Jordan Lake

2025-10-09T04:07:47Z

2605:A601:A607:9C00:9D54:15A2:5587:EF0F: added content

{{Short description|Lake in North Carolina, U.S.}}
{{Other places}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = B. Everett Jordan Lake
| image = Jordan Lake Sunrise.jpg
| caption = The sun rising over Jordan Lake, taken from Farrington Road
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| agency = [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]]
| location = [[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham]] / [[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham]] counties, [[North Carolina]], United States
| coords = {{coord|35|45|0|N|79|1|30|W |region:US-NC_type:waterbody |display=inline,title}}
| lake_type = [[Reservoir]]
| inflow = [[Haw River]], [[New Hope Creek]], Morgan Creek, and Little Creek
| outflow = [[Haw River]]
| catchment =
| basin_countries = United States
| length = {{convert|16|mi|km}}<ref name="UACE brochure"/>
| width = {{convert|5|mi|km}}<ref name="UACE brochure"/>
| area = {{convert|13940|acre|km2}}<br />{{convert|31800|acre|km2}} [[flood control]] pool<ref name="UACE brochure">{{cite journal|last=US Army Corps of Engineers|title=B Everett Jordan Dam and Lake|journal=Brochure}}</ref>
| depth = {{convert|14|ft}}<ref name="UACE brochure"/>
| max-depth = {{convert|38|ft}}<ref name="UACE brochure"/>
| volume = {{convert|215100|acre ft|hm3}}
| residence_time =
| shore = {{convert|180|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="UACE brochure"/>
| elevation = {{convert|216|ft|m|abbr=on}} <ref name="UACE brochure"/>
| islands =
| cities =
| frozen = never

| pushpin_map = North Carolina#USA
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina, USA.
| pushpin_map_caption =

| website =
| reference =
}}

'''B. Everett Jordan Lake''' is a [[reservoir]] in [[New Hope Valley]], west of [[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]] and south of [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] in [[Chatham County, North Carolina]], in the United States; the northernmost end of the lake extends into southwestern [[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham County]].

Part of the [[Jordan Lake State Recreation Area]],<ref name="UACE brochure"/> the reservoir covers {{convert|13940|acre}} with a shoreline of {{convert|180|mi}} at its standard water level of {{convert|216|ft}} above sea level. Empounded in 1974, it was developed as part of a [[flood control]] project prompted by a particularly damaging [[1945 Southeast Florida hurricane|tropical storm]] that hit the region downstream in September 1945. Constructed at an original cost of US$146,300,000, it is owned and operated by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]], which dammed and flooded the [[Haw River]] and [[New Hope Creek|New Hope River]] between 1973 and 1983.

==Construction==
The '''Jordan Lake Dam''' (also known as the B. Everett Jordan Project and the New Hope Dam) is located at {{coord|35|39|15|N|79|4|0|W |region:US-NC_type:landmark |name=B. Everett Jordan Dam}} {{convert|4|mi|km}} upstream from the mouth of the [[Haw River]] in the upper [[Cape Fear River]] [[drainage basin]]. Completed in 1974 by the [[Nello L. Teer Company]], it is {{convert|1,330|ft|m}} in length and has a top elevation of {{convert|266.5|ft|m}} above [[Sea level|mean sea level]].<ref name="UACE brochure"/>

During the construction of the reservoir, much of the area was permanently changed. The [[Durham and South Carolina Railroad]] was relocated from the New Hope basin to higher ground but its stations were not rebuilt, and the line itself was soon abandoned.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Capehart |first1=Al |title=Durham to Duncan – Norfolk Southern |url=http://wedcrew.yolasite.com/resources/Historical_Pictures/Durham%20to%20Duncan-Norfolk%20Southern.pdf |access-date=15 September 2019}}</ref> Many farming families were relocated as the project was developed and several roads in eastern Chatham County were either rerouted or taken out of commission completely. Some of the roads were never demolished, but simply allowed to flood over. When the lake is at low water volume, many of these roads can still be seen and some have even been utilized for makeshift boat ramps.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Mike |date=2024-03-05 |title=Unusually low reservoir levels reveal remnants of submerged town from 1980s: 'For years, these ruins have been virtually invisible' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/unusually-low-reservoir-levels-reveal-020000396.html |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Originally authorized in 1963 as the New Hope Lake Project, the reservoir was renamed in 1974 in memory of [[B. Everett Jordan]], former US Senator from North Carolina.

==Water supply==
[[Image:Jordan Lake-27527.jpg|thumb|left|275px|The northern end of Jordan Lake, near the Morgan Creek inlet]]
Jordan Lake serves as a major water supply for central North Carolina. Allocations made in Round 4 total 95.9% of the water supply pool. Governmental units allocated water from Jordan Lake in Round 4 (approved by the NC EMC on March 9, 2017) include the system jointly operated by Towns of Cary and Apex, which also serves Morrisville and the Wake County portion of [[Research Triangle Park]] (46.2%); Chatham County North (13%); City of Durham (16.5%); Town of Holly Springs (2%); Orange County (1.5%); Orange Water & Sewer Authority (5%); City of Raleigh (4.7%); Town of Pittsboro (6%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE BEFORE THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION ROUND 4 JORDAN LAKE ALLOCATION FINAL DECISION |url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Resources/files/permits/jordanlake/EMC_Final_Decision_Round_4_Jordan_Lake_Allocation_2017-04-04.pdf |access-date=5 June 2025 |website=files.nc.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Round 4 Jordan Lake Water Supply Allocation Recommendations |url=https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Resources/files/permits/jordanlake/Revised_Jordan_Lake_Water_Supply_Allocation_Recommendations_20170310.pdf |access-date=5 June 2025 |website=files.nc.gov}}</ref> However, in 2019, following the fourth round of allocations the City of Raleigh relinquished its 4.7% water supply pool allocation. As such it is expected that the remaining unallocated portion of the water supply pool is 8.8%.

Previously, allocations made in 2002 totalled 63 mgd (1% is often assumed to be equal to 1 mgd, but allocations are officially by percentage of the total water supply pool). Governmental units allocated water from Jordan Lake at that time were the Towns of Cary and Apex (32 mgd), Chatham County (6 mgd), City of Durham (10 mgd), Town of Holly Springs (2 mgd), Town of Morrisville (3.5 mgd), Orange County (1 mgd), Orange Water & Sewer Authority (5 mgd), and Wake County - RTP South (3.5 mgd).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cleanjordanlake.org/about-us/ |title=Clean Jordan Lake |access-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-date=November 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124133133/http://cleanjordanlake.org/about-us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ncwater.org/?page=317 |title=NCDENR DWR Permits & Registration » Jordan Lake Water Supply Allocation |access-date=2014-11-26 |archive-date=2014-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009012608/http://www.ncwater.org/?page=317 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ncwater.org/?page=313 NCDENR DWR Current Allocations]</ref>
[[File:Northeast Creek Inlet of Jordan Lake.png|thumb|Northeast Creek Inlet of Jordan Lake]]

==Water quality==
Jordan Lake was declared as nutrient-sensitive waters (NSW) by the [[North Carolina Environmental Management Commission]] from 1983, the year it was impounded. The lake is [[eutrophic]] or hyper-eutrophic owing to excessive nutrient levels.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jordanlake.org/web/jordanlake/background |title=NCDENR DWR Background |access-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129121207/http://www.jordanlake.org/web/jordanlake/background |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:B. Everett Jordan Lake Map.png|thumb|Jordan Lake offers a variety of facilities for recreation, conservation, and flood control.]]

Requirements of the federal [[Clean Water Act]] were triggered when the lake became impaired, including the need to set load reduction limits for point and nonpoint sources and enforce discharge limits.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jordanlake.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=b777ca95-0332-45d0-aaef-fe28088293b9&groupId=235275 |title=Brief History of Jordan Nutrient Strategy |access-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331060251/http://www.jordanlake.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=b777ca95-0332-45d0-aaef-fe28088293b9&groupId=235275 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Jordan Lake Rules are designed to improve water quality in the lake. The rules were developed with extensive meetings, public hearings and negotiations between residents, environmental groups, local and state government agencies and other stakeholders. The rules mandate reducing pollution from wastewater discharges, [[stormwater runoff]] from new and existing development, agriculture and fertilizer application.<ref>[http://www.jordanlake.org/ NCDENR DWR Jordan Lake Rules]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=fd6c684b-2c8e-4617-a890-551ad77cd680&groupId=235275 |title=Jordan Lake Rules fact sheet |access-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115103051/http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=fd6c684b-2c8e-4617-a890-551ad77cd680&groupId=235275 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From July 2011 several NC laws have been passed delaying and weakening the rules, culminating in a plan to deploy floating arrays of in-lake circulators intended to reduce harmful algae and excessive [[chlorophyll]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jordanlake.org/web/jordanlake/read-the-rules |title=NCDENR - Read the Rules |access-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129121420/http://www.jordanlake.org/web/jordanlake/read-the-rules |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.waterworld.com/articles/print/volume-28/issue-9/weftec-editorial-features/using-circulators-to-control-wastewater-pond-odors.html Using Circulators to Control Wastewater Pond Odors]</ref> However, they proved ineffective in a testing program and were removed in 2016.

On December 21, 2017, researchers at Duke University have discovered elevated levels of several perfluorinated compounds an unregulated family of industrial chemicals including some that can raise cancer risks in Jordan Lake and drinking water treated by the town of Cary. Cary water treatment officials, who have independently confirmed the findings of Duke researchers, say the town's water is safe to drink. They also point out that the compounds detected are still below health advisory levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Testing still continues as of March 8, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wral.com/elevated-levels-of-perfluorinated-chemicals-found-in-cary-drinking-water/17205916/|title=Elevated levels of unregulated chemicals found in Jordan Lake, Cary drinking water :: WRAL.com|last=WRAL|work=WRAL.com|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en}}</ref>

==Recreational use==
[[File:Jordan Lake Boat Ramp.jpg|thumb|A boat launch ramp at Jordan Lake]]
{{expand section|date=September 2024}}

Swimming and boating are permitted in the lake. Fishing is also permitted in certain spots.
{{-}}

==Shoreline trash cleanup==
[[File:Jordan Lake Durham.jpg|thumb|A sign by the lake reads, "Glass / cans and pets prohibited on beach".]]

[[Bald eagle]] habitat being endangered by trash submerged by the lake's creation spurred volunteer efforts to clean up the shoreline and other sensitive areas.<ref>[http://www.newsobserver.com/2008/09/18/39858/debris-clogs-jordan-lakes-coves.html News & Observer: Debris clogs Jordan Lake's coves] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928193436/http://www.newsobserver.com/2008/09/18/39858/debris-clogs-jordan-lakes-coves.html |date=2012-09-28 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://chatham.mync.com/site/Chatham/news/story/8471/volunteers-sought-for-trash-removal-in-jordan-lake/ |title=NBC 17: Volunteers Sought For Trash Removal In Jordan Lake |access-date=2010-05-20 |archive-date=2009-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409013525/http://chatham.mync.com/site/chatham/news/story/8471/volunteers-sought-for-trash-removal-in-jordan-lake |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009 the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] worked with local activists to establish Clean Jordan Lake, a nonprofit "friends of the lake" group.<ref>cleanjordanlake.org</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/jordan-lake-turtles-herons-and-styrofoam/Content?oid=1409882 |title=Independent Weekly: Jordan Lake: Turtles, herons and Styrofoam |access-date=May 20, 2010 |archive-date=May 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507172125/http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/jordan-lake-turtles-herons-and-styrofoam/Content?oid=1409882 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Volunteer cleanups aided by the Corps of Engineers began in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | last=Curliss | first=J. Andrew | title=Littered lake gets a cleanup | website=NewsObserver.com | date=May 12, 2010 | url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/09/474110/littered-lake-gets-a-cleanup.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512191254/http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/09/474110/littered-lake-gets-a-cleanup.html | archive-date=May 12, 2010 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>[http://chatham.mync.com/site/Chatham/news/story/51274/volunteers-wanted-to-clean-up-jordan-lake/ NBC 17: Volunteers Wanted To Clean Up Jordan Lake]</ref> Since then, Clean Jordan Lake has organized over 300 community service cleanups, formed the Adopt-A-Shoreline Program that comprises 19 groups that clean habitually littered areas three times per year, and formed the Adopt-A-Feeder Stream Program with semi-annual cleanups to prevent trash from reaching the lake. As of late 2017, 5,600 volunteers have removed 13,500 bags of trash (enough to fill 40 large dumpsters) and 4,300 tires. Clean Jordan Lake estimates that 80% of the trash is from stormwater runoff and 20% from recreational use of the lake.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://chathamcountyline.org/pdfs/CCL.may17.web.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-10-23 |archive-date=2017-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023230531/http://chathamcountyline.org/pdfs/CCL.may17.web.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://issuu.com/_aca/docs/2014_fall_newsletter/1|title=Talking Trash: Fall 2014 by ACA | Canoe - Kayak - SUP - Raft - Rescue - Issuu|date=October 29, 2014 }}</ref>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [https://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes-and-Dams/B-Everett-Jordan/ B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake] Corps of Engineers
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090612111907/http://epec.saw.usace.army.mil/jord.htm Jordan Lake project - U.S. Corps of Engineers]
* [http://www.ncwater.org/?page=313 Permits & Registration » Jordan Lake Water Supply Allocation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120216124857/http://everettjordan.uslakes.info/DamInfo.asp?DamID=100381 Jordan Lake Dam - Lakes Online]
* [https://epec.saw.usace.army.mil/BEJPERT.TXT US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit, Project Information]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130627042958/http://robslink.com/SAS/democd31/jordan.htm Jordan Lake water level graph (1983-present)]

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Protected areas of Chatham County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Durham County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Reservoirs in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Dams in North Carolina]]
[[Category:United States Army Corps of Engineers dams]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1974]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Chatham County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Durham County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in North Carolina]]

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Jordan Lake