For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Sue Crosby, Manager Outreach/Education March 6, 2015 571.291.7893 Beaverdam Creek Reservoir Will Temporarily Re-open to the Public June 1 Loudoun Water Board Chairman Johnny Rocca, Loudoun County Chairman Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York and Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert announced today that Beaverdam Creek Reservoir will temporarily re-open to the public on June 1, 2015. The next phase of construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2016 at which time public access will be restricted again. Planners anticipate that the facility be open to the public permanently in 2018. “We are pleased with the amount of work our team has accomplished over the past several months on the reservoir,” said Rocca. “We have a much better sense of the integrity of the infrastructure and the character of the reservoir as a whole. While the overall project schedule remains unchanged, this clarity provides us with a window of opportunity for the public to safely enjoy the reservoir and its surroundings.” Chairman York applauded Loudoun Water’s efforts to protect and upgrade this drinking-water resource while at the same time working with NOVA Parks to open the Beaverdam Reservoir for public recreation. “This facility is a very valuable asset to Loudoun Water’s business of providing drinking water to its customers,” said York. “While the primary purpose of the reservoir is a drinking-water resource, it is also a wonderful recreational amenity. I’m delighted that we are present today to hear that Loudoun Water, working with NOVA Parks, will be able to temporarily open Beaverdam for public use beginning this summer.” Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks agreed to a temporary arrangement for the park authority to manage the property when it opens on June 1, 2015. Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks will develop a separate, permanent agreement for managing the property beyond 2018 when construction is expected to be complete. "We are thrilled with the decision to open the reservoir to the public and we are honored to have the opportunity to manage this area as a park,” said Gilbert. “We have a lot of experience managing parkland that is also a natural buffer for drinking water. We would like to thank Chairman York and the Loudoun Water Board and management for this partnership opportunity." # # #