Lake Santeetlah – After a large amount of silt entered Lake Santeetlah last week, Brookfield Renewable said that it was due to heavy rainfall.
Concerns were raised by the town’s residents, but Brookfield spokesman Brian Noonan said the issue was caused by the area receiving a large amount of rain in a 24-hour period. The Toronto-based firm operates the Santeetlah Dam – as well as the Cheoah Dam – and several other hydroelectric facilities across the region and around the world.
“We received heavy rainfall of over two inches during a period spanning less than 24 hours,” Noonan said. “Due to the current ground conditions, this was likely not (as) absorbed as it may be during other timeframes throughout the year, resulting in runoff from the tributaries into the lake, carrying mud from the creek beds, etc. in the process.”
The area in question was near the Buffalo community at the first bridge over Lake Santeetlah on U.S. 129, going out into the lake for approximately 1,000 feet.
Lake Santeetlah is usually considered to be the clearest, least-polluted lake in North Carolina. It was recently named the “Most Beautiful Lake in the U.S.” by Insider Travel.