/ / / Dock Watch Program Plans for 2026

Dock Watch Program Plans for 2026

Doug Light, left, and Mary Colligan look at data collected by SMLA Dock Watch volunteers. Colligan presented about the SMLA program at the Virginia Water Monitoring Council annual conference.

The dock watch program intends to conduct a full year of sampling in 2026 with samples being taken at five docks year round and all 22 docks from April through October. As in 2025, these samples will be examined for the presence of the five target cyanobacteria.

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has been formed to serve as a forum for discussion on data collection and analysis. The Dock Watch program would welcome the participation of anyone interested in contributing to these technical discussions. Please reach out to dockwatch@smlassociation.org if you are interested.

The Dock Watch program is also interested in adding two new docks to the program to close gaps in current coverage. Specifically, we would like to add a dock in the Water’s Edge portion of the Blackwater arm or in the vicinity of the Anthony Ford boat ramp in Penhook. If you live in either of those areas and would like to join the dock watch program, please reach out to dockwatch@smlassociation.org.

  • 400 Scruggs Rd Suite 2100, Moneta, VA 24121

    (On the backside/lower level from Old Oak Cafe)

    Office hours:
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
    from 9AM to 4PM

Smith Mountain Lake Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). We are a volunteer-led organization that relies on memberships, donations and grants to support programs to keep SML clean and safe.

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