Ongoing and New CY2023/2024 Initiatives
Water Quality
We play a role as stewards of the lake by sponsoring our own periodic water quality testing program & taking actions as indicated
Contract with Western Carolina University, quarterly sampling started August 2020
Acceptable results in relation to NC standards - Ongoing quarterly monitoring for early detection of adverse trends
Installation of aquatic invasive species protection signage fall 2020 - if-ans-sign-2017.pdf
Water quality 4-year trends presentation spring 2024
Water Level Monitoring
We monitor lake level controls within committed target/min/max levels & advocate as needed with Duke to optimize lake health and usage
Duke Nantahala Lake level forecast & history - lakes.duke-energy.com/index.html#/detail/21/Detail#Detail
Ongoing dialogue with Duke and license stakeholders for potential license change to delay fall drawdown one month
Ongoing collaboration with Friends of Lake Glenville regarding common lake management issues
Boating Safety
We work to improve widespread understanding & adherence to established guidelines & requirements
installation of aquatic invasive species protection signage fall 2020
Boating Guidelines Placard 7/2021 - fonl_boating_guidelines_2021.pdf
Initiated & supported process for attempting restoration of No-Wake buoy's in Little Choga Cove late summer 2022
NCWRC Lake Safety and Enforcement Briefing - Spring 2024
Lake & Area Cleanup
We coordinate annual lake cleanup & quarterly Adopt-A-Highway efforts
Adopt-A-Highway location - SR 1401 Junaluska Rd., Old River Rd to 1.6 mile west towards Andrews, NC
https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/adoptahighway/Pages/default.aspx
Annual FONL Lake Cleanup June 2023 - partnered with Duke for large item removal July 2023
Annual FoNL Lake Cleanup - June 1, 2024
Communications & Emergency Services
We investigate & partner with local, county, & state entities to improve communications & emergency response services
Macon Co. regarding EMS response; Duke regarding dam safety; Sherriff zoom briefings regarding local patrolling presence & local issues
Board meeting/briefing by local EMS & fire response management held March 2022
Multiple Macon county broadband expansion updates, updating on Starlink availability 2023
Distribution of Community Watch signage 2023
County Broadband and BalsamWest progress & plans - fall 2023, spring 2024
Promote Lake Community
We promote positive involvement in and awareness of Nantahala Lake community through targeted efforts
FONL.org website, multiple newspaper articles in The Franklin Press, branded merchandise development & sales
Structured meetings with elected county officials and critical services leadership regarding area interests
Summer 2022 Hemlock Restoration Initiative hosted training and in situ demonstration
Donations 2022 & 2023 to the Nantahala Volunteer Fire Department, 2022 for the Nantahala School & Hemlock Restoration Initiative
Lake-wide FONL social event summer 2023 and lake-wide Survey for lessons learned sharing fall 2023
Lake-wide FONL social event summer 2024
Fishing on Nantahala Lake
We work with NC Wildlife Resources Commission & area fishermen/women to take actions promoting fishing quality while maintaining a balance that is both beneficial and sustainable for the Lake environment and ecosystem as a whole
NC Wildlife Resources Commission Kokanee salmon stocking spring 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023
Thirty (30) fish habitat/attractor installations January 2022, Gill-net Kokanee survey fall 2022 and 2023
NCWRC zoom meeting re: lake fish species and issues - update March 2024