Please take a moment and remember that the Restore Woodlake Committee (RWL) is a sanctioned subcommittee of your Property Owners’ Association (POA).  There continues to be confusion by many in the community - do not accept what you may have been told or read on a blog site.  Our primary mission is to work every possible avenue to restore our lake & dam, and to see our property values return.  We coordinate daily with your POA.  No monies have ever been used by the RWL from residents’ assessments paid to the POA; all the RWL funds expended have come from donations.  The RWL is not affiliated, nor teamed, with any commercial enterprise, including WLCC Corp, WLCC Real Estate Corp, or Woodlake CC LLC.

Review the RWL Charter under https://www.restorewoodlake.com/committee/committee-charter/

Quick RWL Committee Update

As we continue to find a way to rebuild the dam and refill the lake, we’re working to do the things we can currently control – for example, a couple of important things we are currently doing:

1. Working to get the USACE dam rebuild permit extended past March of 2022.  We think that’s doable.

2. Addressing the issue of plants & trees growing on the lakebed.

Left unchecked, their growth will present a number of problems:

A. It will make the prep of the lakebed to impound water significantly more difficult and expensive; and,

B. If the flora gets mature enough, it could be recategorized as a “forest” – that means no water impoundment; and thus, no lake.

So, we are looking into how to do that safely and effectively:

After considerable research, we believe a combination of clear-cutting and spot-application of controlled burns is the way to go.  Controlled burning this lakebed would be a long process, since it follows the clear-cut activity, and “burn windows” are infrequent due to smoke and wind considerations, and, obviously, the flora has to be relatively dry.

In pursuit of our research, we met with Jesse Wimberley: Head of the Sandhills Controlled Burn Association.  He agrees with our clear-cut and burn approach.

The community approval process for the clear-cut and burn approach will include the RWLC; then, the POA Board; then, a townhall meeting to get owner-resident feedback – if approved, a funding effort would begin.

Then to meet legal requirements for controlled burning at WL we’d get a County permit, a licensed and insured “burn” contractor, and authorization by the Chairman of the WLCCC Board of Directors – Mr. Allison.

Let me emphasize, NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE – I just described a process, not a decision!

How can you help?  If you are able, when the lake dries, cut the pines near your docks and shorelines.

Cutting the small pines and large bushes is essential.  The most effective approach is to cut them as close to the base as possible.

A follow-on meeting will occur with Walter Thomas (forester and resident) to discuss a clearing and a burn plan, as well as potential costs for crews to clear-cut areas.  The plan will also sequence the work.

Let me emphasize one more time, NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE – I just described a process, not a decision!

Prepping the existing lakebed - suitable for water impoundment, a.k.a., the “lake” bottom

C. Jones – 01/20/2020

Background:

• The authorities for restoring the WL dam and lake are:
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) office in Raleigh – granted a dam rebuild permit to DEQ – expires in March, 2022.  A one-year extension is likely, with additional extensions as progress is made in the dam rebuild process, e.g., an initial design and hydrologic study completion – both accomplished.  The Restore Woodlake Committee (RWLC) is working to get the extensions.
  • The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) office in Raleigh – the dam design approval authority and water impoundment approval authority.  DEQ has verbally agreed to transfer the USACE dam rebuild permit to a WL entity when the dam is ready to be rebuilt.  RWLC continues to keep its DEQ contacts active, e.g., Shane Cook.
• The liabilities of plant/tree/shrub growth on the earthen portion of the dam and the lakebed:
  • On the earthen portion of the dam – the roots of the flora jeopardize the integrity of the dam’s structure by creating voids and pathways for water intrusion and erosion – can lead to a dam failure.  We have cut the flora on the earthen portion of the dam and need to keep it cut – ongoing.
  • On the lakebed – if the flora is left unchecked, its growth will present a number of problems:
    • Make the prep of the lakebed to impound water significantly more difficult and expensive.
    • If the flora gets mature enough, it could be recategorized as a “forest” – that means no water impoundment; and thus, no lake.
• Current lakebed flora control options:
  • Cut the bulk of the flora, mainly trees and large shrubs down via “hand-labor.”
  • Initiate progressive “controlled burns” to eliminate the flora.
  • A combination of the two is what the RWLC is perusing.
    • Challenges – permitting – based in inquiries and research, not a significant problem.
    • Safety – would use a N.C. licensed and insured contractor(s).
      • Would conduct a “proof-of-concept” controlled burn to establish an effective and safe process.
      • Controlled burns will be done progressively – not in one big effort.
      • Smoke control – will be some, but will only burn on no/low wind days.
    • Cost – a significant challenge.  We will seek help from the WL population and possibly some grant $$.
    • This would not be just a “one-time” effort, as some species of trees and plants, will regenerate after a fire – witness Fort Bragg controlled burns.
• The controlled burn approval process:
  • The RWLC; then, the POA Board; then, a townhall meeting to get owner-resident feedback – if approved, a funding effort would begin.
  • Once funding was in place, securing the permitting authorities’ approval would follow.
  • The controlled burn schedule would be published and controlled burns would begin.  Based on weather and other conditions, the controlled burns could be conducted periodically for a year.
• NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE – we just described a process, not a decision!

The Restore Woodlake Committee

Here are four pictures of the earthen dam (before and after shots) illustrating the foilage that was cut and defoiliated.

This group of slides was taken by neighbor Tom Earnhardt on 8 Sep 2019, while flying his drone around the lakebed and pool.  Some close shots illustrate the breach and just how our lakebed looks after almost three years with zero water.

The below slide show of the current state of the lakebed was taken by Cheryl Morgan, Woodlake resident, pilot, photographer, freefall expert (you got to love those folks), and good neighbor.  Cheryl was able to capture these photos on the evening of 30 Aug 2019.  Please note the active stream beds fed by Cranes Creek and Cypress Creek, as well as the vegitation lining the earthen dam.  Thank you Cheryl. 

Woodlake Community Update from Keith Allison: October 2019

Engineering Study Results

A NEW TAB HAS BEEN ADDED ENTITLED "SCHNABEL ENGINEERING STUDY."  PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THE LOWER PART OF THAT PAGE IS AN UPDATE FROM THE RWLC DISCUSSING THE STUDY, OPTIONS, AND OPINIONS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION OF LAKE SURF AND THE DAM.

Lake Townsend (Greensboro) Labyrinth Dam & Spillway Under Construction

State Lawmakers Approve Woodlake Referendum Bill

The Pilot Letter 30 Apr 2019

Please go to the Moore County Government site and check your own home values.

Letter to the Community from Mr. Keith Allison

Latest The Pilot Articles

Press Release from Senator Tom McInnis.  This issue has been worked for over a year with our elected representatives.  Also below is a copy of the proposed bill - Senate Bill 190; and the initial House Bill 281 (Sponsored by Jamie Boles & Allen McNeill)

Woodlake 2018 Incorporation

Incorporation Packet Submitted to the NC Legislature on 18 Oct 2018

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