The Lake Norman Marine Commission, Duke Energy and the Cornelius Police Department’s lake patrol issued warnings Tuesday about unusually high water on the lake after this past weekend’s heavy rains. The warnings urge boaters and lake front residents to watch out for floating debris and boat wakes.
CORNELIUS LAKE PATROL
@CorneliusPD Lake Patrol advises boaters that heavy rains have caused lake levels to rise. Be cautious of floating debris! #StaysafeonLKN
— Cornelius PD (@CorneliusPD) April 21, 2015
MARINE COMMISSION ALERT
Ron Shoultz, executive director of the Lake Norman Marine Commission, issued this alert:
Due to the significant rainfall we have received over the past few days, Lake Norman is nearly at full pond, or in the case of some of the other lakes in the Catawba/Wateree river basin, above full pond. The elevated lake levels have significantly increased the amount of debris in all of the lakes in the Catawba/Wateree river basin.
A notice from Duke Energy is as follows:
Following the recent rainfall, the region experienced significant runoff causing some lakes upstream and downstream of Lake Norman to spill or have gates partially opened. The large amounts of water moving down the Catawba River and resulting high lake levels can create lake debris, including naturally occurring logs and branches as well as loose structures and watercraft.
• This debris can present a serious danger to boaters. Similar to icy roads in winter, debris-filled lakes should be avoided.
• Natural debris will dissipate on its own over the next few weeks. Some will float down river, some will become saturated and sink, and some will come to rest on the shoreline.
• Secured natural debris, such as branches that come to rest on the shoreline, does not present a navigation hazard and can create beneficial natural wildlife habitat.
• Duke Energy is focused on ensuring lake safety, and will secure and remove large floating hazards to navigation, such as loose docks, piers, or watercraft.
The Lake Norman Marine Commission (LNMC) advises that due to the greater than normal amount of debris in the water, boaters should use extreme caution during daylight hours, and highly discourages dusk to dawn boating which is currently extremely dangerous.
The LNMC also reminds all boaters, that they are responsible for the wake created by their vessel and the damage that the wake may cause. Boaters should take extra precaution with regard to boat wakes during this period of high water. Especially during periods of high water, boat wakes can cause significant damage to docks, piers, seawalls and moored water craft.
It is the responsibility of all boaters to observe safe boating practices which include being aware of the lake conditions and how those conditions will mandate the operation of water vessels. Please keep these high water conditions in mind while operating any vessel on Lake Norman and the other lakes in the Catawba/Wateree basin.
