Reservoir Park

Together, Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks have developed Reservoir Park to promote the health and wellness of local residents and visitors. Interpretive destinations will focus on their strong partnership, highlighting the connections between ecological health, human health, and recreation -- as well as their mission to protect the natural resources entrusted to their care.
The park will include educational features to inspire a sense of stewardship in all visitors. Exhibits illustrating the importance of the reservoir and its ecology will be designed to help people understand the value of water to everyday life. Source water protection themes will be featured throughout the park to remind visitors that the reservoir is first and foremost a source of clean drinking water for Loudoun residents.

Rules & Regulations

Beaverdam Reservoir, owned by Loudoun Water, is first and foremost a source of public drinking water.  Loudoun Water has partnered with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) to manage recreational activities and public access.  Public activity and access is controlled by state law, local ordinance, NOVA Parks Regulations, NOVA Parks Rules, and general operating policies, permits and procedures, each providing penalties for non-compliance.  Failure to abide by these rules may result in violators being ejected from the property.

•  Reservoir Park and Beaverdam Reservoir is open for public access from sunrise to sunset.   Access gates will be closed promptly at sunset.
• Trespassing in the restricted area around the dam, spillway, inlet control tower, outlet structure, pump station, or other ancillary facility is strictly prohibited.  Reference the reservoir map for the location of the restricted area.  
• Swimming, bathing or wading in the Beaverdam Reservoir is prohibited.
• Persons fishing in the Beaverdam Reservoir shall comply with Virginia state game laws and all special conditions established by NOVA Parks.
• No person shall in any manner dispose or place at, on or in Beaverdam Reservoir any garbage, waste, bottles, cans, oil, glass or other unsightly or unsanitary material.
• Patrons may only enter the property at designated entry points.
• Bicycles are encouraged within Reservoir Park on all paved paths. However, for the long term sustainability of the natural surface trail system, bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the natural surface trails.
• No hunting, camping or fires are permitted.
• Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited.
• Please clean up after your pet.  Pets must remain on a leash and under a person’s control at all times.  Domestic animals are not permitted in Beaverdam Reservoir.
• Conduct that may endanger the welfare of any person is strictly prohibited.

To report an emergency, call 911.  To report suspicious activity, please call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number 703-777-1021.  NOVA Parks staff may be contacted by calling 571-800-8340.

Boating Rules & Regulations

• Federal & State Law, requires all boaters to carry one wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved, Type I, II, III life jacket for each person on the boat or paddle craft.  Children under the age of 13 must always wear a life jacket.  Boaters 13 & older are not required by law to wear the life jacket.  However, NOVA Parks encourages their use when on the water. 
• All persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older at all times. 
• The launch, docking and retrieval of all watercraft shall be permitted only at designated shore launch areas, and are subject to a launch fee, per vessel.
•  Shore launching only.  To protect this drinking water source, the use of trailers or dollies to launch is not permitted.  Due to parking limitations, trailer parking is not permitted at the Mt. Hope, Reservoir Road or Mt. Hope Church locations. 
• No vessel shall be launched that is powered by an internal combustion engine (gasoline), only electric or manually powered vessels are permitted.  This applies to personal watercraft (e.g. Jet Ski) as well.  Electric outboard motors are restricted to a 9.9 horsepower limit.
• Only inflatable boats with three (3) or more chambers may be launched at shoreline launch areas with the exception of stand up paddle boards.  E-foil, electric surfboards are not permitted on the reservoir.
• Boats shall not enter the restricted area round the dam, spillway, or inlet control tower, which extends 400’ southward from the dam as designated by orange buoys.   
• No loitering or congregating in designated launch areas. 
• No person shall moor a boat to any buoy or other man-made structure.
• While boating, you may encounter unmarked shallow areas and submerged obstacles. Please be observant and use caution.
• No person shall operate a vessel in a reckless manner.
• All boats and water contact equipment must be thoroughly cleaned prior to entering Beaverdam Reservoir to prevent the introduction of non-native aquatic species.