Town of Lake Lure Helene Recovery Update

Lake Lure -- Town of Lake Lure: Press Release: MAJOR STEP FORWARD: Today begins a new chapter in the Town of Lake Lure, NC’s recovery process. We reported previously that FEMA approved the mission assignment for subsurface debris removal in Lake Lure.  

We can now report that the US Army Corps of Engineers’ contract for subsurface debris and sedimentation removal is in place and this work officially begins TODAY! 

The Town is forever grateful for this tremendous opportunity to restore the health of Lake Lure! We cannot overstate the importance of this phase of work which will allow future generations to enjoy Lake Lure. 

The work that has been completed to date has been focused on surface level debris all around the 720 acre Lake. Now the focus of the work will be focusing what is underneath the Lake. You may view the Hydrographic Survey (sonar map) of Lake Lure at https://www.townoflakelure.com/.../usace-hydrographic-survey
The current Lake Level is about 985 Mean Sea Level (MSL) as of 3/29/25.  (Full pond is 990.5 MSL.) The Town will continue lowering the Lake a foot a day until we reach 978.00 MSL, or about 12 feet below full pond. 

As of 3/28/25, the USACE, in coordination with AshBritt Environmental and local contractors have removed the following incredible amounts of debris snd silt:

Over 43,207 cubic yards (CY) of debris removed from the right of way (+1,864 CY).
Over 31,832 tons of sediment and silt removed from Town (+ 27 tons)
Over 31,146 CY of debris removed from the Lake. (+2,079 CY).

The Town of Lake Lure is also extremely thankful for the ongoing partnership of Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure. Their support of the debris removal process has been instrumental in helping us achieve the progress to date. 

: photos are by USACE. 
For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com.