8/13/04

Rain From Hurricane Charley Good News for Holly Springs Lake
Bass Lake Dam Activated Aug. 13

Bad news: Hurricane Charley is on his way toward the Triangle.

Good news: The Town of Holly Springs received a permit from the state Aug. 12 to activate the dam at its newest park – Bass Lake Park – which opened its doors last weekend.

What it means: The original Bass Lake dam was destroyed by the storm-waters of Hurricane Fran in 1996. After the lake emptied, the Town acquired the lakebed and its surrounding property and constructed the park and a retreat center. Now, the lake that was destroyed because of one hurricane will be refilled by the waters of another hurricane. The approval of the permit for the dam couldn’t have come at a better time!

About Bass Lake Park & Retreat Center:

The 90-acre Bass Lake Park is a more than $2 million project. More than $1 million of the funding is grant money from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, NC Water Resources and NC Trails. Additional money for the park was funded by business contributions, developer fees and other Town revenues.

The park is open from 8 a.m.-sunset. Currently, park visitors can enjoy hiking the 1.25-mile mulch trail that snakes along the lakeshore and features scenic overlooks. The retreat center and park office are also open, as is the concession stand. Fishing is allowed from the shoreline, and already several large catfish have been caught. When the lake is full, visitors can rent canoes and boats with trolling motors and can fish from the boats.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us