CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Catawba Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group released a statement Tuesday saying the drought situation in the Charlotte area hasn’t improved.
“Despite the much needed and beneficial rainfall the past month, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin remains in Stage 1 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP),” said a press release from the group which monitors the drought situation and response in the Charlotte area.
The dry weather and lake of rain is creating extremely low water levels at local lakes.
Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins took an Eyewitness News crew on a tour of Lake Wylie to show some of the dangers created by the drought.
"Things that have been submerged for years, all of a sudden we have low water and they're all exposed,” he said.
Our camera captured tree stumps and rocks exposed. Perkins said they could pose a risk to people boating too fast, or at night when it’s harder to see.
In a lake neighborhood, a sewage pipe, once under water, was exposed for everyone to see and possibly smell.
"You have the potential for sewage discharge to come out onto land; to come out undiluted,” said Perkins.
To keep people safe on the lake, Duke Energy and other groups closed boat ramps weeks ago.
"We're always mindful of the safety of our visitors,” said Lisa Parrish, a spokeswoman for Duke Energy.
At Lake Wylie, Duke Energy closed two of the four ramps at Buster Boyd and all four at Allison Creek. They said the Copperhead access area was closed by Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation back in July.
Eyewitness News checked and learned the swimming area at Ebenezer access area was also closed by York County due to low water.
At Lake Norman ramps at Blythe Landing and Ramsey Creek park were also closed by Mecklenburg County. Officials said you should check conditions ahead of time, before heading to the lake this weekend.
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