Lake Emory Going Down Temporarily.

In coordination with state and federal natural resource agencies, the reservoir for Duke Energy’s Franklin Hydroelectric Project is being drawn down to permit federally required repairs. The 174 acre Lake Emory is 4.6 miles long, running from the 4-lane to the dam. Large debris that came down river during heavy rains several weeks ago damaged the metal gates atop the dam. These are used to release water in excess of the reservoir capacity and maintain a flow for downstream aquatic habitat. “We expect to complete the work within two or three weeks, depending on the weather. Then the normal in-flow will return the lake to normal over time,” said Fred Alexander, Duke business relations manager. The hydro project was built by the Town of Franklin in 1925 and sold to Nantahala Power and Light in 1931.

-Duke Press Release