POWHATAN, Va. (WRIC) — A beloved lake in Powhatan has gone missing and a community wants answers.
It’s not a magic trick, but it is a disappearing act. Residents who live near Lake Louise want whatever is happening to stop.
“The lake was the main thing that drew me out here with having a Labrador and wanting him to have water outside,” said Wayne Shiver, a resident of Red Lane subdivision.
Shiver said even his dog Yogi knows something is wrong, “He knows it’s gone, he’s at the house annoyed because we go out and throw the Frisbee.” Shiver said.
So where did the water go? Residents tell 8News that during the recent rains, an overflow pipe and some of the earth washed away and the water is draining underneath a nearby road. VDOT engineers have surveyed the road and have determined the road is secure.
Now residents are trying to determine who owns Lake Louise. “That’s a really good question, because we don’t have a home owners association here, all of our property on both sides goes right down to the lake,” said longtime resident Joe Washington.
Washington moved to the area more than three decades ago, and he said the group that owned the lake dissolved in 1983. Another concern is that the lake serves around 1000 residents.
“This dry hydrant here, it feeds everybody in this community. If there was a fire and the firefighters were running low on water, they could come here, uncap it and draw water out of the lake,” Washington added.
Residents have determined in order to fix the lake, they must first figure out who owns it. In the meantime, Shiver and Yogi continue to miss their picturesque lake.
“I’ve got wood decks and stone patios in the back of the house, and won’t to be able sit out there and drink a beer or have a cup of coffee in the morning and enjoy the lake. Now this is my view,” Shiver said pointing to the area that used to be a gorgeous view.
