Mandatory water-conservation measures are now in effect for Warren County water consumers. This applies to customers of Warren County Public Utilities. Warren County’s water source is the Kerr Lake Regional Water System (KLRWS) and operates under their Drought Management Plan. Once William H. Kerr reservoir level hit 289 feet,11 feet below full pool, the KLWRS declared mandatory water use restrictions. Mandatory Water Conservation for Warren County effective immediately | News | lakegastongazette-observer.com
The long-term regional drought has significantly reduced Kerr Lake inflows over the last 6 months. The recent rainfall is having minimal impact on Kerr's continual water level drop.
Water-use restrictions are determined by each county based on the source of its potable water system. The Lake Gaston community is encouraged to follow guidance issued by their respective counties. Residents should be mindful of water use and make every effort to meet—or exceed—local conservation recommendations.
Water is a valuable, shared resource, and responsible conservation helps protect the benefits it provides to everyone in the region.
The Lake Gaston Association (LGA) will hold a Halifax County Commissioner Candidate Forum on Saturday, October 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Inn, 198 Fairground Lane, Weldon, NC 27890. Join us to hear from the candidates who are running for County Commissioner. The forum will be moderated by Jim Nystrom, LGA Community & Government Relations Chair. Each candidate will be allocated 15 minutes to present their Top 3 Priorities around the Lake Gaston area and why they are the most qualified candidate for this leadership position. If you'd like to comment or ask questions in advance, email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and they will be shared with the moderator for possible inclusion in the session. This meeting is open to the public and will be recorded and posted on the LGA’s YouTube Channel.
As water temperatures begin to rise, there has been a noticeable increase in aquatic plant growth throughout Lake Gaston. Warmer temperatures along with increased water clarity and reduced water flow —caused by limited releases from Kerr Lake due to drought conditions—are all contributing factors driving aquatic plant growth. Reduced water flow can also create more stable conditions, allowing aquatic plants to become established in areas that were previously unfavorable for growth.
My suggestion to all experiencing increased plant growth around their shoreline is to report it in the Public Report for Nuisance Aquatic Species Form https://arcg.is/0KHe0z0 . This will give me more information on location and species, plus it will add you to our running database. Aquatic plants can be easily mistaken, so emailing pictures showing the growth around your shoreline, as well as the plant out of the water would be very helpful. You can email the pictures directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For those in which a native species is identified, the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council is unable to direct treatments towards these species and it would be up to the homeowner to contact a licensed aquatic herbicide applicator and determine options for private treatments. Per Dominion’s Shoreline Management Plan, it's up to the applicator’s discretion on if the plant is causing enough of a navigational issue to warrant treatment. They have their own set of guidelines in relation to their herbicide license and what they can or can't treat.
For those in which one of our nuisance species, lyngbya and hydrilla, is identified your form entry will result in your property being added to our running database. While these species are targeted by Lake Gaston Weed Control Council facilitated management plans, addition to the database is no guarantee of a future LGWCC funded treatment. However, it is a reassurance that your property will be part of any future treatment discussions. All treatment programs for 2026 have been finalized, therefore additional areas cannot be added this year. However, homeowners do have the option of contacting a licensed aquatic herbicide applicator to determine options for private treatments.
We suggest that homeowners not included in the LGWCC’s treatment program contact a licensed private applicator to apply targeted algaecide and/or herbicide treatments. A list of applicators operating on Lake Gaston can be found HERE. The Weed Control Council contracts with Aqua Services for lyngbya treatments and PLM for hydrilla treatments, but other companies offer similar services.
Please feel free to reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any specific questions or concerns.
The Lake Gaston Association (LGA) has launched a new fundraising partnership with Bass Anglers for NC Lakes to help improve largemouth bass fishing in Lake Gaston. Through the partnership, the LGA is raising and matching funds to add a significant number of additional F1 hybrid largemouth bass fingerlings into the 2027 Lake Gaston stocking. The stocking is designed to strengthen the lake’s largemouth bass fishery, balance out the invasive Alabama bass, and help maintain Lake Gaston’s reputation as one of the region’s premier outdoor destinations.
F1 hybrid largemouth bass are first-generation crosses between Florida largemouth bass and northern largemouth bass. This first-generation cross brings “hybrid vigor,” with potential for rapid growth and a better ability to reach trophy size than other largemouth bass. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has stocked over 430,000 F1 hybrid bass fingerlings in Lake Gaston since 2023. The Commission has been committed to stocking Lake Gaston at a rate of 4 fish per acre throughout the experimental stocking project, and in some years additional external funding has allowed for higher stocking rates. NCWRC is evaluating the impact on largemouth bass populations through genetic sampling, electrofishing surveys, and tournament weigh-ins. The LGA is asking residents, anglers, businesses, and lake supporters to contribute in 2026 and increase the number of fish stocked in 2027.
The LGA welcomes donations of any size, with gifts of $100 or more especially encouraged. To increase the impact of community support, the LGA will match donations up to a total of $2,500, in which case donations plus matching funds could exceed $5,000. To donate, checks should be made payable to Lake Gaston Association with a note on the check indicating “LKG F1 Bass” so the LGA can properly match and direct contributions. Payments may be mailed to: LGA, PO Box 656, Henrico, NC 27842. For credit card payments, visit: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/KRZN2HR3LZ4DS or click on the link above.
Recreational and tournament fishing contribute to Lake Gaston’s strong local economy. Improving the population and size potential of the largemouth bass fishery helps enhance Lake Gaston’s reputation as a fishing destination.
In recent years invasive Alabama Bass have out-competed native largemouth bass in Lake Gaston. Stocking F1 hybrid largemouth bass is not a solution for invasive Alabama bass, but it can help strengthen the more desirable largemouth bass population, and improve the odds of catching a trophy-sized bass.
Bass Anglers for NC Lakes is a registered 501c(3) organization (nonprofit) organization supporting enhanced bass fisheries in North Carolina through verified F1 bass stocking and partnerships that help sustain high-quality fishing opportunities for anglers and lake communities. For more information, visit the Bass Anglers for NC Lakes website: https://www.ncf1bass.org/
The Lake Gaston Association (LGA), along with our local partners, has submitted comments, including letters and documentation, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, DC, requesting Dominion Energy (DE) to enhance and support its environmental stewardship and public interest responsibilities at Lake Gaston.
The LGA has represented the interests of local property owners and stakeholders for over 38 years in addressing water quality, aquatic vegetation, and the environmental health of Lake Gaston. The LGA recognizes DE’s efforts in operating the hydroelectric project but emphasizes the need for renewed commitment to tackle current challenges such as harmful cyanobacteria blooms, invasive aquatic vegetation, and water quality concerns. The LGA, along with the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council and our five county governments, is requesting FERC to prompt DE to take greater leadership in monitoring and mitigating these environmental issues, support invasive species management, expand public shoreline education programs, and increase financial investment in environmental initiatives.
The LGA believes that improving DE’s environmental leadership will benefit both the community and the long-term health of Lake Gaston. We look forward to working collaboratively with our partners, DE, and FERC to ensure the continued value of the lake for recreation, our local economies, and environmental integrity.
