Lake Thompson

Lake Thompson Is Draining
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) recently discovered the water level was dropping at Lake Thompson, a 10-acre lake on the DGIF Thompson Wildlife management Area in Fauquier County and immediately began an engineering assessment of possible causes. DGIF, in consultation with contract dam safety engineers, determined that the bottom drain attached to the base of the principal spillway had failed somewhere along its course near the lake bottom upstream of the riser. Attempts to locate the source of the leak and render an economical, quick fix have not been successful and; unfortunately, it appears the lake will slowly drain.
The lake is dropping at a rate of about 6 inches per day and is expected to be nearly dry within the next few weeks. DGIF will monitor the lake level and dam as the water continues to drop and conduct additional assessments to evaluate potential long-term repairs. Smallmouth bass have been and will continue to be removed from the lake and transported to Front Royal Fish Hatchery to serve as brood stock.
Anglers are advised that fishing access to the lake is becoming more difficult each day as the water level continues to drop and more mud is exposed; however, there are a few rocky areas that can provide access to the water's edge. All visitors and anglers should use extreme caution under these changing conditions.

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