Recreational Water Advisory for McClure River Sewage Spill

April 10, 2026
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov
Repair Contact: Dennis Baker, Dickenson County PSA, dbaker@dickensonpsa.com

VDH Issues Recreational Water Advisory for the McClure River
People and Pets Should Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water

HAYSI, Va. – Due to reports of a sewage spill to a tributary of the McClure River and the anticipated timeline for repairs, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is issuing a recreational water advisory for Virginia residents. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising Virginia residents avoid recreational water activities in the McClure River, such as swimming, wading, tubing, white-water canoeing or kayaking, where full-body submersion is more likely to occur. Boating activities where full-body submersion is not likely to occur (motor boating, flatwater canoeing or kayaking, and fishing) may continue with proper caution to avoid exposure to contaminated water.

The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution due to a sewage spill to a tributary of the McClure River that was discovered by the Dickenson Public Sewer Authority the week of April 10. The timeline for the repair is expected to occur over the next week but given the uncertainty of the location and issues which may arise, VDH is issuing the advisory so the public may avoid the area until a repair is confirmed.  The advisory area extends from the McClure River in front of Electric Hardwoods on Dickenson Hwy to the bridge over the Russell Fork River on State Route 63 Big Ridge Rd. in Dickenson County in the town of Haysi, Virginia.

VDH has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

For updates on the repair status, contact Dennis Baker, Executive Director of the Dickenson County Public Service Authority at (276) 835-1580.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage spill events, people should:

• Avoid contact with water in the advisory area and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
• Avoid any area of the water body where water has a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
• Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
• Rinse or wash items that come into contact with the water, including clothing, fishing gear, life vests, ropes and paddles.
• Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.
• When harvesting fish, discard skin, organs, cook the meat to proper temperature, and clean cutting boards and cutting implements with warm soapy water. For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.