U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jennings Randolph Lake

07/24/2024

Safety shouldn’t be an afterthought! Before heading out on the water make sure that safety always comes first!

Please Wear It

07/22/2024

Don't miss our Christmas in July event on Saturday, July 27 at the campground! We will be making Christmas ornaments in the morning followed by a snowball fight in the afternoon. There will be a Christmas movie at 8pm.

There will be a contest for the best decorated campsite on Saturday night. The judges will be coming around at dark to check out the sites and choose a winner. The winning site will receive a voucher for a free night of camping that can be used for a future reservation. Only the person registered to the winning campsite will receive the voucher.

We can't wait to see everyone's decorated sites! We still have several campsites available so be sure to make your reservation before we sell out! 🎅🦩🎄

07/20/2024

Get somebody new up on the water! Be sure the person(s) being towed and all those watching them know these communication hand signals. It’s the watcher’s responsibility to convey messages to the boat operator so they know what to do.

07/19/2024

We are seeking volunteers for the Bigfoot Night Hike event on August 24, 2024. Volunteers are needed for the trail, registration, raffles, and activities. Volunteers will be needed from approximately 7pm - 11pm.

If interested in volunteering, please contact the main office and ask to speak with a ranger or message our page. 304-355-2346.

07/19/2024

Sun, glare, wind, noise, and motion from riding in a boat are things that can slow your reaction time almost as if you were legally intoxicated. Boat sober to help ensure you and others return home safely.

07/18/2024

Join us on Saturday, July 20 for some activities!

Meet the rangers at the camp store pavilion at 11:00am to conduct science experiments.
Black Rock Wind Farm will be giving a presentation on the local wind mills at 3:00pm at the camp store.
Every Saturday at 8:00pm is movie night in the campground.

07/18/2024

On Saturday, July 13, JRL staff and partners held the annual Water Safety Festival at Shaw Beach. Depsite the low lake level we still had a great turnout with almost 100 participants!

We played water safety games like Reach, Throw, Row, dunk a ranger, and built boats. The Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake had concessions available, rented a bounce house, and had paddle boat rides.

Members from WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital joined us this year to educate participants on the impacts of melanoma and handed out sunglasses, sunscreen, and bracelets that change color under UV light. Kitzmiller Swift Water Rescue Unit brought their rescue boat for everyone to see. Elk Garden EMS was on site for safety. Thank you to our partners and visitors for a great event!

07/15/2024

Water can be fun to recreate in, but respect it because if you don’t play it safe it can take your life, so Please Wear It.

07/12/2024

LAKE LEVEL UPDATE:

Due to drought conditions the past several weeks, the lake has been steadily dropping in elevation. The Howell Run Boat Launch and Shaw Beach remain open for use. Boats can still be launched but the courtesy dock is no longer floating. The beach area will soon be out of water but the area will remain open for shoreline access.

To support the project’s mission of water supply for downstream communities, the dam will continue to let out approximately 250cfs. This affects some recreation areas such as the beach and boat launch but is typical for late summer. The current lake elevation is 1451.98ft. The lake is about 14 feet below conservation pool (summer pool) which is 1466ft.

For more lake information, visit https://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/nab/RANDO.html.

07/11/2024

Join us this Saturday from 12-3 at Shaw Beach for the Water Safety Festival! We will have games, a bounce house, paddle boats, give-aways, raffles, food, and more!

Depsite the low lake levels, we are still having the event. Hope to see you there! 😎

07/10/2024

Water will NOT cushion your fall. Most people that decide to jump think it will, but it won’t. Hitting the water can be like hitting concrete. Cliff jumping can kill and hurt parts of your body that you value most due to the force of water or from underwater debris.

This video is a dramatization of what can and does happen when people make the poor choice to cliff jump. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reminds you to mak...

07/06/2024

On Friday, July 5th, the Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake held the Annual Patriotic Bike Parade in the campground. Bobber the Water Safety Dog led the parade. Participants were given decorations for their bikes during registration. They were also given bandanas to tie-dye for themselves and their pets. Two winners were chosen and received a $5 voucher for the camp store. Everyone and their dogs were given water safety frisbees and ice cream. Thanks to everyone who participated! 🇺🇸

07/04/2024

Operation Dry Water is July 4-6, 2024. Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols will be conducted on many waterways across the country this weekend. Sun, glare, wind, noise, and motion from riding in a boat are things that can slow your reaction time almost as if you were legally intoxicated.

and wear your life jacket!

07/03/2024

REMINDERS TO VISITORS THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND:

🚫Fireworks are prohibited on Corps Projects.
🚤Practice safe boating while on the water. Boat Safe, Boat Sober.
🚣‍♂️Remember to always wear a life jacket when in or near the water.
🎣Tuesday, July 4th is Free Fishing Day in Maryland. Anglers must follow all MD fishing laws and regulations.

The event schedule for this weekend is as follows:

Friday, July 5, 9:00-11:00 - Bike Parade Registration at the Camp Store and tie-dying bandanas. Registered participants will be given decorations for their bikes. Personal decorations are permitted.
Friday, July 5, 3:00pm - Bike Parade through the campground. Dogs are welcome to walk in the back of the parade. All dogs will receive a free vanilla pup-cup.
Saturday, July 6, 3:00pm - Meet at the Camp Store for a color run/walk through the campground. Free white t-shirts will be available at 2:30 at the pavilion. Youth S-XL only, first-come first-serve.
Saturday, July 6, 8:00pm - Join the Friend's Group for a movie at the Camp Store pavilion.

We wish you all a SAFE and Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

07/03/2024

Follow these simple tips to help ensure that you have a great Fourth of July weekend. Historically, this is one of the riskiest times of the year for boating and water-related activities and many fatalities occur.

Remember Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns and Please Wear It.

07/01/2024

July is an extremely busy time of year on our nation’s waterways, so please wear your life jacket and engine cutoff device. Always boat sober and operate your vessel in a safe and friendly manner.

06/30/2024

It is going to be a busy month at Jennings! Check our event calendar and plan your visit to the park! 😎☀️

Check out this month's event calendar! Be sure to book your campsite and join in on the fun!

06/27/2024

When operating a personal watercraft (PWC) don’t cut in front of someone else and remember when you let off the throttle you lose all steering capability. Drive responsibly, keep a constant lookout for other boaters, and wear a USCG-approved life jacket for PWC use.

06/27/2024

EVENT SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 29:

8:30am - Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake Archery Tournament Registration, $15 per person. Meet at the archery course pavilion in the campground.
9:00am - Archery Shoot begins.
11:00am - Presentation about fireflies with Susan Carroll from WV DEP at the Camp Store Pavilion.
8:00pm - Movie Night in the campground.

Please see flyers for more details or call the office, 304-355-2346.

06/21/2024

EVENT SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 22:

9:00am - Meet at the camp store pavilion to go on a guided hike on the Sunset Trail. Pets are welcome on a leash. Please bring water.

11:00am - Join the Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake at the store to paint rocks for the campground rock garden.

8:00pm-10:00pm: Join us for the annual Glow Swim at Shaw Beach. Particpants must sign a waiver and are required to wear a life jacket to participate. We encourage you to bring your own life jacket as supplies are limited. The Friends Group will have concessions available.

06/06/2024

If you are planning a trip to Jennings Randolph Lake this weekend, be sure to join us in the campground on Saturday for some activities!

At 11:00am, Brian Friend will be at the Camp Store Pavilion to give a presentation on snakes. There will be live snakes present.

After that, from 1:30-3:30, we will be celebrating National Take a Kid Fishing Day at Kalbaugh Pond. Each kid who participates in the fishing event will have their name entered into a drawing to win prizes. We encourage you to bring your own fishing poles as supplies are very limited. The Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake will provide bait and will have some refreshments available.

These events are free and open to the public. Please call the main office with any questions, 304-355-2346.

05/31/2024

It’s Big Fish Friday! If you have a picture of you wearing a life jacket with your big catch, please share it with why you wear a life jacket in the comments.

05/30/2024

Here is the calendar of events for June. Hope to see you this month!

05/29/2024

Click the link below to watch the Life Jackets Worn...Nobody Mourns videos on America's Boating Channel. Let us know in the comments which video you like the best. Thanks, and please wear a life jacket when in, on, or near open water (lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.).

THE CORPS FOUNDATION

05/27/2024

Today and throughout the year take time to remember the lives lost fighting for our freedom.

05/25/2024

Take your kid to enjoy your favorite lake or river because those memories will last a lifetime. Set a good example and please wear your life jacket too, so that the memories you make are good ones.

05/24/2024

It is going to be a busy holiday weekend at Jennings! This weekend's events are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Robert W. Craig Campground.

SATURDAY:
11:00am - Bubble wand craft with the Friend's Group
7:00pm - Wagon Ride and S'mores
8:00pm - Movie night and popcorn

SUNDAY:
11:00am - SLIME craft with the Friend's Group
8:00pm - Movie night and popcorn

REMINDER: Drive-throughs in the campground are not allowed on holiday weekends and all camper's visitors must exit the campground by 10:00pm.

Always remember to wear your life jacket when in, on, or near the water. Statistics show that 90% of those who drown at USACE lakes and rivers may have survived if they had worn a life jacket.

We wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

05/24/2024

Following these simple tips can help ensure that you have a good Memorial Day weekend. Historically, this is one of the riskiest times of the year for boating and water-related activities and many fatalities occur. Remember Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns so Please Wear It.

05/22/2024

A harmless day of fun can quickly turn into a tragic event. By always wearing your life jacket and asking others to do so too could save your life or the life of someone you care about. Please Wear It

Partying with friends on a boat can be great fun but it can turn tragic in an instant. Watch this fast-paced video to see some young party-goers learn a vit...

05/20/2024

It’s time to get prepared for boating season! The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state.

The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state.