Catawba Lake Levels - Warning

[casey344]

Be careful out there this weekend, Catawba lake levels are 2' lower than Duke Energy's target elevation for this time of year.

The only lake holding any normal water today is Fishing Creek.

 

[islandhopper00]

Casey, I put my boat in at South Point Ramp Sunday. It's the only ramp with enough water to launch I've found. You have to be very careful though, because there is barley enough water to float the boat off the trailer. In fact if the outdrive is down at all it will drag the bottom. The Buster Boyd or upper sand bar has 6 inches of water on it. Looks funny to see people seemlingly walking on water. The Seven Oaks island is well, HUGH! There is little water between the shore and the island. Little Allison sand bar is uncovered and looks like an island. Man we need some rain. There are shallow spots all over the lake and close attention is in order as you run the lake. Oh well, at least we can get on the lake. I read that some in texas have to much water and cannot get out. Take care and watch that skinny water.

 

[First Born]

After seeing Dave's pictures we have decided no going on Lake Wylie anytime soon. We will be heading up to High Rock for the next couple of weekends or for the rest of the season. :huh:

Wesley

 

[SeaRide]

Guys,

What are the average and max depths of Wylie? For example, in some spots Lake Murray is well over 150' and it's not uncommon to boat in depths on average of 50'-70'.

 

[casey344]

Lake Level

Thanks for the update Mike. I usually launch from Niven's Creek. I have appointments setup for Wednesday and hope to use my boat, have you heard anything about the Nivens Creek access? I'm afraid of backing my truck/trailer too far into the lake and off the cement.

The lake seemed quiet on Saturday. We spent the better part of last week adding chain to boat lifts so our customers could reach the lake.

Unless we get a significant amount of rain it's going to take awhile to recover from this.

Wes ... any room for us in High Rock?

 

[First Born]

Just let me know when :thumbsup:

 

[Dave S]

Casey..........Launch at Buster Boyd...........it's the only "for sure" spot out there with long enough ramps. Just get there early because everyone else will be launching there too.

Charlie..........the deep parts of Wylie are only 50-60 feet. Like I said it's a relatively shallow lake.

Anyone wanting updates on lake levels along the Catawba go here. http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels/all.asp?all

This is my earlier posts on low water levels http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4624&highlight=

 

[casey344]

Dock on Sand

Dave ... sorry for the duplicate thread, I hadn't seen your original thread when I started this one.

Some info on your marina low water levels ... I may not be relaying this exactly as is was told to me but I'll do my best. The area where the boat slips are was dug by machine back in the late 40's early 50's when it was called Pier 49. They installed a dike to hold the water back while it was being dug. Sand washed up against both sides of this dike during the dig, when they finished they pulled the dike out. The high spot your hitting is most likely from this original dike.

The second dock below was beside the one I was working on Saturday, it's in Little Allison.

The first dock is at the back of the South Fork.

 

[Dave S]

Casey.............things get really bad on the lake when water levels drop. Your pictures are further proof of that. I sure hope the levels don't drop any further.

Dave