KERR LAKE AREA – Recycle Your Christmas Trees into Fish Habitat!
BOYDTON, Va. – Once again the US Army Corps of Engineers at John H. Kerr Reservoir will be accepting used live Christmas Trees until January 31st to be recycled into fish habitat. Designated drop off areas will be located at four Corps boat ramps/day use areas located throughout Mecklenburg County. The four areas that will be accepting trees this year are:
- Visitor Assistance Center by North Bend Park at Kerr Dam
- Rudds Creek Day Use Area, on Highway 58 just outside Boydton
- Longwood Boat Ramp, on Highway 15 South, outside of Clarksville
- Bluestone Boat Ramp, on Highway 15 North, outside of ClarksvilleEach of these areas will have designated marked off drop locations.
At the end of January the Corps will take the donated trees, bind them together, and sink them for fish habitat. Some parks already have a marked fishing reef buoy nearby which is where the trees will be placed. “These trees are some of the best forms of underwater structure. Crappie, bass, bluegills and other fish will often use the trees to congregate in and around,” according to Billy Hoffer, Conservation Biologist at Kerr Reservoir.
Please drop off your Christmas tree, free of decorations, to one of the four locations above so we can keep trees out of our landfills and improve our fishery here at John H. Kerr Reservoir. Also, please remember that it is a violation to place structures in the lake without permission.
If you have any questions or concerns about this project feel free to call Billy Hoffer, Conservation Biologist at the Corps Visitor Assistance Center at (434) 738-6143 extension 6159.
Kerr Lake Park Watch adds, take the kids along to the parks when you discard the Christmas tree. It’s a great time to take a brisk walk around the park and the area!