FR is under voluntary water conservation

front royal town hall

The Town of Front Royal is asking residents to voluntarily conserve water as river levels continue to drop.

Town officials say the flow of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River fell below 400 cubic feet per second on August 5th.

That’s about 260 million gallons of water per day.

The reduced flow triggers conservation measures under the Town’s water withdrawal permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Residents are being asked to limit outdoor water use.

That includes watering lawns, plants and trees only before nine a.m. or after four p.m.

Car washing should be limited to once a week, unless using a commercial car wash.

Residents are also asked to limit washing driveways and other paved surfaces, reduce the use of ornamental fountains, and avoid filling swimming pools unless simply topping them off.

Restaurants are asked to serve drinking water only when customers request it.

Officials also recommend the following conservation efforts:

  • Running dishwashers and washing machines only when they’re full.
  • Taking shorter showers.
  • Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Fixing leaking or inefficient water fixtures.

Residents can call the Town’s Water Treatment Plant at 540-636-7474 with questions and should monitor local media for future updates.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

CC Sheriff’s Summer Safety week 4

Used with permission of Clarke County Sheriff Travis Sumption

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office Summer Safety theme for week 4 is pool and water safety.

There are a few precautions everyone needs to take when around water, drownings happen quickly.

  • Always keep your eye on children.
  • Wear a life vest when boating.
  • Never swim alone.
  • Stay alert to changing weather and water conditions.

Drownings can happen quickly and quietly, so always be aware of what is going on around you.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

SNP is planning upgrades to Big Meadows

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

Shenandoah National Park (SNP) is working with Rappahannock Electric to upgrade infrastructure as part of an ongoing project for the Big Meadows water system.

Crews will replace 11 utility poles and install communication lines between the area’s wells and reservoir.

Intermittent power outages are expected Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Work will begin on April 28th and continue for up to two weeks.

Despite the outages, key facilities like the Big Meadows Wayside, gas station, and Byrd Visitor Center will remain open.

Restrooms will stay open, but showers will not be available during the outage.

Ice and firewood sales will be temporarily relocated to the Big Meadows Wayside.

Park officials appreciate visitors’ patience as they work to improve critical infrastructure in this popular area of Skyline Drive.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Flood Safety Week aims to bring awareness

Flooding is the most common and expensive natural disaster, but only 3% of Virginians have flood insurance.

Just 1 inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damages.

Virginia Flood Awareness Week urges residents to understand their flood risk and consider flood insurance.

Flood Safety week, March 9-15th, is designed to educate all Virginians on the potential risks in life and property.

For more information please visit, Virginia Flood Awareness Week.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Pilots across the region make repeated trips to hurricane victims

A group from Warren County’s airport reports a flight  to Hurricane Helene victims with almost 700 pounds of supplies taken to Rutherford County North Carolina.

The pilots were able to bring needed supplies like water, blankets, and even a generator to victims of the storm.

The pilots were greeted by a grateful community and hundreds of other aircraft dropping off supplies.

Pilots out of Warren County are planning another trip down later in October.

Pilots out of Augusta County and Shenandoah Regional Airport reportedly have been making repeated trips down to the Carolinas with supplies donated by the community.

Supplies of water, canned goods, bug spray, and garden tools are the items that are in constant need in the hard-hit areas with supplies constantly being collected for repeated trips.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Woodstock changing out water meters

Woodstock residents may notice more vehicles in the neighborhood with out-of-state plates in the coming weeks, according to town police.

The town has begun changing out water meters, police said.

Workers from US Utility Services will be completing the project. Police say they will be working mostly Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 6 PM and on some Saturdays over the next few weeks.