam built?

In 1957, the Upper Occoquan Dam was constructed. In 1967, ownership of the Occoquan Dam and its related water treatment facilities passed to Fairfax County Water Authority. 1982 dam elevation increased by two feet increasing storage capacity to ~8 Million Gallons.

Why was the river called Bull Run?

Their word “Occoquan” means “at the end of the water.” Early English colonists gave Bull Run its name, applying the name “rundle” or “run” to streams not affected by tide and thereby running in one direction.

Where does Portland’s water come from?

Portland is fortunate to have two high-quality drinking water sources, the Bull Run Watershed and Columbia South Shore Well Field. The Portland Water Bureau works diligently to protect this essential resource and deliver drinking water to your tap that meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water standards.

Can you hike in Bull Run Watershed?

Sadly, the Forest Service has since officially closed the trail as part of their stepped-up campaign with the City of Portland Water Bureau to deny any public access to the Bull Run Reserve, even for areas outside the physical watershed.

Is the Rappahannock River safe to swim?

The Rappahannock River is inherently dangerous, and swimming is not recommended. … Even the strongest swimmers as well as those who are only wading in the shallow water can unexpectedly find themselves in need of assistance. Swimming is discouraged at Old Mill Park.

How dirty is the Rappahannock River?

The Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds are considered impaired and polluted due to excess levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediments. These pollutants come from a variety of sources but the largest is what is referred to as non-point source pollution from stormwater runoff.

What major river does the city of Fredericksburg sit on?

The Rappahannock River offers one of the most scenic and best-protected river corridors in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Rapidan River, originating from the west side of the state, connects with the Rappahannock about 10 miles northwest of Fredericksburg.

Is Occoquan fresh water?

Despite being a major fresh water source, Occoquan Reservoir is listed on Virginia’s Dirty Water List, with recorded high levels of phosphorus, turbidity, low dissolved oxygen, the presence of copper sulfate and the growing presence of pharmaceuticals, largely due to human land uses, population pressure and poor …

Is the Occoquan River Tidal?

Occoquan Regional Park does not have Tides data. Select a nearby location from below.