Blue Ridge Shores to replace spillway on Lake Louisa Dam

Now, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recommends the replacement of the spillway once more to provide increased protection against severe weather events for residents and their property in BRS, and downstream along Hickory Creek to northern Lake Anna.

The project will cost BRS approximately $4.4 million, estimated by Schnabel Engineering - the firm chosen by BRS administration to manage the spillway’s replacement, from design through bidding and construction.

“We are researching and exploring different grant opportunities,” said BRS General Manager Curt Heidel. “But we have not found any yet.”

Once the project design is complete and BRS procures funding, construction will begin with the installment of a temporary cofferdam - an enclosure built into the lake to allow water to be pumped out - effectively lowering the lake by five feet.

“That’ll be for safety during the construction process,” said Heidel. “The lake is lowered so we don’t have a spill over during construction.”

The current spillway will then be demolished, making way for a new spillway built to modern standards. Construction is estimated to take eight to 10 months.

Louisa County personnel have worked extensively with BRS to answer questions and offer guidance. Many hours were provided, notably by Louisa District Supervisor Eric Purcell, County Administrator Christian Goodwin and County Finance Director Wanda Colvin, who helped focus and facilitate the process.

The Lake Louisa Dam is one of the largest earthen dams in the county. The dam’s construction in 1960 created the 325-acre lake which in turn established the lake community of BRS.

The private neighborhood now encompasses roughly 1,000 acres, 574 homes and 11 miles of roads.

Heidel referred to BRS as “a hidden gem in Louisa County,” saying the gated community is relatively unknown among Louisa residents.

“A lot of people just don’t know it’s here,” he said. “It doesn’t get advertised a lot because the association’s not looking for extra business.”

The self-sufficient community is governed by a nine-member board of directors and nine standing committees, all of which are staffed by volunteers.

BRS boasts several amenities around the lake offered to its residents, including a community center, three marinas, three beaches, waterfront common areas with canoes and kayaks, nature trails, playgrounds, and courts for basketball, tennis and pickleball. The neighborhood also hosts community events for its members.