The Friends of Claytor Lake

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The Friends of Claytor Lake

The Friends of Claytor Lake is a non-profit that is dedicated to protecting the environment of Claytor Lake for all!

06/19/2026

📣 Tomorrow’s the Day!

Join FOCL for our 2026 Annual Meeting tomorrow, at 9:00 AM, Shelter #5 at the Claytor Lake State Park.

We’d love to see you there! RSVP to [email protected].

Can’t attend? You can still support our mission with a tax-deductible donation at focl.org/donate.

06/16/2026

A safe lake season is a great lake season!

Whether you are new to boating or just looking for a helpful refresher, the upcoming Virginia Boating Safety Education Classroom Course is a great opportunity to feel more confident and prepared on the water this summer.

This free course fulfills Virginia’s boating safety requirement for PWC and motorboat operators and will cover safe boating practices, navigation best practices, emergency procedures, and more.

Dates: Tuesday, July 14 and Thursday, July 16 2026
Time: 5:30 to 9:30 PM both evenings
Location: Claytor Lake State Park, Water’s Edge Meeting Facility Room

Participants must be at least 14 years old. Feel free to bring dinner, snacks, and drinks.

Spots are limited, so register here: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/244487

Claytor Lake is at its best when everyone does their part to keep our waters safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all. FOCL is proud to support efforts that help protect and preserve Claytor Lake for residents, visitors, boaters, anglers, and families across our community.

06/14/2026

What a day on Claytor Lake! 🇺🇸🎣

FOCL was honored to be a part of another incredible Veterans Fishing Day, bringing together Veterans, volunteer boat captains, sponsors, and community members for a day of fishing, fellowship, and appreciation on the water.

To our Veterans: thank you for your service, sacrifice, and dedication to our country. It was a privilege to spend the day with you and celebrate all that you have done for our nation.

A special thank you goes to our volunteer boat captains, sponsors, and everyone who helped make this event possible. Your generosity and support created lasting memories and meaningful connections for so many participants.

We're excited to share some of our favorite moments from the day. We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed making the memories behind them!

💙 If you'd like to support events like Veterans Fishing Day and FOCL's ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Claytor Lake, please consider making a donation at focl.org/donate.

06/11/2026

Claytor Lake Festival is almost here, and we cannot wait to celebrate one of our community’s favorite summer traditions! ☀

It is a day full of lake life, local fun, community spirit, and a beautiful evening on the
water.

Did you know? FOCL helps close out the festivities by manning the barge for the fireworks display. It is one of the many behind-the-scenes ways FOCL supports lake events and helps make special moments on Claytor Lake possible.

We are proud to be part of a community that comes together to celebrate, enjoy, and
care for this lake 💙

Support FOCL’s work on Claytor Lake by donating at focl.org/donate.

Photo credit: Claytor Lake Festival

06/09/2026

FOCL’s cleanup season is officially underway! 🚤

After important repairs to our barge, our cleanup crew is ready to get back on the water and get busy doing what they do best: helping keep Claytor Lake clean, beautiful, and enjoyable for everyone who lives here, visits here, and loves this special place 💙

This work takes time, equipment, fuel, repairs, and a dedicated crew, and FOCL depends on support from our Claytor Lake community to keep it going season after season.

As summer begins, we are excited to be back out on the lake and grateful for every person who helps support this mission.

Help keep the cleanup work moving by making a donation at focl.org/donate.

06/05/2026

Join us for FOCL’s Annual Meeting! 🌊

We invite you to our 2026 Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, at Shelter #5 at Claytor Lake State Park.

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow lake supporters, enjoy breakfast items, hear important updates, and learn more about the work being done to protect and preserve Claytor Lake.

The morning will include remarks from FOCL President Jackson Beamer, a special speaker presentation from Ryan Brown, VA State DWR Director, reports on cleanup operations, drawdown and mussel salvage, Pulaski County updates, awards, and more.

Please RSVP by emailing [email protected]

Can’t attend but still want to support FOCL’s mission? Your donation helps keep our cleanup work going, lake stewardship, and community efforts moving forward. Make a tax-deductible gift at focl.org/donate.

06/02/2026

💙 EARLY GIVING IS NOW OPEN! 💙

Claytor Lake is more than just a body of water. It's where families make memories, friends gather, children learn to fish, and neighbors come together to enjoy one of Southwest Virginia's greatest treasures.

Every year, Friends of Claytor Lake works tirelessly to protect and preserve the lake we all love. From removing thousands of tons of debris from our waters to supporting environmental stewardship, community events, education, and advocacy efforts, this work is only possible because of supporters like you.

Today, you have an opportunity to make a direct impact.

Early Giving for Give Local NRV is officially open, and every donation helps ensure FOCL can continue protecting Claytor Lake for future generations.

If you've ever spent a day on the lake, enjoyed a peaceful sunset, cast a fishing line, or simply appreciated the beauty of Claytor Lake, please consider giving back today.

No gift is too small. Every dollar makes a difference.

💙 Make your gift today: http://givelocalnrv.org/organizations/friends-of-claytor-lake

Together, we can keep Claytor Lake clean, beautiful, and thriving for years to come.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, FOCL pauses to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. 🇺🇸

As many gather with family and friends on Claytor Lake this weekend, we hope you will take a moment to reflect on the meaning of this day and the sacrifices that made our freedoms possible.

From all of us at FOCL, we remember, we honor, and we are grateful.

📸 Photo credits: Wendy Alexander

05/22/2026

The Spring 2026 FOCL Point Magazine is here! 🌊

FOCL Point is our regular publication designed to keep the community up to date with what is happening at FOCL and around Claytor Lake. This year’s spring edition includes important updates, community highlights, lake information, and a closer look at the work being done to protect and preserve Claytor Lake.

Copies are being mailed to FOCL supporters, and additional copies are available upon request. To view a digital copy, visit https://www.focl.org/focl-point-magazine.

If you would like to receive a physical copy in the mail, email [email protected].

Want to help support the work featured in this year’s magazine? Make a tax-deductible gift at focl.org/donate.

05/17/2026

🚨 For immediate release 🚨

EXTREME WEATHER COULD RESULT IN RAPID WATER LEVEL CHANGES DOWNSTREAM OF CLAYTOR AND LEESVILLE DAMS

ROANOKE, Va., May 17, 2026 – Water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could rise rapidly
starting Monday, May 18, and may fluctuate through the week. Appalachian Power Company (APCo) is alerting boaters, fishermen and other recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams to be prepared for potential changing conditions.

The National Weather Service is forecasting hot temperatures this week, and PJM, the independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, has notified
APCo that it may need to increase power generation at its hydroelectric plants to maintain the reliability of the regional electric grid if called upon to do so. Current water levels at Smith Mountain Project and Claytor Dam will not affect APCo’s ability to generate power.

Below Claytor Dam, water levels could increase up to two feet in a matter of minutes. Water levels below Leesville Dam could increase as much as eight feet over seven hours. Those considering
recreating on the rivers should monitor AEP’s website for additional information and follow the Smith Mountain Project and Claytor pages for updates.

For more information, visit AppalachianPower.com

Address

6580 Valley Center Drive Suite 318
Fairlawn, VA
24141

Telephone

+15403953625

Website

http://www.focl.org/

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