Carvins Cove Natural Reserve

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Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the third largest city park in the United States, at 12,700 acres. It is located in Roanoke County, Virginia and Botetourt County, Virginia.

In the 1930's, Carvins Creek was dammed to create the Carvins Cove Reservoir, which for many decades served as the primary water source for the city of Roanoke. A small rural community was displaced by the reservoir's creation, and some of its roads and housing foundations become visible during droughts. A series of droughts in the late 1990's spurred the city of Roanoke and Roanoke County to create the Western Virginia Water Authority, which consolidated their water delivery systems.

The reservoir and the land below the 1,200 foot contour are owned by the authority. The land above the 1,200 foot contour is owned by the City of Roanoke. Some recreation, such as mountain biking is allowed around the reservoir. Boating and fishing are allowed on the reservoir itself, but there are strict limits to preserve water quality. The fear of zebra mussels motivated the city to apply the first restrictions in the early 1990's.