State regulators have shut down a small hydroelectric plant in Alleghany County that was draining parts of Falling Spring Creek dry.
After hearing complaints from residents who live along the creek, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality began an investigation of Hydro-FS LLC, which operates a plant that takes water from the creek to generate electricity for Dominion Energy.
During an unannounced inspection in May, DEQ found the plant was temporarily withdrawing nearly 5 million gallons of water a day from the creek, exceeding state guidelines.
