Lake Lure (North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Lure |
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 Lake Lure
Location in North Carolina
Lake Lure
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rutherford County, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°25′55″N 82°11′50″W / 35.43194°N 82.19722°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Broad River |
| Primary outflows | Broad River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 717 acres (2.9 km2) |
| Surface elevation | 990 ft (300 m) |
| Settlements | Lake Lure, North Carolina |
Lake Lure is a beautiful lake in North Carolina. It is not a natural lake, but an artificial lake or reservoir. This means it was created by people. It is located near the town of Lake Lure.
How Lake Lure Was Created
In 1925, a family named Morse started a company called Carolina Mountain Power Company. They had a big idea to build a dam on the Broad River. This dam would create a large lake.
Building the dam took two years to finish. By 1927, the dam was ready, and the area behind it began to fill with water. This is how Lake Lure was formed. The lake covers about 720 acres (2.9 square kilometers). Its shoreline stretches for about 27 miles (43 kilometers).
In 1928, a special power plant started working at the dam. This hydroelectric plant used the flowing water to make electricity. It provided power for another company called Blue Ridge Power Company. Later, a bigger company called Duke Power took over.
Fun Facts and Challenges
Lake Lure has been a popular spot for many years. It was even used as a filming location for the famous 1987 movie Dirty Dancing. Parts of the movie were filmed right there at the lake and near the dam.
In 2024, a very strong storm called Hurricane Helene brought a lot of rain to the area. The lake filled up so much that water flowed over the top of the dam. This caused damage to the dam and the land around it. Because of the danger, people living downstream from the dam had to leave their homes for safety.
