The Bell’s Church PFA and fishing pier on Farrington Road in Chatham County were flooded Aug. 11 from the lake to the second parking area. PHOTO BY SUSAN KELLY
What a difference three weeks makes.
August rains fueled by Tropical Storm Debby raised the Jordan Lake level to a high of 229.84 Aug. 14, nearly 14 feet above normal. The state recreation area was shut down Aug. 10 due to flooding. Everything was closed.
In subsequent days, the Army Corps of Engineers opened the gates at the dam in Moncure, adjusting height and number daily, and began letting water out, dropping the lake level about a foot a day. This continued until the level was 216.65 Aug. 30.
As the level dropped, state park workers cleaned up flooding debris allowing the park to fully open for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Jordan got 2.14 inches of rain Sep. 1 and the lake level began inching up to 217.29 Sep. 4 before starting to decline.
Fishers, individuals and families, were back three weeks later at Bell’s Church Sep. 1. It’s the lake’s only handicap-accessible pier and has fish attractor lights for night fishing, maintained by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. PHOTO BY SUSAN KELLY
Labor Day Weekend
The holiday weekend was manageable, according to park officials.
Roughly 70-75 percent of the 1,100 campsites were in use. Day use areas were very manageable, they said, no traffic control was needed Saturday or Sunday, due to moderate usage before the rain arrived. Labor Day went smoothly. No major incidents were reported for the weekend.
Remember, entrance fees at day use areas are charged weekends-only in September.