Oxford Dam at the end of Lake Hickory, in Catawba County. (via Huntersville Fire Department)

Heavy spring rains raised water levels all along the Catawba River basin this week, leading to flooding in some low-lying areas of the river and area lakes. Residents along Lake Norman reported flooding, and some residents in northwest Charlotte’s Riverside neighborhood were evacuated amid rising waters. Read on for a photo gallery. Read the full story

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

MOORESVILLE - A goal in the first overtime gave Lake Norman a 2-1 victory over Hough Monday night in a game that decided the I-Meck 4A girls’ soccer championship. Barry Pulver reports. Story & photos in SPORTS»

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

Firefighters investigated a number of smoke scares this week, including one on a boat that was determined to be coming from the vessel’s battery compartment. The battery had melted, burning electrical wires and parts of the compartment surrounding it. Also this week, a passing vehicle with a tall profile pulled down telephone and cable lines from a utility pole on Jetton Street. Police officers and town maintenance personnel closed the street until technicians could respond to repair the damage. Details on these and more, along with a tally of the week’s medical calls, may be found below. Read the full story

Rabbi Michael Shields speaks, with co-presidents Slade Goldstein (left) and Len Sadek behind him. (Gayle Shomer/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Charlotte area’s Jewish community celebrated a milestone Sunday when about 300 people gathered to dedicate the former Calvary Presbyterian Church on South Street in Davidson as the new Temple Kol Tikvah. It’s the first synagogue between Charlotte and Statesville and gives Lake Norman-area Jews a permanent home. Read the full story

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the Lake Norman area and surrounding counties, in effect until 4am Friday. Read the full story

State health officials say striped bass in Lake Norman have been found with elevated levels of PCBs, a suspected cancer-causing chemical. In an announcement Tuesday night the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services advised against eating the fish, as well as large mouth bass, which may have dangerous levels of mercury. Read more in HEALTH & FITNESS»