Closed off for 10 years, some want Lake Manassas reopened to public
You can look at it, and stand on its banks in and fish in it. But whatever you do, don’t boat or swim in Lake Manassas.
The lake remains closed to the public this summer, as it has for every summer since 2004. Manassas officials say they must do everything to protect the city’s drinking water supply from contamination, and to prevent the invasive Zebra Mussel from populating in the lake.
Those who get caught in the lake risk breaking the law. But many who live on our near 770-acre reservoir want to know why they can’t enjoy it. Just look at some of the comments we received last week after posting a story reminding folks to stay off the lake.
Other reservoirs in the area, like Stafford’s new Rocky Pen Run Reservoir, allows non-motorized boats, kayaking, and fishing, but no swimming.
Those who want the lake reopened say similar rules could be implemented at Lake Manassas. The city currently budgets $83,360 in funds from its annual budget to police the lake in an effort to keep out the public. Fishing is only allowed on the banks of Lake Manassas if permission obtained from a private property owner who lives on the lake.
Council leaders say lake is not profitable
City Council members say that while concerns over the security and safety of drinking water and Zebra Mussels are real, there’s also a financial challenge to opening and maintaining the lake.
“Our past experience with the lake shows that it is very unlikely that any type of marina operation (which would act as a gatekeeper for lake use) would be financially profitable,” said Manassas City Councilman Mark Wolfe. “In the past, the city provided a subsidy to the marina operator. None of the [new] proposals we have seen regarding lake access show that they would be self-sustaining financially.”
The fight over reopening Lake Manassas is nothing new. In 2011, Brookfield Homes took the city to court after a building 60 homes on the lake – which is located in Prince William County. The developer wanted its homebuyers to have access to the lake, but the concerns of drinking water safety in the light of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks won over the courts and lake remains closed.
Last fall, the City Council directed staff to explore the possibility of reopening the lake.
A plan to bring in George Mason University also presented a business plan on reopening the lake, and Brookfield Homes donated land for a new marina.
“Thus far the City of Manassas has not been willing to exclusively carry the significant investment burden to open the lake, partially because the benefits will accrue to non-residents and we cannot afford to exclusively tax our residents for the benefit of others,” said Manassas City Councilman Jonathan Way. “Obviously, the solution would be a private/public partnership involving Manassas, Prince William County and a private developer. Such a plan was developed a few years ago, but was not adequate.”
A charge for lake access
Manassas City Councilman Marc Aveni made reopening the lake to the public a campaign issue last year. Now, with several new council members in place, he says it may be time to bring up the issue again during council meetings.
“You can’t stick you toe in the water or someone will arrest you? How dumb is that,” said Aveni.
While the costs to reopen the lake are not known, Aveni says they have to be less than what the city pays annually to keep people out. He proposes charging residents for access to the lake to generate revenue. City residents would pay one fee, and those who live outside the city, such as Prince William County, could pay a “little more,” said Aveni.
Conservation groups also support reopening Lake Manassas to the public. They say the lake would mean more recreational and economic opportunities for the region.
“According to Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, fishing alone is responsible for more than $1.3 billion in economic impact in the state. According to the Virginia Outdoor Report, citizens desire improved access to soft landings for kayaks and canoes. Access to state waters for fishing, swimming, and beach use was a top three need identified by the public,” said Prince William Conservation Alliance Director Kim Hosen.
The Alliance wants to see the lake reopened to non-motorized boats, and to fishermen.
