Carlyle Lake Update

Published May 23, 2017

CARLYLE LAKE The Carlyle Lake pool continues to recede after cresting nearly 12 feet above the normal summer pool at 456.58 feet, referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) on May 13, 2017.  As of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 the pool elevation was 454.17 NGVD with a release rate of approximately 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The inflow for Monday, May 22, 2017 was approximately 4,930 day second feet (dsf).   

As the pool levels continue to recede, the Corps of Engineers is working to reopen facilities as quickly as possible.  More than one-hundred campsites at Dam West and Boulder Campgrounds will re-open on a first come first serve basis beginning 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017. The McNair and East Spillway Campgrounds and several day use areas around the lake remain open, and several private campgrounds around the lake are open as well.  Coles Creek Campground and all beaches remain closed at this time.    

 The Eldon Hazlet State Park is now open.  Areas inside the park that are open include the campgrounds, Apache High Water Boat Ramp, Carlyle Sailing Association facilities, Hazlet Cottages, and the Campground Store.

 Boat Ramps open at this time include: Dam West High Water, Dam East High Water, Horseshoe Island, Boulder High Water, and the Tamalco High Water Ramp. Boaters should use extreme caution. Due to the high water level, many breakwaters and other facilities will be overtopped by water and caution should be used when boating near these and other submerged structures. Boaters should become familiar with the location of these structures before launching and must stay clear of inundated recreation areas. Boaters should also watch for floating logs and other debris, which have drifted into the main body of the lake because of the high pool elevation.

 At pool elevations remain above 450.0 feet NGVD, flowage easement lands surrounding the lake are used for flood storage. These lands are private property and are not open to the public for recreation. Please use caution when boating and recreating. The surface areas of Carlyle Lake at the normal summer pool of 445.0 feet NGVD is 24,583 acres. The surface area of Carlyle Lake at 454.00 feet NGVD is 39,597 acres.

Carlyle Lake continues to operate as designed to lessen flooding on the downstream section of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers.  The Corps of Engineers continues to work closely with their partners, the Carlyle Lake Association, Mid-Kaskaskia River Association and the Okaw River Basin Coalition to monitor the situation. For more information, contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484 or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil


Contact
Doug Wasmuth
618-594-2484
or
Kim Hammel
618-594-2484

Release no. 17-047