WATEREE

I heard a really bad rumor yesterday. I heard they were going to drain wateree this fall on account of doing some dam repairs. Can anyone confirm this or is it all rumor. If this is the case then there goes my fall fishing. My opinion that is the best lake in the state November and December

I researched it and couldn't find anything pertaining to the lowering of Wateree. Duke power is planning on draining some ash ponds near lake Norman to repair some pipes.

Lots of good info on all Duke power lakes can be found on the Catawba River Keepers news page

Okay, I will keep an eye on that site. Thanks a lot Tim

I hope not! I was planning to fish it this fall and winter.

Brush Pile I'm checking on it for you. I got a friend that lives in Lugoff and he's going to ask his stepfather. He fishes that lake a lot.

I spoke with Duke Energy and they have no plans to pull the lake down other the normal 2 ft. winter drawdown ,and this may not happen due to drought we are having.So this is just a rumor.1-800-443-5193 is number of dam control for the entire Catawba chain.

Glad to hear that was just a rumor! I'm itching to go over there in November.

From what I have read, It will be a few years before the dam work begins to install a bladder dam atop the existing dam. I have heard that the drawdown for this work will be 8-15 feet. The installation of the bladder is to allow the bladder portion to be lowered during high water events since the old dam has no flood gates. This is something to try to minimize flooding of property surrounding the shoreline. Long term it is a good thing, but during the 12-18 month drawdown it will make fishing and living on the lake a pain. But, hey the fish will be more concentrated if any of the ramps allow you to get a boat in there. It will be a good time for dock repairs.

The bladder install is in the future like 25-30 years,from a very good source,aka Duke Energy.