The rain broke enough Monday to let the sun shine through on Lake Davidson. Jack McCall took the photo from his home at Spinnaker Point. (Jack McCall photo)

Updated 6:27pm
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

After several days of heavy rain, water levels around Lake Norman are above normal, prompting warnings this week from officials who manage safety on the lake. Duke Energy said it is boosting flows at its dams in the Catawba River basin, and urging lakeside residents to beware of flooding in low-lying areas.

The National Weather Service reported Tuesday morning that some residents along the river were being evacuated, especially in the area between Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake.  Fire officials said Tuesday night that about 40 homes in the Riverside community in northwest Charlotte were evacuated.

Meanwhile, the Lake Norman Marine Commission is asking boaters to avoid big wakes near shore. Read the full story

A delivery truck delivered about 300 grass carp into Lake Norman last Tuesday, April 24. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

MOORESVILLE – Officials from Duke Energy, the the Lake Norman Marine Commission and the state of North Carolina gathered at the Davidson College Lake Campus in Mooresville one morning last week for a fish release. Not game fish, but “grass carp,” which the state has been using for more than a decade to control the growth of invasive hydrilla on Lake Norman.

Ron Shoultz is executive director of the marine commission, and a 15-year resident and boater. We asked him a few questions as we awaited the arrival of a tractor-trailer from Arkansas, carrying tanks of the large grey fish.

Listen to an audio version of this interview below. Read the full story

John Marino, a Lake Norman Marine Commission representative from Catawba County, outlines new boat-rental safety measures Monday night in Mooresville. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

MOORESVILLE – People who rent boats on Lake Norman won’t face any new mandatory education requirements, but rental companies have agreed to adopt a series of voluntary “best practices” for boater education, which they say will improve safety on the lake. The Lake Norman Marine Commission announced Monday that the best practices will include boat-safety videos and improved explanations of emergency equipment and lake rules. Read the full story

The Lake Norman Marine Commission holds its monthly meeting Monday, March 11, in Mooresville. The agenda includes monthly reports on lake patrols, water quality and other lake issues, as well as committee reports.

The meeting begins at 7pm at the Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. Info: http://www.lnmc.org/

The Lake Norman Marine Commission holds its monthly meeting Monday night in Mooresville with reports on enforcement, water quality and environment, boater education, and other topics.

The meeting begins at 7pm at the Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 N. Main St., Mooresville. It’s open to the public. Read the full story

Riley and Reagan Pfyffer stood by the lake near their Mooresville home Sunday, where the lake was up on the lawn. (Joel Pfyffer photo)

Recent rains have raised the water level in Lake Norman close to “full pond,” and the Lake Norman Marine Commission is warning boaters to avoid big wakes.

Some residents around the lake have noticed the high water levels in recent days. “The water is literally on my lawn by a good 6 or 7 feet,” said Joel Pfyffer, who lives on the lake in Mooresville. Read the full story

Authorities that regulate activities on Lake Norman are considering a new set of rules governing water skiing slalom courses. The Mooresville Tribune reports that permits would be issued by Duke Energy, with approval from the Lake Norman Marine Commission. (LINK: Oct. 9, 2012, Mooresville Tribune, “Lake board looks to regulate ski courses.”

The Lake Norman Marine Commission holds its monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 13, in Mooresville. The agenda includes no-wake buoy requests and reports on lake issues, law enforcement, water quality, boater education and other topics. Read the full story