Help end pollution of the Maury River from the Goshen Scout Reservation

Early August 2023, northwest Rockbridge County, Virginia: The owner/operator of Goshen Scout Reservation started draining Lake Merriweather with no prior announcement, no public warning.

Within minutes, the release of lake water through Goshen Dam brought tons of sediment into the Maury River and its tributary Little Calfpasture River. The draining continued into September, causing massive pollution.

People familiar with the history of the Scouts’ management of Lake Merriweather have come to expect an emptying of the lake from fall to early spring. No one’s happy about it, but the National Capital Area Council BSA says it’s the only way they can remove debris and sediment.

Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality says there are better ways. They also say sediment pollution from Lake Merriweather can be reduced to an acceptable level.

But pollution will only worsen unless the Scouts, the commonwealth, our local governments, and a concerned public exercise their respective powers to curtail it.

Maury River Alliance is working to create public awareness and amass vocal support for environmentally sound management of Lake Merriweather and Goshen Dam.