By Uriah Kiser
Stafford County, Va. — Residents are invited to get an update on one of the region’s largest public works projects.
Stafford Hartwood Supervisor Gary Snellings will hold an informational meeting about the construction of the Rocky Pen Run Reservoir, which is being built in the southern portion of Stafford County.
When complete in 2013, the 5.5 billion gallon, 503-acre reservoir will go into the books as the largest public works project in Stafford County since construction of Interstate 95 began in the late 1950s.
“This is the largest project in the county, and in the region if I’m not mistaken, so this is really a big deal,” said Snellings.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Rocky Pen Run Elementary School at 95 Reservoir Road in south Stafford. Attendees will learn more about the reservoir and find out how it will impact their neighborhoods.
Snellings said he’s already spoken with many residents about the reservoir.
“Many of the questions I get are from people who want to know what things will be like when the reservoir is complete, like ‘will I will be to swim in it’ or ‘can I use my boat?’” said Snellings.
Those who want to swim or use a gasoline-powered boat on the water will be out of luck, as only fishing will be permitted in the water once construction is complete, said Snellings. The reservoir will be stocked with fish, he added.
When complete, the reservoir will pump in water from the nearby Rappahannock River during times when water flow is high. The water will be treated, much like water from Stafford County’s other reservoirs, Smith and Abel lakes, so it then can be used for drinking water.
Officials in October broke ground on a water treatment facility off U.S. 17 in south Stafford that that will be used to treat water from the reservoir. The total cost Rocky Pen Run Reservoir is expected to cost taxpayers $125 million. The cost of the water treatment facility was budgeted at $26 million.
Last year, project officials reported falling behind schedule on construction but maintained the reservoir would be open as planned in 2013.
