CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of properties could be affected if dams holding two Duke Energy coal ash ponds fail.
Duke released the worst-case scenario maps on Friday.
The inundation maps show homes along Lake Wylie and Lake Norman that could potentially be affected.
The Catawba River Foundation threatened to take Duke Energy to court over releasing the maps so the utility giant decided to make them public.
"I don't believe there is any legitimate reason to have held back that information from the public except to hide something that they did not want revealed, which is the great risk these impose," Catawba riverkeeper Sam Perkins said.
A Duke Energy spokesperson said a complete dam failure is unlikely and these maps are for planning a worst-case scenario.
"Ash basins continue to operate safely and are highly regulated,” Duke Energy said in a statement. “Removing water and permanently closing basins -- work that is already planned or underway -- adds an additional margin of safety."