November 16, 2011
In late September 2001 Alcoa asked your Association for an opinion for a proposed draw-down of the lake for maintenance purposes. A strong majority of our members responding preferred Dec. 15, 2011 thru Feb. 18, 2012 as the time period for a drawdown. The HRLA advised Alcoa of this preference on October 5, 2011.
Today we received word form Alcoa that a decision has been made to postpone the maintenance draw-down, probably until the Fall of 2012. Alcoa was hoping to coordinate the drawdown with the Badin Lake drawdown necessary to install the cap over the PCB sediment in Badin Cove. Due to delays in NCDENR providing final approval Alcoa is being forced to push back the drawdown schedule.
Your Association will stay in close contact with Alcoa on this issue, and advise our membership of any news. Based on our September survey, we will encourage Alcoa to schedule any Fall drawdown as late as possible in the year, to preserve good Fall boating conditions.
Normal guidelines for winter operation on the Lake allow for drawdowns in excess of 5 ft. below full, so be advised you will probably see the normal winter fluctuations and you should plan accordingly.
Thank you for taking time to respond to our survey, and your preferences will be useful for planning in the future.
Larry Jones
President
High Rock Lake Association