History on How and Why Lake Anna was created.

Photo of the dam at Lake Anna, Virginia

In 1971, Domion Power Nuclear Plant was created to provide 1,786 megawatts from its two units - enough electricity to power 450,000 homes. Unit 1 began commercial operation in June, 1978 and Unit 2 followed in December 1980.

To accomplish this, a dam was built on the North Anna River, in the vicinity of the town of Bumpass, in Louisa County, Virginia. The creation of this dam, formed the 9,600 acre Lake Anna reservoir with the created 3,400 acre waste heat treatment facility being used to provide the cooling water for the station. North Anna Power Station uses water from Lake Anna to condense steam back to water inside the station. The water is returned to the lake slightly warmer than when it was taken. The discharged water cools in a series of private cooling lagoons, known as the Waste Heat Treatment Facility.

These cooling lagoons are actually, 3 tributaries that were formed with the creation of the lake. Each of these have been diked to separate them from the main lake. Lagoons were then created between each of these tributares, to connect them to each other. The last tributary, is connected to the main lake, where the cooled water is returned, having cooled sufficiently to retain the normal temperatures of the main lake.

Photo of Dominion Power Plant on Lake Anna, Virginia

In 1972 work began on the acquisition and development of a water-oriented state park. Lake Anna State Park opened in 1983. The land in Lake Anna State Park used to be known as "Gold Hill" and contained the Goodwin Gold Mine. Gold was first discovered in 1829 with mining reaching its peak in the 1880s. The last gold to be found was in a zinc mine during the 1940s. While boating and fishing on this beautiful lake are major attractions, these are only some of the park's offerings. Lakefront picnic areas and wooded hiking trails are also popular. During the summer, interpretive programs on the nature and history of the area complement exhibits and displays in the visitor center. Lake Anna State Park has nearly nine miles of hiking trails, lakeshore picnicking, a guarded swimming beach, a children's play area, a boat ramp, a food concession stand, a bathhouse and a children's and handicapped fishing pond.