Shenandoah National Park is working with utility partners to make repairs and upgrade infrastructure in an effort to proactively mitigate damage from future storms and weather events, according to a National Park Service release.
Work has started to replace utility poles and repair power lines along two utility corridors in the park. It will impact visitor services at Elkwallow, Mathews Arm Campground and Big Meadows.
The Elkwallow Wayside entrance at Shenandoah National Park is closed after high-wind damage and power outages in early April. The area will continue to be closed for repairs.
At Big Meadows, intermittent power outages are now occurring Mondays through Thursdays in April. During outages, Big Meadows Wayside and the Byrd Visitor Center will use generators. However, bathrooms and showers at the campground will be closed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
Ice and wood sales will be moved to the Wayside, according to the release.
Work will begin in the northern part of the park once repairs in Big Meadows are complete. Elkwallow Wayside and Mathews Arm Campground will delay opening for the season. The park reported extensive wind damage and power outages in early April at Elkwallow.
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Rappahannock Electric Cooperative was previously working with Shenandoah on a project to upgrade electric equipment, including poles.
High fire danger coupled with a forecasted wind event prompted the park to contact REC as well as Dominion Energy and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative to request five lines in heavily wooded areas be deenergized to reduce the risk of fire. Despite this precautionary measure, the high wind event produced widespread damage, causing outages and additional work, according to the park.
Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park has faced intermittent power outages this month due to high winds.
The Matthews Arm Circuit experienced an exceptional degree of damage which required the removal of more than 250 dead or downed trees on the powerline easement, according to the release. More than a dozen poles were broken or damaged.
REC has also identified 33 poles on the Big Meadows line that need to be replaced. Fixing the poles takes specialized equipment and there is a permitting process for work in the NPS easement, all of which impacts the timeline. At this time, there is not a date for completion, the park stated.
