Lake James getting some "down" time

Lake James-area residents will get used to the sight of mud and silt this winter.   Duke Energy will lower the lake's water level by up to 15 feet starting later this year, according to a press release. The utility company hopes to get some major work done in the coming months, with less impact continuing through next spring and summer.

            Duke Energy advised lake residents and businesses Tuesday to begin making any necessary arrangements for their boats or properties during lower lake levels.

            The notice came as a shock to businesses that rely on the lake to generate income.

            Dayna Shipman, a manager at the Bear Creek Marina, said they were surprised by the news and uncertain about the impact.

            "It got thrown on us," she said. "I'm not sure yet how this will go. It's hard to say."

            Duke officials say the lake will be lowered to 85 feet, 15 feet below full pond, in November. While there's hope the lake will be refilled to 92 feet, 8 feet below full pond, after mid-February, before the main recreation season, Shipman said the business will be impacted even if all goes according to plan.

            "There's always fishing going on," she said. “We were open all year last winter.” 

            Burnette's Marina plans to close for the winter. Manager Gary Nanney said lowering the lake could potentially devastate the business.

             "If they lower the lake 10 feet or more, we ain't going to have a drop of water out there," he stated. "It'll be a creek in front of the landing. It's going to be tough on people."

            The statement from Duke said that the lake-lowering is necessary in order to comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) standards. Duke Energy must strengthen the three dams it operates on Lake James to increase dam stability in the event of a severe seismic event.

            In recent years, Duke Energy has completed work on two of the dams – Paddy Creek Dam and Catawba Dam. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2012 on improvements to the third one – Linville Dam.

            To facilitate the strengthening work on the Linville Dam in 2012, the dam’s existing electricity generating station (Bridgewater Hydro Station) must be permanently removed. A replacement hydro station is being built several hundred yards downriver. At the peak of construction, the new hydro station project will employ a workforce of more than 150 people, coming largely from the local area, according to Duke's release.

            The work includes repairs to the station’s intake structure, and that's what will require Duke to lower the lake level in November and December.

            Both Bear Creek and Burnette's rely on business picking up sharply between mid-March and April. Nanney has been managing Burnette's for 33 years. He said he has little faith the lake will be recovered for peak season next year.

             "It's gonna kill this little place," he stated.

He said the loss of business due to the recession had been quite a burden on the lake industry as it has on all businesses. 

            Duke plans for the lake to be 10 feet below full pond all summer next year. In May 2011, Lake James will be lowered from 92 feet to about 90 feet, 10 feet below full pond, to allow workers to connect the new hydro station to the intake pipe. Since neither old nor new hydro stations will be operating from late May through September 2011, one of the normal outlets that moves water downstream will be temporarily closed during this five-month construction period. Once at 90 feet, the lake will begin to immediately refill based on rainfall.

            Substantially lowering Lake James’ water level – in advance of the hydro station work – will reduce the amount of water that otherwise could spill over the lake’s Paddy Creek and Catawba dam spillways during the temporary closure of the normal Linville Dam outlet.

            Duke Vice President Carol Goolsby said this would provide added protection against potential high water for downriver residents and businesses in the event of lengthy periods of heavy rain during the May to September 2011 construction.

            “We do not take the decision to temporarily lower Lake James lightly, but it is necessary to complete the required dam and hydro station work,” she stated. “We understand this work impacts residents, businesses and others who enjoy recreational activities on the lake, so we wanted to provide them as much advanced notice as possible."

            Lake residents and businesses often repair docks and make shoreline improvements during periods of reduced lake levels. Those interested in doing so can contact Duke Energy Lake Services at (800) 443-5193.

            During the construction project, updates on lake levels will be available at www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp or by calling (800) 829-5253.