Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, Virginia
Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, Virginia
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Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, Virginia
This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version
Claytor Lake is a spectacular 4,472-acre reservoir stretching 21 miles along the New River in Pulaski County, Virginia, created in 1939 when Appalachian Power Company completed the Claytor Dam and impounded the ancient New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old. Named for William Graham Claytor, Sr. of Roanoke, a vice president of APC who supervised the dam's construction between 1937 and 1939, the lake reaches an average depth of 50 feet with a maximum depth of 80 feet, creating over 40 miles of irregular shoreline dotted with high shale cliffs that rise dramatically from the water's edge. This premier Virginia fishery supports exceptional populations of Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass with a 14-inch minimum size limit, and Spotted Bass with the Virginia state record 4-pound 12-ounce fish caught here on January 1, 2020, plus Alabama Bass, Striped Bass recovering from improved habitat conditions after a 2016 low-oxygen event, Hybrid Striped Bass with the Virginia state record 15-pound 13-ounce fish caught on March 16, 2016, Channel Catfish reaching 15 pounds, trophy Flathead Catfish with the lake record at 58 pounds 8 ounces, Muskellunge, Walleye, Bluegill, and abundant baitfish populations of Alewife and Gizzard Shad supporting the fishery. With the 75-megawatt Claytor Hydro facility as Appalachian Power's largest of 12 hydroelectric plants, the lake is managed through a partnership with Virginia State Parks and the Friends of Claytor Lake non-profit organization that removes an average of 6,000 tons of debris annually while supporting boater safety, water quality monitoring, and hydrilla control programs to maintain this treasured recreational resource
Located adjacent to the town of Dublin at Exit 101 off Interstate 81 in Virginia's scenic New River Valley, Claytor Lake sits just one hour from Roanoke, 90 minutes from Blacksburg and Virginia Tech, and within a five-hour drive of Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Virginia Beach. The 472-acre Claytor Lake State Park was established in 1946 when private citizens and businesses from Pulaski, Radford, and Blacksburg raised money to purchase land from Appalachian Power Company and donated it to the state, creating one of Virginia's premier waterfront destinations with 15 cabins, 3 lodges, 4 yurts, camping facilities including 133 electric campsites, nearly 7 miles of hiking and biking trails through mature oak-hickory-poplar forest, a guarded swimming beach with diving tower open Memorial Day through Labor Day, a full-service marina with boat rentals and fuel, the historic Howe House with interactive ecology exhibits, and The Water's Edge Meeting Facility perfect for weddings overlooking the lake. The New River Trail State Park, a 57-mile rail trail built on an abandoned Norfolk Southern Railway right-of-way, follows the lake's shoreline and crosses it on the historic 951-foot-long Hiwassee Bridge built in 1931, providing exceptional opportunities for biking, hiking, and horseback riding with stunning water views. Nearby Radford, Virginia's only city located directly on the New River, offers the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech (named one of America's best new public courses), the Glencoe Museum showcasing Civil War General Gabriel Colvin Wharton's Victorian home, Ingles Farm telling the story of Mary Draper Ingles' 1755 capture and heroic 800-mile escape from Shawnee warriors, Bisset Park's 100 acres along the river, and vibrant downtown dining and shopping. The surrounding New River Valley features access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Jefferson National Forest, the Appalachian Trail, Virginia Tech's campus, Floyd's historic downtown with live music on Friday nights, and numerous wineries, craft breweries, and cultural attractions throughout this scenic mountain region where outdoor recreation and Appalachian heritage converge
This magnificent handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of Claytor Lake would create a stunning centerpiece in your New River Valley lake home, cabin, or office, celebrating your connection to this historic reservoir created by damming one of the world's oldest rivers in 1939. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer that beautifully showcases the lake's impressive 21-mile length stretching along the ancient New River corridor with over 40 miles of intricate shoreline including dramatic shale cliffs, numerous coves like Peak Creek and Clapboard Hollow, and the three miles of shoreline protected by Claytor Lake State Park. The water depths are represented through a captivating gradient flowing from light blue in the shallower upper lake areas to rich deep blue at the 80-foot maximum depth near the Claytor Dam, while every cove, the historic Hiwassee Bridge on the New River Trail, marina locations, state park facilities, underwater structure enhanced by submerged Christmas trees and 400 tons of concrete from Camp Powhatan, and depth contours are precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction. This stunning three-dimensional masterpiece beautifully captures the dramatic character, world-class bass and striped bass fishing heritage, and exceptional hydroelectric history of this beloved Virginia reservoir that transformed the New River into one of the Commonwealth's premier recreational destinations attracting visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic region since 1940
Dimensions:
Small: 8"x12"
Medium: 12"x18"
Large: 16"x24"
Extra Large: 20"x30"
XX Large: 24"x36"
Gigantic 30"x45"
HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers
HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers
HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers
The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail.
Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.
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About our Maps
Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.
- Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
- True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
- More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
- Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
- Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames
These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.
Horn Dog Maps vs Others
True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes
Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7
Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these actually 3D or just engraved?
These are true 3D layered maps.
- Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
- Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
- HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers
Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.
Where are these made?
Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.
- Design
- Cutting
- Painting
- Assembly
- Frame building
The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.
Do you use real depth data?
Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.
I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.
Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?
Most marketplace sellers:
- Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
- Have no connection to the lakes
- Cannot verify accuracy
- Have long delays if a file is not available
This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.
Because I design everything myself:
- I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
- You get a more accurate map, faster
What is your lead time?
Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.
Tell me about the Cribbage Boards
These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.
- Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
- The lake is engraved as if drained
- Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent
You can see:
- Channels
- Humps
- Points
- Structure
Additional features:
- 2 or 3 track options
- Choice of peg colors
- Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
- Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table
It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.