Heavy rain has Lake Wylie at its tipping point. Here’s what we know about flood risk.
On Friday morning Lake Wylie sat at its tipping point, with several more reservoirs on the Catawba River chain already at or past theirs.
Heavy rain throughout the river basin on Thursday led to rising water levels. As of 7:30 a.m. Friday Lake Wylie reached its full pond. More water from there would lead to flooding. Water is up more than two feet from Thursday afternoon.
Duke Energy, the company that manages the Catawba River reservoirs, also shows Lakes Rhodhiss, Hickory, Lookout Shoals, Fishing Creek, Cedar Creek and Wateree at, above or within inches of their full pond levels. Lookout Shoals and Cedar Creek are about four feet above their spill point.
Duke put out a lake notification message urging caution.
It reads:
“The Catawba River Basin is experiencing increased inflows and higher lake levels due to the recent rainfall. Duke Energy is aggressively moving water through the river system and a spillway gate is opened to manage the lake level. Because rainfall amounts can be unpredictable, it is difficult to estimate peak inflows until the rain event has concluded. Please pay close attention to changing weather conditions and take any necessary precautions. Updates will be provided as conditions change. Real-time lake level information is available at duke-energy.com/lakes, by calling 800-829-5253 and via the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app.”
Flooding also has been an issue on roads. The York County Office of Emergency Management, York County Sheriff’s Office and others have announced several road closures since Thursday due to high water.
Law enforcement also warns to be careful around streams and creeks swollen with rain, heading toward larger lakes and rivers.
At about 8 a.m. Friday, Duke issued a new lake notice for Lake Wylie. It notes more rain in coming days could raise lake levels further, reading:
“Duke Energy is aggressively moving water through the river system and a spillway gate is opened to manage the lake level. Additional rainfall forecast over the next 7 days could result in higher lake levels. Updates will be provided as conditions change.”
Lake Wylie resident Ed Lindsey sent several photos Friday morning showing the lake at heightened levels. His heading on the email described what he’s seeing:
“Highest the water has ever been.”
Check back for more.
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 9:39 AM.
