An updated master plan sets the stage for how Philpott Lake’s recreational, natural, and cultural resources will continue to be managed in the future.
Nestled in the rugged foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Philpott Lake is federally managed and administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as a multipurpose water resource. Initiated to control severe flooding in three adjacent counties, the Philpott Dam and Reservoir project was integral to water resource planning in the Roanoke River Basin. The project created Philpott Lake, estimated to be 15 miles long and cover about 2,830 acres of water, as completed in 1952. The lake is authorized for recreation, flood control, hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife, and water supply.
Moffatt & Nichol provided services required for the completion of the 2021 Master Plan Update, which updates the 1982 Master Plan and will guide comprehensive management and development of recreational, natural, and cultural resources in coming years. The update followed USACE’s planning process and maintained compliance with current USACE master planning regulations, policies, and criteria. The update also included a programmatic environmental assessment, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Moffatt & Nichol led the public involvement necessary to meet NEPA 516 DM 4 requirements to complete the NEPA process, which included participation from key public agency, business, and community stakeholders in the Philpott Lake area.
