Little Creek Reservoir
A recent dry spell in Virginia has left water levels low. The drought is starting to have an impact on the Little Creek Reservoir. It's an area where many people go boating and fishing.
There currently aren't any water restrictions for customers of Newport News Waterworks. Reservoir levels serving most of the Peninsula are just under 80% capacity.
But signs of drought can't be missed at Little Creek Reservoir Park in James City County.
"It does look a little (dry) trying to get a boat launched from here," said James Willis.
The actual reservoir is down about 5 to 7 feet.
Part of it is because of the drought, but the main reason is that Newport News Waterworks has stopped pumping water from the Chickahominy River, its primary source.
The utility has been pulling water from the Diascund and Little Creek Reservoirs to keep the areas on the lower Peninsula full.
The result is floating piers that don't float, and warnings to boaters about low areas.
If the weather pattern continues, the company that manages the park says they'll probably have to move the boats down a dock for launching because it'll be just too dry to do it from the landing.
Three years ago the park had to be closed for fishing because water levels got too low for boats.
The current situation is a long way from that, but in a way it has made fishing better.
"When the water gets low, it concentrates the fish. It moves the bait fish in to smaller areas and then the bait fish and their easier to track and they’re actually easier to catch," said Perry Veasey.
It does, however, cut down on the fishing stories about the one that got away.
