Due to the dry summer we’ve experienced here in the Lake Norman area, the lake level has been falling. Not to dangerously low levels, but noticeably. However, due to the three consecutive days of heavy rainfall sent us by Tropical Storm Fay, I see that the lake is pretty much full again. That’s good news for people living on the lake trying to sell their homes, because it improves the chances that some smaller coves will continue to have navigable water late in the year.
According to Duke Power’s website reporting on water levels in the Catawba River System, Lake Norman is above their target for water level, but not at full pond. Full pond, indicated by an index of 100, equals 760 ft above sea level. Currently, the lake is at 98.2, with 98 being the target Duke has set. I also noticed that downstream in Lake Wateree, Duke is cautioning people living along the shoreline to watch for some flooding possibilities. That means that Duke is pumping water out upstream to maintain target levels.
With a couple more weather systems being watched in the Caribbean, we could see more rain, and that could really help the drought conditions. I’m just not sure now that Duke, and the commissioners in Mecklenburg county, aren’t so gun-shy about lifting the drought restrictions that no amount of water will make them comfortable. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Filed under: Lake Living
