CORP (USACE) QUESTIONED ON KERR LAKE SUMMER LAKE LEVEL
Kerr Lake Park Watch has recently received serval inquiries about the water levels of Kerr Lake this summer and spring. We have taken the most articulate and are posting for your information. A message has been forwarded to the Kerr Lake office of the US Army Corps of Engineers with the offer of a response, comments and clarifications. The following comments come from Kerr Lake user Jim Arnold.
“My (Jim Arnold) research on the Corps site finds that the lake level dropped below the guide curve on April 8 and other than a short 3 week period, has continued to drop until well below the drought alert level by July 20 until now. What drought caused this?
The inflow for July, August and September was equal to or more than the same period last year. Why have a curve that is purported to support all uses for the lake and then let it plunge well below it? The period that we are talking about here is the supposed recreational period when the curve was meant to maintain a usable level, yet since April it has been drawn down to their own drought alert level.
The millions of dollars of revenue brought in to the six counties and numerous communities surrounding the lake is drastically reduced by this draw-down and in this economy it should be protected and not jeopardized. Even though there are numerous purposes listed as the official purposes for the establishment of the lake in the flood control act of 1944 (including recreation in the original draft and actually listed first) it seems that the greed by the federal government to produce electricity has rocketed to the top of the list at the expense of all others.
Deserted campgrounds (13 of them) and docks on dry land are not conducive to recreation. All they need do is follow their own curve and attempt to maintain the 299.5 for the recreational season and we are all winners. This is not a single purpose project so why treat it like one?”
Kerr Lake Park Watch always welcomes questions and comments regarding the parks and public facilities that surround the lake and the lake itself. Make your comments directly here or send your information to info@kerrlakeparkwatch.org.
I agree with Jim’s comments. Living in Raleigh, I cross over Falls Lake and see that for the past year it has been full.
At least keep Kerr Lake at the curve level through the recreational season and then drawn it down which in turn will assist with the hydrilla problem.