Fire forces closure of access to Lake Drummond

Posted August 8, 2011
By Patrick Bloodgood, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs

08/08/2011 - CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A 1,000 acre wildfire has closed the Lake Drummond Reservation and boat trolley, located between Lake Drummond and the Dismal Swamp Canal.

According to the National Wildlife Service, lightning sparked a wildfire on August 4, which has been increasing in size and is moving towards the reservation.

"Though no structures or personnel are in immediate danger we felt it prudent to close the area to visitors as a just in case," said Joel Scussel, the Dismal Swamp Canal project manager.

The area will remain closed until the threat of fire has passed.

The reservation contains buildings and control structures for the weirs utilized to control water flow from Lake Drummond to the Dismal Swamp Canal. It offers citizens an opportunity to experience primitive camping, picnicking as well transfer small watercraft from the canal to Lake Drummond via a trolley system.

More information about the fire and closures throughout the Dismal Swamp can be found at www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp. Individuals seeking more information about the reservation closure can contact the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (757) 201-7606 or by email at cenao-pa@usace.army.mil