FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – City work crews have now removed more than 15 tons of debris from the drained canal running through Fredericksburg and made several key repairs to its aeration system, according to the latest update from city officials.
The city says cleanup efforts are expected to continue through Wednesday, after which the canal will be refilled. That process could take between three and five days using pumps, though rainfall may accelerate the timeline. A photo shared by the city government shows piles of debris lining the canal bed as part of the extensive restoration work.
Despite the progress, the city has not yet identified the specific cause of the sudden and significant drop in water levels that residents first noticed on the morning of Thursday, April 25. In a previous statement, city officials mentioned a possible open sluice gate and a malfunctioning level sensor as areas of focus in their investigation.
Potomac Local News called on Caitlyn McGhee, spokeswoman for the City of Fredericksburg, to ask about the canal’s regular maintenance schedule, which city department is responsible for its upkeep, and whether a budget line item is dedicated to canal maintenance. As of publication time, the city has not responded.
Officials emphasize that wildlife remains “active and abundant” in the area. Once refilled, the cleanup is expected to improve water flow and overall canal health.
