Swift Creek Reservoir, reservoir in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Swift Creek Reservoir is a man-made lake in Chesterfield County, Virginia, covering about 1700 acres (690 hectares) and created by a dam. The water is fed by eight streams, including Little Tomahawk Creek and Tomahawk Creek itself, and serves both as a water supply for the region and as a recreational space.
The reservoir was constructed in 1965 to supply water to surrounding communities and manage flood risk. Since the 1990s, a Watershed Management Committee has overseen water quality and land use in the region to protect this resource for the long term.
The reservoir is a gathering place for residents of the nearby communities of Brandermill and Woodlake, who come here for family outings and outdoor gatherings in nature. Its presence shapes daily life in these neighborhoods and offers a quiet space to escape the busy pace of city living.
The lake offers activities like fishing and boating, but direct public access to the water is limited; residents of nearby Brandermill and Woodlake neighborhoods can reach it through private docks and community parks. In summer months, visitors should be aware that algae blooms can occur, though the county uses monitoring devices to manage water quality.
The reservoir was among the first in the United States to receive an LG Sonic Vertical Profiler system, an advanced monitoring device that measures water quality at different water depths. This technology allows the county to detect and respond to issues faster than traditional testing methods.
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