Buying a Vacation Home at Lake Anna

[Anonymous]

We have rented there and find the Lake activities dangerous in the summer. there are too many inexperienced boaters/jet ski people. if you fall off your waterskis or your paddleboard - be prepared to get run over by drunks on boats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's seems hard to find a lake or river near this area that doesn't have issues with water quality. Over the past decade we've stayed at Deep Creek 2x, Lake Anna 3x, and at an airbnb ON the Shenandoah River 2x. Every time we've read in advance about no swim warnings, algae blooms or other bacterial problems... most if not all of which seem to be the result of runoff from nearby farmland.

Generally speaking this doesn't concern us because we typically just go boating, water skiing or tubing, and fishing. We don't hang out swimming in the water. But specific to Lake Anna, you WILL definitely find (less informed) people who refuse to believe the water is safe due to the nuclear plant. Which only really matters if you plan to rent out the place.

Jokes on you. The water on the plant side is unsafe and it is because of the nuclear power plant. But since you’re so informed, explain why that’s wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's seems hard to find a lake or river near this area that doesn't have issues with water quality. Over the past decade we've stayed at Deep Creek 2x, Lake Anna 3x, and at an airbnb ON the Shenandoah River 2x. Every time we've read in advance about no swim warnings, algae blooms or other bacterial problems... most if not all of which seem to be the result of runoff from nearby farmland.

Generally speaking this doesn't concern us because we typically just go boating, water skiing or tubing, and fishing. We don't hang out swimming in the water. But specific to Lake Anna, you WILL definitely find (less informed) people who refuse to believe the water is safe due to the nuclear plant. Which only really matters if you plan to rent out the place.

Jokes on you. The water on the plant side is unsafe and it is because of the nuclear power plant. But since you’re so informed, explain why that’s wrong?

It’s only unsafe if there’s an issue at the plant. And if there was an issue it would be an issue much further away than the warm side of Lake Anna.

[Anonymous]

We have a vacation home there. The pro and cons list from PP is a good one

I love it there. We spend our time on the lake on our boat. We have a pool and swim there. Our kids also enjoy going there. We have a game room and a lot of outdoor games.

[Anonymous]

I just can't imagine living at a lake and not trusting to be able to swim in it. What's the point? You can live in the middle of nowhere and put in a pool. I get that you can't boat in the middle of nowhere but isn't the fun of boating being able to jump in and tube, etc.

[Anonymous]

There aren't that many nice restaurants and things to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's seems hard to find a lake or river near this area that doesn't have issues with water quality. Over the past decade we've stayed at Deep Creek 2x, Lake Anna 3x, and at an airbnb ON the Shenandoah River 2x. Every time we've read in advance about no swim warnings, algae blooms or other bacterial problems... most if not all of which seem to be the result of runoff from nearby farmland.

Generally speaking this doesn't concern us because we typically just go boating, water skiing or tubing, and fishing. We don't hang out swimming in the water. But specific to Lake Anna, you WILL definitely find (less informed) people who refuse to believe the water is safe due to the nuclear plant. Which only really matters if you plan to rent out the place.

Jokes on you. The water on the plant side is unsafe and it is because of the nuclear power plant. But since you’re so informed, explain why that’s wrong?

It’s only unsafe if there’s an issue at the plant. And if there was an issue it would be an issue much further away than the warm side of Lake Anna.

Still false.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's seems hard to find a lake or river near this area that doesn't have issues with water quality. Over the past decade we've stayed at Deep Creek 2x, Lake Anna 3x, and at an airbnb ON the Shenandoah River 2x. Every time we've read in advance about no swim warnings, algae blooms or other bacterial problems... most if not all of which seem to be the result of runoff from nearby farmland.

Generally speaking this doesn't concern us because we typically just go boating, water skiing or tubing, and fishing. We don't hang out swimming in the water. But specific to Lake Anna, you WILL definitely find (less informed) people who refuse to believe the water is safe due to the nuclear plant. Which only really matters if you plan to rent out the place.

There have been occasional higher than normal readings for tritium in nearby groundwater which has not leaked into the lake.
https://www.nbc12.com/story/13431908/radioactive-water-found-near-louisa-power-plant/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's seems hard to find a lake or river near this area that doesn't have issues with water quality. Over the past decade we've stayed at Deep Creek 2x, Lake Anna 3x, and at an airbnb ON the Shenandoah River 2x. Every time we've read in advance about no swim warnings, algae blooms or other bacterial problems... most if not all of which seem to be the result of runoff from nearby farmland.

Generally speaking this doesn't concern us because we typically just go boating, water skiing or tubing, and fishing. We don't hang out swimming in the water. But specific to Lake Anna, you WILL definitely find (less informed) people who refuse to believe the water is safe due to the nuclear plant. Which only really matters if you plan to rent out the place.

Jokes on you. The water on the plant side is unsafe and it is because of the nuclear power plant. But since you’re so informed, explain why that’s wrong?

Please share your evidence proving this claim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's seems hard to find a lake or river near this area that doesn't have issues with water quality. Over the past decade we've stayed at Deep Creek 2x, Lake Anna 3x, and at an airbnb ON the Shenandoah River 2x. Every time we've read in advance about no swim warnings, algae blooms or other bacterial problems... most if not all of which seem to be the result of runoff from nearby farmland.

Generally speaking this doesn't concern us because we typically just go boating, water skiing or tubing, and fishing. We don't hang out swimming in the water. But specific to Lake Anna, you WILL definitely find (less informed) people who refuse to believe the water is safe due to the nuclear plant. Which only really matters if you plan to rent out the place.

Jokes on you. The water on the plant side is unsafe and it is because of the nuclear power plant. But since you’re so informed, explain why that’s wrong?

Please share your evidence proving this claim.

What do you mean evidence? I don’t have any evidence.

An array of harmful micro-organisms flourish in water that remains warm. The effluent from the plant keeps that side warm enough, at least in a larger area of it, that it never freezes and stays much warmer than surface water in the region.

It is unsafe. I would not swim in it.

If you need a peer reviewed study… just go for it I guess.

[Anonymous]

OP Here. Thanks to everyone's comments. Decided to skip buying at Lake Anna at least for now. I can't buy a house there if there's any debate over water quality. But if anyone has any other thoughts, feel free to share. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Maybe consider waterfront in the lower northern neck? Could be a good spot for meeting up with Petersburg family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know they have water quality issues in some sections of the lake. Not sure if I can post a link so here’s a synopsis from an article I found:

This marks the sixth straight summer algae blooms have resulted in a no-swim advisory at the 13,000-acre Lake Anna, a popular recreational destination that also cools the Dominion Energy North Anna nuclear power plant. Last year, the lake was added to the state’s list of impaired waterways because of the algae blooms.

Also, the warm side of the lake is only warm because it’s where the water from the cooling tanks from the nuclear reactor end up. I wouldn’t have an issue, I personally think nuclear power is the cleanest energy source of all, but some people may not like it.

This sounds like something PG&E would say in Erin Brockovitch.

[Anonymous]

I spent several years living on Lake Anna, VA and last year left.
I can tell you it’s green water, brown water, bugs, snakes in the water and you can get sick. I did. My dog did.
There’s also 2 nuclear reactors on the lake, which in my opinion is a risky investment. If one of those crack or leak goodbye real estate sales. Or worse.
People ignore these issues and I just don’t understand it. There’s so many other lakes that aren’t on the 10 worst dirty lake list.

[Anonymous]

My brother and his family love it. Got hours view just renovated. A number of their friends and families moved there as well (from Nova during Covid)