The Drought Management Team (DMT) met Thursday, September 20, 2007 to discuss the ongoing effects of the drought and its effects on High Rock and Badin Lake. At time of the meeting High Rock was 4.8 ft. below full, and Badin Lake was 6.1 ft. below full. Alcoa advised the group that water would be discharged from High Rock at 900 cfs during the next week while Badin is held at a constant level. When High Rock reaches 6 ft. below full, then both lakes will be lowered at the same rate to achieve the required 900 cfs downstream flow into Lake Tillery. Alcoa is forecasting High Rock and Badin to be approximately 6.25 – 6.50 ft. below full by the end of September.

The High Rock Lake Association has requested the DMT to be prepared to request a further reduction in flow from Alcoa reservoirs by the end of September if the drought continues. To date Progress Energy (PE) is not using any storage at Tillery and Blewett Falls Reservoirs to supplement downstream flows, and the HRLA believes PE should be prepared to start lowering their two lakes to assist Alcoa if depletion of North Carolina lakes is required in order to provide sufficient downstream flow.