MONTCLAIR PROPERTY
OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Lake Montclair
Introduction To Lake Montclair
Lake Montclair is a unique feature of the community, and is a great outlet for those who enjoy the outdoors. The lake was created by damming the waters of Powell's Creek. The earthen dam, located at Dolphin Beach, helps maintain the water level of the lake. During instances of inclement weather or for maintenance purposes, a sluice gate is opened to release water from the lake into Powell's Creek.
Swim Advisory
Toxic harmful algal bloom occurring in Lake Montclair. Public advised to avoid water contact.
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High levels of potentially toxic algae have been found in Lake Montclair at all three beaches. A harmful algal bloom of cyanobacteria is occurring in the waterbody. This type of blue-green algae produces a toxin that can cause rashes and other illness. The Virginia Department of Health advises citizens to stay out of the water and to keep their pets and children out as well. Due to low body weight, children and pets are at a greater risk of severe illness if the water is ingested.
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To prevent illness, people should:
Avoid contact with any area of the waterbody where water is green, or an advisory is in place. Keep children and pets out of affected areas and promptly wash them with soap and water if they come into contact with algae. Never drink untreated water.
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The lake will continue to be monitored and when the Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) levels drop below the safety thresholds, these advisories will be lifted.
Water Quality Update
Surface water testing for E. Coli is conducted weekly and testing for Cyanobacteria is conducted every other week at all three of Montclair’s beaches during the summer swimming months. Per the association’s Water Quality plan, when testing results are in excess of the recommended thresholds a swim advisory shall be issued to the community and a new test promptly conducted. When the levels fall back below recommended thresholds the advisory may be lifted. Please refer to the most recent testing results below:
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E. Coli Test Results from June 3, 2025:
Recreational Advisories are issued whenever readings are greater than 235 Most Probable Number (MPN) per 100 mL.
Beaver Landing: 15 MPN/100 mL
Dolphin Beach: 8 MPN/100 mL
West Beach: 7 MPN/100mL​
Algae Test Results from June 2, 2025:
The next test will be June 9, 2025
Recreational Advisories are issued whenever Microcystis cell densities reach ≥40,000 cells/mL, and/or the combined cell densities of all other Cyanophyta species reach ≥100,000 cells/mL. No cell densities of Microcystis species were identified during the most recent test. The combined cell densities of all other potential toxin producing (Cyanophyta) species identified are detailed below.
Beaver Landing: 604,800 cells/mL
Dolphin Beach: 331,600 cells/mL
West Beach: 562,100 cells/mL
Swimming
Designated swim areas are located at Beaver Landing Beach, Dolphin Beach, and West Beach within the roped off areas. These areas are monitored by lifeguards during the beach season, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Swimming outside of the designated areas, or while lifeguards are not on duty, is at the sole risk of the swimmer. There is no diving permitted anywhere on the lake.
Boating
Boats operating on Lake Montclair must be registered with the MPOA office and display current registration stickers on the port side of the bow. No gas-engine powered boats are permitted on the lake. Electric motors may have a total horsepower of no more than 195 pounds of thrust, or 3.5 horsepower. For the safety of swimmers, boats should avoid the designated swim areas. Storage for self-propelled boats such as canoes and kayaks is available at West Beach for a fee of $25, renewed annually in October. There are no reserved spaces and storage is dependent on availability.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted from boats, community docks, and on the shoreline. For the safety of swimmers, avoid fishing in or around the designated swim areas. Triploid carp are a protected species in the lake. These carp act as a biological control against hydrilla, and should not be hunted, killed, or removed from the lake.