Heavy Rains Cause Lake Norman To Rise, Debris Hazards: Sheriff

MOORESVILLE, NC — Heavy rain in Iredell County has led to potential boating hazards of floating trees and other debris on Lake Norman, according to Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell.

“The frequent heavy rains we’ve received lately have caused the Catawba River Basin to rise rapidly which is the primary inflow source of the Lookout Reservoir as well as Lake Norman,” Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said Jan. 3.

Lake Lookout’s water level recently reached 103.5 feet, Campbell said, adding that more than 3 feet of overflow goes over the dam spillway and into Lake Norman, bringing with it large debris.

“Areas on the northern end of Lake Norman, especially north of the North Carolina Highway 150 Bridge, have large debris such as large parts of trees floating in them which could make travel on the water hazardous,” Campbell said. “With more rain in the upcoming forecast, the conditions are unlikely to improve in the near future.

“Please use extreme caution if you must travel on either Lake Norman or Lake Lookout,” he said.

Rain is expected to continue until Saturday, which will be partly sunny. Saturday evening into Sunday should be clear, according to forecasters.

Here is the National Weather Service’s forecast for the weekend:
Today (Jan. 4)
Showers. High near 58. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 43. South wind 9 to 14 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday (Jan. 5)
Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Saturday Night
Clear, with a low around 40. West wind 3 to 8 mph.
Sunday (Jan. 6)
Sunny, with a high near 64. Light west northwest wind.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Monday (Jan. 7)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

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Photo via Iredell County Sheriff's Office