News Article - Lake Data Reported - Chatham Today

Chatham TODAY Tuesday, January 6, 1987 Page 17

Lake Data Reported

By R.C. "Duck" Duckson

While area temperatures were
averaging about normal for December, it
was the rainfall, and ultimately the ris-
ing reservoir level, which caused the
most notice last month. Climatological
data recorded at Jordan Dam during
December revealed the average daily
maximum temperature for the month
was 53 degrees F, only one degree lower
than usual, whereas the average daily
minimum (overnight low) temperature
was 30 degrees F, or three degrees
above normal.
Total rainfall for December, which
registered 11 days of measurable
precipitation, amounted to 3.70 inches,
nearly one-half inch above average.
Although past records indicate we
should average an inch of snow for
December, there was none to be
measured last month.
Jordan Lake began December at an
elevation of 208.35 feet above Mean Sea
Level (MSL) and experienced a month-
long climb, rising 6.35 feet throughout
the period to reach a level of 214.70 by
year's end. It is interesting to note this
year-end elevation is the highest record-
ed at the lake since an identical reading
was taken on June 4,1986.
You would have to go all the way back
to April 13, 1986 to find the last time the
reservoir stood at the top of the conser-
vation pool (216.0 feet MSL) . The
highest lake level achieved during 1986
came on March 17 when the reservoir
peaked at 219.15 feet MSL, well below
the all-time high of 225.0 feet MSL
established in June 1982. Meanwhile, a
new record low was attained on
November 12, 1986 when the lake level
plummeted to 207.85 feet MSL, eclipsing
the. previous low, recorded in October
1983, by an even foot.
Safe boating continues to be a high
priority item for the Corps of Engineers
as well as the State of North Carolina.
But just where do the finances come
from to help support a safe boating pro-
gram within our state?
In 1986, the boating program in North
Carolina received funding from three
state sources - boating registration fees,
the State fuel tax and the general fund.
In addition, the State also received
federal financial assistance as well.
How will this money be spent? Some
of the funds will be used to purchase ad-
ditional waterway markers, patrol
boats, motors and trailers, fuel and oil
for equipment and to keep one additional
aircraft in operation for patrol plus
search and rescue. Also, safety
brochures and posters will be prepared
and distributed to marinas and stores
where boaters are known to congregate.
Furthermore, articles promoting
boating safety will be developed and
distributed to the media for use in public
awareness campaigns. And last but not
least, some of the money has already
helped to defray the cost of rewriting a
boating safety course available to the
public which is intended to improve an
individual's boat handling skills on lakes
as well as other bodies of water within
our state.