2024 Lake Drawdown Schedule
The Town of Lake Lure, NC began raising the Lake on 3/31/24. The rate of refilling the Lake is based on the weather and the amount of rainfall received. The lake is at 982.16 as of 4/2/24. Full-pond is 990.5 so the lake is currently down 8.34 feet, up from 12 feet below full-pond during the drawdown.
Thank you for your support of the lake drawdown for important infrastructure projects.
For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com.
February 2024 Update
The lake must be at 12 ft. down for Ruby-Collins to complete their work on the sewer system replacement project, which is typically doable during adverse weather events with the assistance of the hydro-electric plant and flood gates. However, when operating the hydroelectric plant and flood gates, Morgan Corporation, (who is completing the reservoir drain installation at the dam) is unable to function due to the wet conditions that are created.
The drain valve installation is the current priority for the Town of Lake Lure because it is necessary for the completion of the sewer replacement project in future lake drawdowns. It is also a safety requirement by the NC Dam Safety Office.
Town Council determined that it would be most beneficial to halt Ruby-Collins’s work for the remainder of this drawdown in 2024. This will allow Morgan Corporation to continue operations during rain events because the Town will use 12 ft. drawdown as a protective buffer without the need to use the hydro-electric or flood gates.
The plan is to begin raising the Lake on March 31st, 2024. The timing for refilling the Lake back to full pond depends on the weather and the amount of rainfall received.
Thank you for your support of the lake drawdown for these critical projects. For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com.
July 2023 Updates
On 7/26/23, Town Council approved a revised drawdown schedule based on the needs of the contractors. The plan for the next Lake Drawdown is 1/1/24 - 3/31/24.
The Lake will be drawn down by 12 feet. The purpose of the Lake drawdown is to allow for the completion of priority infrastructure projects including the construction of the reservoir drain at the dam, the sewer system replacement project including the Gravity Lift System (GLS) in the North end of Sunset Cove, dredging, seawall and boathouse construction/maintenance, dam and hydroelectric plant maintenance, and sewer cleaning and maintenance.
While the Lake will begin rising on March 31st, 2024, the rate of refilling the Lake is based on the weather and the amount of rainfall received.
Thank you for your support of the lake drawdown for these critical projects. For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com.
January 2023 Lake Drawdown Summary
Lake Lure was drawdown down 1/1/23 for infrastruture work and began refilling on 3/31/23. The Lake was back within normal limits by 4/30/23!
The following is a brief overview of the projects that took place during the Lake drawdown:
1. Beginning of Phase One of the sewer system replacement project. This included the installation of boring pipe sleeves on properties in the Sunset Cove area. The boring sleeves are the casing for the future sewer pipes that will be installed. The contractor completed 10 boring sleeves on the north end of the cove during this drawdown. Many lessons were learned and the engineering teams will be meeting to assess the work that was accomplished and make plans for next steps.
2. Lake dredging with excavators: Excavation dredging took place in the river next to Morse Park. This went very well but must stop in preparation for refilling the lake. The disturbed land will be repaired and re-seeded. The gravel road will be scraped and regraveled, as needed. Once the lake returns to full pond, hydraulic dredging is expected to continue.
3. Penstock inspection and warranty repairs: The Penstock inspection and repairs have been completed. Everything was satisfactory and the Penstock is operational.
4. Work on deep water access ramp near the dam: The Town received a signed contract to allow work to proceed. Next steps include a site meeting with the Engineers to make changes to site conditions.
5. Reservoir Drain Construction Project (Dam Valves): This project has been awarded. We are awaiting the delivery of the valves and anticipate starting this work in the spring 2024.
6. Horizontal Direction Drilling for Sanitary Sewer System: This project has been posted twice for bids. Updates will be provided when additional information becomes available.
Thank you for your support during these necessary Lake drawdowns!
