Boiling Spring Lakes reaches major milestone as Upper Lake begins filling

BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WWAY) — Upper Lake in Boiling Spring Lakes is officially beginning to refill after the city received final approval from the state to resume impoundment following dam modifications.

In a social media post Wednesday, city officials announced they received the Certificate of Final Approval to Modify Upper (Allen Creek) Dam from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Dam Safety Program.

The approval certifies that the area upstream of the dam can once again be impounded, allowing the lake to begin filling with water.

Following the state’s approval, city officials conducted a final inspection of the area and closed the dam’s gate valve on Tuesday morning, July 21, marking the start of the refilling process.

Officials said it will likely take several weeks for Upper Lake to fill, although the timeline could be shortened depending on rainfall and other weather conditions.

The milestone marks another step forward in the city’s ongoing efforts to restore its lakes and infrastructure following years of dam repairs and improvements.