Message from the Mayor - Lake Lure Breaks Ground on Reservoir Drain Project

The Town of Lake Lure has purchased a 72” Gate Valve and a 60” Jet Flow Valve that will serve as the reservoir drain.  The 72” Gate Valve is shown below and the 60” Jet Flow Valve is still under construction.   The valves have been specifically made for the Lake Lure Dam and will allow the Town to drain the Lake down, if needed.  This is an emergency preparedness feature in the event the Lake needed to be lowered during a significant storm.  The valves are also a mechanism which will allow the Lake to be lowered in support of the sewer system replacement project which is currently underway. You will begin to see work on the reservoir drain project this fall.

72” Gate Valve by DeZurik

Lake Lure not only provides recreational enjoyment for the 1,300+ Town residents, the Lake provides enjoyment to over 371,000+ visitors that tour annually here in the Hickory Nut Gorge. In addition to the beauty and recreational opportunities the Lake Lure Dam provides; it also helps to preserve our flourishing environment; it provides protection from storms to those living downstream; and helps create green energy by producing hydro-electric power.

The Town of Lake Lure would like to thank the following funding partners who helped bring this project come to fruition including:

• Federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
• State funding from North Carolina Infrastructure Funds
• Local funding from the citizens of Lake Lure who contribute to the Lake Lure Dam Reserve Fund each year.

The Lake Lure Reservoir Drain Project is being overseen by Schnabel Engineering and the valves will be installed by Morgan Corporation. Please stay tuned for updates on this and other important projects in Lake Lure at www.townoflakelure.com.

Thank you to all those who participated in the Town of Lake Lure Round Table Meetings in September.  We appreciate this opportunity to hear from the community; to gather everyone’s input; and to share ideas.   We have some additional gatherings planned and hope you will make plans to join these as well!

Community Fish Forum – New Lake Use Regulations: The Lake Advisory Board has been working to assess the impact of the changes made to the Lake Use Regulations last year.  They reviewed the related data, considered feedback received from the community, and proposed enhanced Lake Use Regulations.  The Lake Lure Marine Commission held a Public Hearing on 9/12/23 to review the revised Lake Use Regulations and they were approved.  Town Council will hold a Community Fish Forum to review the new Lake Use Regulations on October, 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Lake Lure Municipal Hall.  Additionally, we will take this opportunity to share the findings of the recent Lake Lure Fish Study presented by Gary Hasenfus. Please join us!

WHAT: Community Fish Forum – New Lake Use Regulations and Fish Study Findings:

WHEN: Wednesday, October 11, 2023

TIME: 6:00 PM

WHERE: Lake Lure Town Hall, 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746

RSVP: Please RSVP by 10/8/23 to Communications@townoflakelure.com or 828-625-9983 x 103.

We look forward to seeing you all at this important forum.  We value your input and appreciate your support as we continue to work together to preserve Lake Lure for future generations.