The Rappahannock Canal ran dry Thursday morning and employees from the City of Fredericksburg are trying to find out why.
A photo posted to the city’s official Facebook account shows workers in yellow vests trudging through the now-muddy canal banks near James Monroe High School, with just a thin stream of water trickling by and a pipe exposed.
“Please be assured that the City will work as quickly as possible, so as to minimize wildlife disruptions,” the post reads.
With water levels low, staff will take the opportunity to conduct “routine maintenance” on the canal’s maintenance system. The Facebook post also advised residents not to mistake any aromas emanating from the canal for sewage.
Instead, “it is due to natural biofilm, resident microbes, algae, or mud,” the post reads. “Typically, these odors are not noticeable when these microorganisms are submerged underwater.”
