Lake Lure Water Data Draws Scrutiny Ahead of June Meeting

Questions are growing over how the town of Lake Lure shared water quality data as the lake continues reopening after Hurricane Helene.

At issue is E. coli testing at the town's beach and when the results were made public. 

According to public records, a June 3 sample showed an E. coli level of 488 CFU per 100 mL, according to data from Broad Riverkeeper’s Swim Guide and NCDEQ water monitoring tools. A later sample on June 6 at the same location showed 8 CFU per 100 mL, according to a report from the town.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses 126 CFU per 100 mL as a common guideline for recreational waters. Higher levels can signal increased risk for swimmers, though results can change quickly due to rain, runoff, and wildlife activity. Levels at the mid-range meant that even with a 488 reading, paddling and wading were considered "acceptable," but it "failed" for swimming at that level.

Questions now focus on what the town knew, when it knew it, and why the June 3 result did not appear on the town’s public reporting page at the same time it was available through monitoring platforms.

A review of the town’s online water quality spreadsheet on June 6 showed no posted results after April 27. After concerns were raised publicly, the spreadsheet was no longer accessible to the public on the website. The public record was removed and later reposted. Town officials backdated the information to include May and June data samples. However, the updated spreadsheet still does not display the 488 CFU reading, since that was done by the Broad Riverkeeper, not the town's contracted water testing lab, Environmental Quality Institute.

The original spreadsheet was saved by this reporter before the town removed it. Destroying a public record is a crime in North Carolina.

As of June 7, town officials had not publicly explained the discrepancy of when they received the test result, when it was first uploaded to their system, or why it was not visible on the town’s website before questions were raised.

Lake Lure remains in phased recovery after Hurricane Helene, which caused major damage across western North Carolina in Sept. 2024. Cleanup efforts have included debris removal from the lake, where crews also recovered millions of cubic yards of storm debris and the remains of a human victim, a horse, and a cow immediately following the impacts of flooding into the Broad River watershed.

Immediately following the hurricane, following questions about the town not informing the public, Lake Lure town council member Patrick Bryant said, "EOC (Emergency Operations Center) does not report on wildlife or domestic animal populations, only human lives." 

Mayor Carol Pritchett said for months, there was "no loss of life" in the town. That was inaccurate.

Chimney Rock resident Lisa Peeler Brady was found in the lake after her home was washed away. NCDHHS counts those who die in the town in which they are found, following CDC guidance.

There are 107 verified storm-related fatalities in North Carolina as of June 17, 2025, due to Hurricane Helene, including four in Rutherford County.

Now, more than 20 months later, state environmental officials say water testing results are snapshots in time and are meant to help the public understand conditions, but said they do not provide a “safe or unsafe” swimming determination.

Mayor Pritchett recently said, "The town of Lake Lure continues to regularly test and closely monitor water quality following Hurricane Helene. Comprehensive testing confirms that all results remain within normal limits, confirming that the lake is safe for public use."

Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell said on June 7 that the later reading of 8 CFU is “definitely more typical for Lake Lure” and reflects “very low” bacteria levels.

He said the result suggests generally good water quality at that time, while noting that it is not possible to determine the exact source of the earlier spike, adding it was “probably some goose poop.”

The town's public records policy said it follows laws requiring transparency, but questions remain about timing, access, and whether information was shared with the public as soon as it became available.

E.coli is naturally occurring and not unique to Lake Lure. Elevated E. coli levels are a natural consequence of the region's geography and are common in watersheds. It impacts multiple bodies of water in western North Carolina, including nearby Lake James in McDowell County.

The swim beach is managed through a contract concession agreement with Lake Lure Tours through 2028. The town held a special meeting in June 2024 to clarify that Ridgeline Investment Partners, LLC, is the managing member of NC-III Ridgeline LL Tours, LLC. They also own the Lake Lure Inn across from the beach. Town residents get free beach entry with a valid ID; otherwise, there is a fee to access it. 

Additional updates on watershed monitoring and infrastructure recovery, including dam and bridge-related projects, are expected at the next town council meeting on June 9.