Important Lake Lure Update from Mayor Carol Pritchett

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide an update on the status of the Lake. We have been reporting in Town Council Meetings and in our Storm Recovery Updates that the work to remove debris from Lake Lure is ongoing. 

• The amount of debris that Hurricane Helene deposited in Lake Lure is unprecedented.
• The Town of Lake Lure is working with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to remove this debris.    
• The USACE currently has a contract with AshBritt Environmental to remove the debris from the surface of the Lake Lure, as well as the roadways. 
• This work is scheduled to be ongoing until April 2025. 
• The next step in this effort is to remove the subsurface lake debris, silt, and sedimentation.
• The USACE recently surveyed Lake Lure and created a 3D map of the subsurface which will aid in the work ahead.
• This information will assist the USACE in developing the next scope of work for subsurface debris, silt, and sedimentation removal.

Town Council and Town leadership are keenly aware of the importance of reopening the Lake as soon as it is safe to do so.  Given the timing of the work that has been completed thus far and the need for ongoing work moving forward, it is extremely unlikely that the Lake will be able to open for the 2025 summer season. For those of you who have been following our storm recovery process closely, this news may not be a surprise to you.  I thought it was important to share this news with you directly. Please note that Town Council and Town leadership will continue to evaluate options for opening the Lake or portions of the Lake and we will continue to keep you informed with any updates as new information becomes available.

While the Lake remains closed, beauty still surrounds us in Lake Lure.  There are a number of attractions and activities available in the area in addition to the Lake. Most hotels, lodges, bed & breakfasts, and restaurants are open for business and offering full amenities at this time.  Our local businesses in the area are very much appreciated as we work towards fully restoring Lake Lure.  

• Dittmer-Watts Nature Trails

• Lake Lure Green Space

• Pool Creek Picnic Park

• Youngs Mountain

• Rumbling Bald Golf Courses

We are diligently working to open other attractions such as Morse Park and other Town trails, and we are encouraging state partners to open Chimney Rock State Park as soon as possible. Please save the date for these upcoming events and visit Lake Lure anytime! 

• 3/8/25: Lake Lure Music Festival - An Evening of Classical Guitar

• 4/25/25: Lake Lure Arbor Day Program

• 5/26/25: Lake Lure Memorial Day Program

• 10/4-5/25: Cycle NC Mountains to Coast event at Rumbling Bald in October

• 10/18-19/25: Lake Lure Fall Arts and Crafts Festival hosted by Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach 

• 11/11/25: Lake Lure Veterans Day Program

For questions, please contact Communications@townoflakelure.com.

Published 2/4/25