Lake levels across the Triangle are starting to return to normal after consistent heavy rain, but Chatham County Sheriff’s deputies still warn of the dangers on Jordan Lake.
Jordan Lake is nearly 7 feet above normal, and the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing 14 thousand cubic feet per second to keep the level dropping.
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Many fishermen took to the lake to start fishing again.
"I've never seen it like that," said Lester Scroggins, who's been coming to Jordan Lake for three decades. "I've see it high and over the walkway, but never a foot over the wall."
Though levels are approaching normal, deputies warn people to still be cautious on the water. Deputies say there is still debris floating in the lake which could be a hazard for boaters and swimmers.
“The Shoreline that you’re walking up to is not the normal shoreline area,” said park ranger Jon Bannerman. “There’s going to be a lot of underwater hazards and obstructions that you can’t see like small trees, logs, and other things like that.”
The warning comes as Tropical Depression Chantal dropped over 5 feet of heavy rain over the area earlier this month leaving several people dead. A teen was found dead after he drowned while fishing on Jordan Lake. Two other men were found dead after days long search after their boat went missing following the heavy storms.
Whether they are swimming or not, deputies said people should always wear a life jacket.
“It is inherently dangerous,” Bannerman continued. “There are drop-offs and there are other concerns that all go back to not being able to see the bottom.”