After more than 15 months, the Virginia Department of Health has lifted the recreational water advisory for portions of the Levisa River and Slate Creek in Buchanan County, clearing the way for residents to once again enjoy fishing, kayaking, swimming and other recreational activities.
The Cumberland Plateau Health District announced that the advisory was lifted effective immediately on June 26, after testing confirmed that water quality has returned to acceptable levels following repairs to flood-damaged sewer infrastructure.
The advisory had been in place since March 20, 2025, when severe flooding damaged sewer mains, resulting in an ongoing sewage overflow into the waterways.
The advisory covered the Levisa River from approximately one-half mile east of the Anchorage Shopping Center along U.S. 460 to the Kentucky state line, as well as portions of Slate Creek from the Buchanan County Department of Social Services on Route 83 downstream to the Levisa River.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, repairs to the damaged sewer system have now been completed and full wastewater flow has been restored.
The Buchanan County Public Service Authority collected water samples from the affected areas to measure bacteria levels. Laboratory analysis found that E. coli concentrations in the Levisa River are now at or below historic levels, allowing state health officials to remove the advisory.
With the advisory lifted, the public may once again safely participate in recreational activities on the affected sections of the river and creek.
Health officials noted that while the advisory has ended, residents should continue to use common sense when recreating in natural waterways, particularly following heavy rainfall, when bacteria levels can temporarily increase due to stormwater runoff.
The lifting of the advisory marks another step in Buchanan County’s recovery from the devastating flooding that damaged infrastructure throughout the region in 2025. Repairs to the county’s sewer system have restored normal operations and improved water quality in one of the county’s primary waterways.
The Virginia Department of Health said recreational users may resume normal activities in the Levisa River and Slate Creek effective immediately.
