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Heavy rain causes mudslide in Steele Creek

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A mudslide caused by Sunday night’s rain left a mess in Steele Creek and residents are concerned the developer isn’t doing enough to prevent erosion.

The silt fences the developer used around the site were supposed to be enough to hold back runoff from that kind of storm.

The grading company found Monday morning what looks like a river of mud flowing past the fence, and across Withers Cove Road, stopping just before the lake that provides drinking water for 100,000 people.

Later, the grading company used a huge truck to vacuum the mud off the side of the road.

A city engineer said the company called to report the problem on their site first thing Monday morning.

They planned to build a retaining wall Monday to block runoff, but the heavy rain forced a change of plans.

Gravel and rocks were put in place Monday to keep the mud from flowing again.

"We all too often see these accidents happen,” Catawba River keeper Sam Perkins said.

It's the first time this company has had a documented problem at this site, but Perkins said this is a recurring problem in the western end of the county.

There are new developments popping up.

"It’s one of the few areas where there is still land left to develop, and that's a critical area because it is so close to Lake Wylie," Perkins said.

He said he gets constant reports of runoff from new developments that is flowing into the lake, which can affect everything from drinking water in the Belmont community and York County to property for people with waterfront property.

"It’s all too often that we go around to active construction sites and see areas of exposed earth that haven't been stabilized in weeks or even months," Perkins said.

He said city ordinances are not tough enough and wants more inspections of work sites and crews constantly working to prevent major runoff problems before they happen.

"There needs to be a more diligent job in actually making sure you are keeping your sediment on your site," Perkins said.

The city engineer insists the grading contractor on this site is one of the best, but the river keeper said the rain Sunday night was predictable, and measures should have already been in place to stop this problem.

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