This Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Parks are encouraging people to ‘opt out’ of the shopping and chaos and ‘opt outside’ instead.

Governor optimistic about federal support post-storm

Tourism during fall foliage season is big business in Virginia. While cleanup is still underway for areas hit hard by Helene, local businesses are hoping to attract visitors.

Thousands of pounds of debris are clogging Claytor Lake from Helene, and since the storm, crews have been constantly cleaning up to get it back to where it once was.

Since Helene tore through southwest Virginia, cleanup crews from all over have been working to clean up the mess left over.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Claytor Lake in Pulaski County was left with massive debris fields prompting extensive clean-up efforts that could last several months, authorities previously told 10 News.

It’s been two weeks since Helene brought devastation across southwest Virginia and Governor Youngkin said recovery is now the focus.

Clean-up continues in Pulaski County after severe flooding from Helene.

While cleanup efforts have been going on for days, debris continues to pour in at Claytor Lake.

The second annual Blue Ridge Mountain Summer Series Championship is back for another year, and all weekend racers will be out on the lake participating in a variety of events.

Thanks to Trudy Lytton for today’s Picture of the Day from Claytor Lake.

Thanks to Chef Loren for today’s Picture of the Day from Claytor Lake.

The American Society of Civil Engineers hosts a competition every year for civil engineering students, and this year, Virginia Tech got to host at Claytor Lake State Park.

Ice crystals in cirrus clouds are responsible for this phenomenon

Thanks to Kimberly Ascue for today’s Picture of the Day from Claytor Lake.

Officials at Claytor Lake State Park are collecting trees to put at the bottom of the lake.

Pulaski County leaders are happy to help continue children's education after high school.

The next supermoon won't happen until August of 2024.

A body was recovered from Claytor Lake, according to Pulaski County emergency officials.

New River Valley leaders are raising money to help continue students higher education it's part of the American Jet Sport Assocation Races taking place this weekend at Claytor Lake.

Claytor Lake State Park officials are providing some safety tips for the water ahead of the holiday weekend.

The unofficial kickoff to summer has begun.

A man was found dead in Claytor Lake on Friday afternoon, according to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.

Thanks to Jinia for today’s Picture of the Day from Claytor Lake.

Two people are hurt after a jet ski incident in the Spooky Hollow of Claytor Lake, Pulaski County Emergency Management officials said.

It may be January, but on Tuesday, it was Christmas for the fish at Claytor Lake State Park.

Before you take down the Christmas tree and toss it out, give it one more job this holiday season.

Undergoing rescue training, a Blacksburg diver plunges into Claytor Lake and ends up finding a treasure that would change a woman’s life forever.

Despite a little chill in the air, families still found a way to relax at Claytor Lake this Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial start to summer.

PULASKI COUNTY, Va. – UPDATEAuthorities have named the two man that died after a boating accident on Claytor Lake in Pulaski County. Faron Gardner, 67, of Hillsville and Reginald Sizemore, 70, of Dublin were on Claytor Lake when their boats collided, according to the Virginia Dept. Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the accident, and neither of the men were wearing life jackets. ORIGINAL STORYTwo people are dead after a boating accident on Claytor Lake, near Peak Creek, according to Conservation Police. AdMultiple agencies responded to Peak Creek, which is about half a mile away from where the incident took place on Claytor Lake.

Thanks to Debbie for sending us today’s Picture of the Day out of Claytor Lake!

The species, which is in appearance, is nearly identical to the Spotted Bass, threatens both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass through competition and hybridization, according to DGIF. Although Alabama Bass, which are native to Alabama and parts of Georgia, can grow somewhat larger than Spotted Bass, DGIF says they have a tendency to become stunted, ultimately creating a fishery dominated by small bass. Here's a comparison between Alabama Bass, Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass (iNaturalist Angling for Black Bass Conservation Project)DGIF believes that further spread of Alabama Bass may jeopardize bass fisheries in systems such as Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna, Lake Moomaw, South Holston Reservoir, the upper James River, and the Shenandoah River. Existing Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations saw negative impacts after Alabama Bass entered the water in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, according to DGIF. Contact DGIF at fisheries@dgif.virginia.gov or at 804 367-1293Anyone with information about intentioal stockings of Alabama Bass should contact DGIF law enforcement at 800-237-5712 or WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov.

Friends of Claytor Lake (FOCL) helps preserve and keep Claytor Lake clean year-round. Rapp said the lake is one of Pulaski County’s hidden gem, “It’s one of Pulaski County’s best kept secrets, Smith Mountain Lake gets a lot of notoriety, but Claytor Lake doesn’t.”FOCL cleans all 21 miles of the lake from April to November. “In some coves you can even walk across the lake without even getting wet it’s so much debris,” Rapp said. Friends of Claytor Lake is holding its annual community cleaning day event on Saturday, June 27. Instead of meeting up in a large group, FOCL is encouraging lake residents to clean their own properties.

CLAYTOR LAKE, Va. – If you have been waiting to cool off from the summer heat in a lake, your wait is over. Virginia’s state parks, including Claytor Lake and Smith Mountain Lake, reopened their swimming areas Friday morning after COVID-19 delayed the season. Hundreds of people made the trip to Claytor Lake’s swimming area on its first day of operation. “We were stuck in the house and we wanted to have fun, so we came out here,” said Abi Lineberoy. Havens believes the park will continue to draw summer crowds, and that the park has adequately prepared for the rush.

Starting Friday, you can again enjoy the lakefront beaches at both Smith Mountain Lake and Claytor Lake. However, if overcrowding occurs, these beaches will be closed. Those at either beach are advised to respect social distancing and not participate in team sports. Claytor LakeBoth the beach and snack bar open Friday. Here’s a look a the lake’s upcoming beach and snack bar schedule:June 12-14 (Fri-Sun) Guarded beach and snack bar availableJune 15-17 (Mon-Wed) Swim at your own risk and no snack barJune 18-21 (Thur-Sun) Guarded beach and snack bar availableJune 22-24 (Mon-Wed) Swim at your own risk and no snack barJune 25-28 (Thur-Sun) Guarded beach and snack bar available

CLAYTOR LAKE, Va. – Claytor Lake State Park usually experiences a Memorial Day Weekend rush of people longing for their first taste of summer. Some people decided to make the trek to Claytor Lake, despite social distancing. “We do typically come down to the lake on Memorial Day Weekend," Williams said. They expected the typical Memorial Day Weekend crowd, but were proven wrong when they arrived. Cicadas have started to emerge at the park, and torrential rain from the week filled Claytor Lake with murky water and driftwood.

Thanks to Justin for sending us this great photo of Claytor Lake. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.