Lake Anna – Dike 3

Lake Anna is the largest freshwater body in the Central Piedmont. This massive reservoir was impounded in 1971 as a cooling lake for the North Anna Nuclear Power Facility and has been attracting interesting wildlife ever since. Due to the warming effects of the power plant and the reservoir’s large size, it is usually the last freshwater reservoir to freeze in the winter. This results in concentrations of waterfowl which could include a few unusual species looking for a place to stop. Species to be on the lookout for in winter include common loon, red-necked and horned grebes, diving ducks such as redhead, ring-necked duck and greater and lesser scaup. In shallower waters look for dabblers such as American black duck, American widgeon and green-winged teal. Wildlife viewing is restricted to the DWR public fishing access along the shoreline so a spotting scope is helpful.

During the summer months the lake is less productive for birds but holds a good variety of dragonflies with slaty skimmers and eastern amberwings skirting the surface and damselflies such as Rambur’s forktail hiding in the reed beds. Butterflies concentrate in the moist muddy areas sometimes producing clouds of eastern tiger swallowtails, pearl crescents and American snouts.