Animated Park Ranger image standing with throw ring at a lake project with campgrounds and boating in the background.

Alerts at John H. Kerr Reservoir

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Expand List item 37091Collapse List item 37091  WINTER CAMPING AT JOHN H KERR RESERVOIR (Updated NOV 2024)
  • 1 November 2024 - 16 March 2025
  • Campsites 78 – 103 open with electricity $20/Night
  • Campsite 93 – Double site $40/Night
  • Camping equipment must be on the campsite at all times to indicate the site is occupied.
  • One bathhouse is available with hot water and heat.
  • No water hookups at site!
  • Potable water is available at the Dump Station.
  • Cash not accepted.
  • Boat Ramp/DUA – Free for campers.
Expand List item 37093Collapse List item 37093  2024 - 2025 JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR PRESCRIBED BURN SEASON

BOYDTON, V.A. – What is a prescribed burn? A prescribed burn is a planned fire, conducted by trained professionals, used to achieve specific natural resource objectives. Many types of plants and wildlife need fire to survive. Periodic fire stimulates growth, helps reproduction of plants, provides wildlife habitat, and ensures healthier natural areas around the lake. The US Army Corps of Engineers conducts prescribed burns each year between the months of December and April. The burns are carried out on large portions of natural areas around the lake including: Wildlife Management Areas, timber tracts, and recreational sites. Safety is the number one concern during all prescribed burns. Well before a match is struck, the burn team considers the safety of people, property, and the natural areas they are managing. Safety considerations and preparations include:

  • Burn Plan: a detailed plan is created for each specific burn that includes the burn objectives, plans for fire and smoke control, acceptable weather conditions, equipment and personnel needs, and contingencies for changing conditions.
  • Firebreak Construction: wide corridors of cleared land that are free of burnable material are created around each burn area, ensuring that the fire does not leave the designated burn site.
  • Smoke Management: prescribed burns are conducted only when conditions will minimize the amount of smoke produced and its effect on people.
  • Certified Fire Team: all the prescribed burns by the US Army Corps of Engineers at the John H. Kerr Reservoir are conducted by trained professionals, certified by both North Carolina and Virginia Forest Service agencies. 

The natural resource managers with the US Army Corps of Engineers conduct prescribed burns for a number of reasons. Prescribed burns help to reduce the hazardous buildup of vegetation, known as fuel, which if left unchecked could lead to a devastating wildfire that would threaten the local communities. Furthermore, many plant and animal species need fire to thrive. Prescribed burns help reduce competition, release seeds, add precious nutrients into the soil, and promotes beneficial plant species that attract wildlife. Prescribed burns also play a large role in forest management where they are used for understory control, disease containment, and site preparation. The following sites are scheduled to be burned during the 2024 prescribed burn season. This list is subject to change based on weather and site conditions:

Beaver Pond WMA

Tates Branch WMA

Merifield WMA

Clover WMA

Bluestone WMA

Lower Butchers WMA

Occoneechee WMA

Turtle Head FMA

Banister North WMA

Old Soudan WMA

Ivy Hill WMA/Ivy Hill Park

Island Creek Day Use Area

 

As members of the public who enjoy the John H. Kerr Reservoir, the US Army Corps of Engineers hope you recognize the importance of prescribed burning as a necessary tool used to protect you and your community and improve ecosystem health in the natural areas around the lake. Thank you for your understanding during the prescribed burn season. For additional information please contact the Visitor Assistance Center at 434.738.6143 x 6159.

Expand List item 37092Collapse List item 37092  JOSEPH SJ TANNER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER CLOSURE (Updated 13 DEC 2024) 

The Environmental Education Center is closed from September 3, 2024 through March 6, 2025 for building improvements and upgrades. These dates are subject to change. John H. Kerr Rangers are continuing to facilitate interpretive programs and host field trips, but no field trips can occur at the Joseph S.J. Tanner Environmental Education Center during this time. If you are a teacher, community group, or organization interested in an interpretive (educational) program during this period of time please call Ranger Emily Jones at 434.738.6143 ext. 6171. Currently, the Joseph S.J. Tanner Center is scheduled to resume normal summer operation hours beginning April 5, 2025. 

General Information

Contact Us

Call the Visitor Assistance Center with any questions regarding alerts at 434.738.6143.

Corps-managed Park Status

To learn the open/close status of Corps-managed boat ramps and day use areas please call 434.738.6143 press 5.

Caution

When boating beyond buoy 23,  use caution and proceed at slow speeds due to the shallow waters and changing nature of the river channels!