🚨 Lake Lure Tainter gates reach critical levels amid historic flooding
Residents below the dam urged to evacuate as flooding threatens residents along the Broad River and many areas of western NC
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Rutherford County Emergency Management issued an urgent alert as Lake Lure’s floodgates, known as the Tainter gates, were opened 26 feet to relieve pressure on the dam, triggering downstream flood warning sirens and severely risking residents in low-lying areas along the Broad River. As water levels rise, officials are urging residents below the dam to be ready to evacuate. Rutherford County is under a state of emergency.
“Downstream flood warning sirens have been activated. Residents below the dam in low-lying, flood-prone areas should stay alert for rising water along the riverbanks. Have a plan to evacuate," the emergency statement said.
The National Weather Service has also sounded alarms, calling this event one of the most significant weather disasters in the region’s modern history, comparing the potential flooding to the area’s historic 1916 floods.
“This will be one of the most significant weather events to happen in the western portions of the area in the modern era. Record flooding is forecasted… We plead with everyone to take every single weather warning very seriously,” the National Weather Service said. Hurricane Helene could bring rainfall of up to 20” in many areas, alongside winds of up to 70 mph, which could cause landslides and widespread power outages across western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, and upstate South Carolina.
Don't understand the reference to the floods of 1916? Check out this resource. The French Broad Hustler reported that eight lives were lost as a result of flooding and landslides in Bat Cave and Chimney Rock, and many more people died in western NC.
Lake Lure Flood Control: Understanding the Role of Tainter Gates
At the heart of Lake Lure’s flood management system are its Tainter gates, essential for regulating water flow from the lake into surrounding rivers and preventing catastrophic floods. Named after engineer Jeremiah Burnham Tainter, these gates help maintain safe water levels, particularly during severe weather events like Hurricane Helene.
Each Tainter gate is a curved, steel structure that rotates to allow water to flow downstream. During periods of heavy rainfall, like those currently forecasted, the gates are opened to release water from the lake into the Broad River, reducing the risk of overflow. However, releasing too much water too quickly can cause flooding downstream, requiring officials to carefully balance lake levels and river conditions.
When and Why the Gates Are Opened
The decision to open the floodgates is made by Lake Lure officials in coordination with Rutherford County Emergency Management. Before severe storms, lake levels are often lowered to create additional storage capacity, preventing dangerous overflow as rainfall accumulates.
Proactive steps are currently being taken ahead of Hurricane Helene. Officials warned that additional water releases might be necessary, urging residents to prepare for possible evacuations. Severe weather sirens have already been activated both upstream and downstream along the Broad River. (Listen here for more details.)
Community and Environmental Impact
While Tainter gates protect the region from flooding, their operation can impact local ecosystems and recreational activities. Rapid water releases may disturb fish habitats and make sections of the river temporarily unsafe for boating and swimming. Nonetheless, these measures are necessary to prioritize public safety.
Lake Lure has improved communication with residents, ensuring that when floodgates are opened, timely updates are provided. Emergency teams coordinate with local authorities to help manage evacuations in flood-prone areas.
However, Rutherford County is one of the only area counties without a dedicated emergency shelter. Congressman Chuck Edwards shared a list yesterday on X (Twitter), where it was noticeably absent. Lake Lure is currently in Edwards’ 11th congressional district.
The Future of Lake Lure’s Flood Management
Lake Lure’s aging infrastructure, including its Tainter gates and flooding issues, has been a topic of concern for years. The town, working with Schnabel Engineering, is planning significant upgrades to the gates to ensure their reliability in the face of increasingly severe weather events, according to a review of past meeting minutes and public documents.
As extreme weather linked to climate change grows more frequent, modernizing Lake Lure’s flood control system is essential to protecting lives, property, and the surrounding environment.
Residents are urged to stay alert, monitor emergency notifications, and evacuate if necessary. I invite you to email me any photos or videos of flooding or what you’re experiencing first-hand. Stay safe, everyone!
Opinion & analysis
Cops & Congress Commentary: Balancing Tainter Gates, Dams, and the Safety of Communities Below
The balance between managing a dam's tainter gates and protecting the lives and property of those living downstream is one of the most critical public safety challenges. The function of tainter gates—mechanisms that regulate water flow from reservoirs—must be perfectly calibrated to ensure the dam maintains structural integrity while preventing dangerous flooding during high-water events. However, the safety of residents who live below these dams is just as important as the technical precision that goes into managing them.
Safeguarding Lives and Property
For residents living below a dam, preparedness is key to survival in case of emergency. They must be aware of evacuation routes, flood zones, and real-time dam status information. One of the most practical steps individuals can take is signing up for local emergency alerts through their town or county’s emergency management system. These alerts can provide crucial early warnings about rising water levels, potential gate releases, or dam malfunctions.
Residents should also advocate for regular inspections of their local dam and attend town hall meetings to voice concerns about flood risks. Staying informed and engaged is the first step in mitigating the danger of living downstream from a dam.
Lawmakers and the Future of Dam Safety
Lawmakers must prioritize dam infrastructure and public safety in their legislative agendas. At both the state and federal levels, laws should mandate regular dam inspections, ensure compliance with modern safety standards, and provide emergency funding for repairs or upgrades. The National Inventory of Dams (NID) already tracks data on over 91,000 dams across the U.S., but more transparency and public access to this data are essential to keeping citizens informed about the risks in their area.
In addition to ensuring infrastructure investment, lawmakers should push for new technology that can offer predictive flood modeling and real-time monitoring of dams. Federal programs, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Dam Safety Program, are crucial for ensuring that states have the resources and expertise to oversee these complex structures. Going forward, funding must be guaranteed to retrofit aging dams and to update disaster response plans.
The Role of Mayors and Town Commissioners
At the local level, mayors and town commissioners have a pivotal role in coordinating dam safety efforts with emergency management teams. These officials should work closely with local emergency management offices to develop comprehensive emergency plans, including routine drills and community education programs. Emergency managers need to have open lines of communication with both the operators of dams and the local population, ensuring that if Tainter gates must be opened, the public is informed in real-time, and evacuations can proceed swiftly.
Local officials should also push for cross-jurisdictional collaborations. Since the consequences of dam failures often extend beyond city borders, coordination between neighboring towns, counties, and even states is necessary to create unified response plans. These partnerships can improve resource allocation during emergencies and ensure that the public gets timely and consistent information.
Action Items for Residents and Lawmakers
Residents can:
Sign up for emergency alerts and evacuation notices.
Create family emergency plans, especially those in flood-prone areas.
Attend public safety meetings and advocate for regular dam inspections.
Install flood prevention measures on personal property, like sandbags or barriers.
Lawmakers should:
Mandate stringent, regular inspections and safety updates for dams.
Allocate federal and state funds to retrofit aging dam infrastructure.
Push for transparency in dam safety reports and risk assessments.
Enhance emergency alert systems with real-time flood risk information.
Local leaders must:
Collaborate closely with emergency management to develop and test evacuation and emergency plans.
Educate the public on evacuation routes and flood zone maps.
Ensure that communication with dam operators is clear, timely, and accurate.
To be clear, much of this is already happening in Lake Lure and Rutherford County but there is always room for improvement. Safeguarding lives and property below dams is a shared responsibility between residents, local officials, and lawmakers. With proactive planning, coordinated emergency response, and future investments in infrastructure, we can strike the right balance between the technical management of tainter gates and the safety of the people who live below them.
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