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 Thursday, May 18, 2017 the pool elevation was 455.41 NGVD with a release rate of approximately 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The inflow for Wednesday, May 17, 2017 was approximately 3,200 day second feet (dsf).
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. The Dam West, Coles Creek, and Boulder Campgrounds remain closed at this time. As the pool levels continue to recede, the Corps of Engineers is working to reopen facilities as quickly as possible. If water levels recede, some campsites may be opened up on a first come first serve basis for Memorial Day weekend.
Eldon Hazlet State Park will open on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 3 p.m. This includes the campgrounds, Apache High Water Boat Ramp, the Carlyle Sailing Association facilities, the 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 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 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 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 455.00 feet NGVD is 35,147 acres.
Carlyle Lake is operating 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