Posted on October 30, 2024
DUBLIN, Va. – Debris removal operations at Claytor Lake have intensified as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), deploys additional resources to accelerate recovery from Hurricane Helene.
While local organizations, including Friends of Claytor Lake, had begun initial cleanup efforts, the arrival of USACE’s specialized equipment, such as survey vessels, modular pontoon barges, hydraulic excavators, and a 300-ton crane is helping expedite the process.
“FEMA’s primary directive for us is to clear surface debris from the water,” said Maj. Ryan Hall, USACE Operations Officer. In what marks Virginia’s largest debris removal mission since 2003, Army Corps debris specialists are collaborating with contractors to clear an estimated 300 acre-feet of debris from Claytor Lake.
“With a hydroelectric dam and drinking water supply at risk, the Governor of Virginia has designated this an emergency area,” Hall explained. “Public safety is paramount for both the state and the federal government. For that reason, Gov. Youngkin has requested assistance to ensure the safety of residents and infrastructure downstream.”
The lake’s connection to the New River, part of the Ohio River Basin, makes this operation especially complex. Flowing south to north from North Carolina, where severe flooding from Hurricane Helene occurred, the New River has carried significant debris to Virginia. “Debris continues to flow in from upstream, posing ongoing risks to public safety, drinking water, and power generation,” Hall added. He also noted that regular surveys are essential to continuously assess the quantity of debris and resource needs as removal efforts progress.
Brodrick Havens, Park Manager at Claytor Lake State Park, emphasized the collaborative approach to restoration, highlighting early efforts by local agencies such as the Friends of Claytor Lake and VDEM to address initial hazards. “Initially, it was Pulaski County emergency management which then became Virginia Department of Emergency Management,” Havens explained. “They came in and started setting up the removal of hazardous materials. Now, with USACE on site, we’re able to address the larger debris field impacting safe navigation and the overall health of the lake.”
USACE’s National Debris Program Manager, Kayla Stull, outlined the phased approach to debris removal, beginning with surveys to identify concentrated debris fields for targeted surface collection. Once debris is collected, containers are transported to a separation yard, where teams sort materials into green waste, construction debris, general trash, and hazardous waste. The final step involves moving the separated materials to designated disposal sites. Stull noted that, while many resources were sourced locally, additional equipment was brought from other states to meet the demands of the large-scale response to Hurricane Helene’s extensive impact.
Gregg Williams, USACE ESF 3 Assistant Team Leader, detailed the importance of the centralized Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Richmond, which houses representatives from VDEM, FEMA, and various state agencies. “The EOC functions as the mission’s command hub,” Williams explained. “We’re in constant communication with local agencies across Virginia, receiving updates and requests for resources, and dispatching support as needed to field sites like Claytor Lake.”
The operation is supported by an amended disaster declaration from the Biden Administration which allows 90 days of federal assistance at a 100% cost share for the state. Following this period, assistance can continue if needed, though the cost share will adjust to 75% federal and 25% state. Maj. Hall clarified, “The 90-day window doesn’t mean that we’re going to speed this up and get this done as fast as possible as unsafely as possible. The first and foremost piece of this is safety, clearing the lake of debris in such a way that protects both the public and our team members.”
Hall also highlighted an initial Virginia Tech assessment which estimated around 135 acres of debris spread across the lake’s surface. “The last projection we got was using artificial intelligence for a flyover, and at its peak, they estimated 135 acres worth of debris here on site,” Hall said. This measurement refers to the surface area covered by debris, while the 300 acre-feet estimation indicates the total volume of debris present, enough to cover 300 acres at a depth of one foot. “As FEMA and subsequently USACE are present and operating here at the request of the Commonwealth, Virginia leadership would make the final determination as to what a state of completion will be”, he added.
Havens noted the importance of the operation as fall marks a peak season for fishing, boat rentals, and recreation on the lake. “Removing that debris and letting people get back to their livelihoods would be great,” said Havens, emphasizing that clearing the lake supports both safety and the community’s economy. As the operation progresses, community members along with state and federal agencies continue working together to restore Claytor Lake and support local livelihoods.
Stull highlighted that Claytor Lake is one of several locations where USACE is actively supporting recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “This is part of a larger response mission,” she explained. “Hurricane Helene impacted several states, and we’re performing technical assistance, monitoring, and debris removal operations in multiple areas.” Her statement underscores USACE’s commitment to vital infrastructure restoration and public safety support for the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) engineers remove debris from Claytor Lake after the launch of several modular barges on 24 October, 2024. These barges, along with the tugboats launched the day before, will facilitate the post-Hurricane Helene debris removal. This process consists of several phases, beginning with site surveys and surface debris removal. Initially, each tugboat will push a barge carrying either an excavator or a 40-cubic yard roll-off container to collect debris. In the next phase, the roll-off containers are removed from the barges, and debris is sorted into categories: green waste, construction material, general trash, and hazardous materials. Finally, the separated debris is transported to a designated dump site for disposal.
