Preparation keeps muddy waters away on Lake Wylie

Sediment pollution has been a concern of the Lake Wylie Covekeepers for years, especially when reports come flowing in after rainstorms.

Typically, rain plus construction equals runoff. But that wasn’t the case as the area experienced what Gov. Nikki Haley has called “an unprecedented, 1,000-year rainfall” in South Carolina.

“We actually received almost no reports,” said Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins. “I’m hoping that meant developers prepared with the well-forecast rains.”

The Covekeepers, an environmental group with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, met with lake area developers before the rain, including those along Crowders Creek. The work on the Clover School District aquatic center, for example, was a concern because it is near a main cove on Crowders Creek.

“We made sure everything was tidy, knowing this rain was coming,” Lakekeeper Dan Mullane said. “It sounds like it's as much under control as it can be.”

According to weather.com, Lake Wylie saw more than 2 inches of rain that weekend for the second weekend in a row.

“Surprisingly, even my emails have been pretty slow,” Mullane said.

Rainfall, or lack of it, has been a concern this summer. The severe drought closed all but one boat access area on the lake and caused the cancellation of Riversweep due to access and safety issues. Then the heavy rains came on the day Riversweep would have been held Oct. 3, moving the Lake Wylie Children’s Charity fall concert inside the following day.

Now, many Lake Wylie and York County residents are looking to help others hit by the storms. Groups are collecting money or supplies for flood victims throughout the state. A donation left Oct. 9 after several churches and community members collected supplies at River Hills Community Church.

“We were so fortunate to be spared by the violent weather this last weekend,” a church notice states. “Let’s get together and help communities in the Columbia area that have been devastated by the flood.”

Other groups collecting donations include Oakridge Middle School students and Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce.

An ongoing list of ways to help is online at lakewyliepilot.com.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Preparation keeps muddy waters away on Lake Wylie."