Dear Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydro Project Stakeholders:
During October and November 2023, Duke Energy Progress, LLC (Duke Energy) plans to lower Lake Tillery from 6 to 8 feet below full pond level (Normal Full Pond = 100.0 ft) to comply with requirements in the Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project license, issued in 2015, that a drawdown occurs every 5 years. This was last completed in 2018. The drawdown will be targeted for three to four weeks. The duration of the drawdown and the time required to refill the lake will depend on weather conditions and river inflows. Please note if there are extreme drought conditions during the scheduled drawdown period (i.e., Low Inflow Protocol in effect), Duke Energy will evaluate and may cancel and reschedule the drawdown event. Please note that minimum flow requirements at the Tillery and Blewett Falls developments will be maintained during the drawdown event per license compliance terms and conditions.
Property owners will be encouraged to use this scheduled time to perform maintenance and/or make modifications to docks and piers. Lake neighbors planning to make modifications are required to complete the Lake Permit Application. Lake neighbors can contact LakeServices@Duke-Energy.com, or 800.443.5193 for an application or visit the Duke Energy Lake Services website to submit an application online beginning in early 2023. See Permits for Shoreline Activities – Duke Energy (duke-energy.com)
Additionally, Duke Energy, in cooperation with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, will be inspecting public boat ramps to determine if any maintenance repairs are necessary. Duke Energy will notify the recreating public of any access area closures due to the drawdown event and repair activities. During the upcoming months, Duke Energy will be communicating the lake drawdown to stakeholders through: 1) Lake Tillery Neighbors website, 2) e-mail notifications to lake neighbors, relicensing stakeholders, and local officials, 3) post card mailers to lake residents, 4) press releases to local media outlets, and 5) posted signage at public boating access area kiosks.
Duke Energy is interested if there are any major activities (i.e., major bass tournaments, public events) that may coincide during the drawdown period so we can account for those events in scheduling the drawdown. If you know of any events that may be impacted, please let us know so we can include in our drawdown scheduling.
If you have any comments regarding the drawdown event, please provide those comments to me by February 23, 2023. Duke Energy will schedule the lake drawdown dates after the comment period and will communicate those dates to you, lake neighbors, local officials, recreating public, and local communities at a future date.
Sincerely,
John Crutchfield
Project Manager II, Water Strategy & Hydro Licensing
Regulated & Renewable Energy
Duke Energy
