NEWS RELEASE

March 19, 2007

Cane Creek Reservoir and University Lake will reopen
 for the recreation season on Saturday, March 24th

On Saturday, March 24th, the Cane Creek Reservoir and University Lake will reopen for boating, fishing, picnicking, sunbathing and other recreation.

OWASA has designated the 24th as Lightning Brown Day in honor of the late Mr. Brown, a community activist and member of the OWASA Board of Directors in the mid-1990s.

All boat rental and lake use fees except those for electric trolling motor rentals will be waived on Lightning Brown Day.

University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir are alcohol-free facilities.

Lake hours and days for recreation

The recreation hours at the lakes are:

University Lake                                 

Fridays through Mondays,    6:30 AM - 6 PM        
                                  
Cane Creek Reservoir

Thursdays through Saturdays, 6:30 AM - 6 PM
Sundays, 1-6 PM

OWASA’s lakes will be closed on Friday, April 6th (Good Friday) but open for the Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day holidays.

Safety at the lakes

University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir are alcohol-free facilities as noted above.

All citizens who use the lakes are encouraged to put safety first. Life jackets are available at the lakes for adults and children at no charge.

How to get to the lakes

University Lake is on the west side of Carrboro. The recreation area is at the southern end of Old Fayetteville Road, which can be reached via Jones Ferry Road. The Cane Creek Reservoir is on the north side of NC 54 eight miles west of Carrboro Plaza. The entrance to the recreation area is on NC 54 just west of Stanford Road.

Fishing and boating

University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir are stocked with bass, catfish, bluegills and other fish. Under State rules, a fishing license is not necessary for an Orange County resident who fishes with live bait at Cane Creek or University Lake. NC fishing license requirements otherwise apply at the University Lake and Cane Creek Reservoirs.

OWASA offers canoes and flat-bottomed boats for rent at both lakes. 

Citizens may use small private boats if they are brought on a car or in a truck to University Lake or Cane Creek and after inspection by the lake staff. Boats on trailers are not permitted. 

The limitations on private boats are intended to help prevent aquatic weeds, which cause problems for fish and in water treatment, from being introduced into the reservoirs.  For this reason, boats brought to the lakes must be cleaned of mud and vegetation.

To help protect water quality, OWASA allows only electric motors, which are also inspected, at University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir.

Assistance to people with disabilities

Citizens with disabilities will receive assistance from OWASA staff as needed in order to enjoy boating at the OWASA reservoirs and using the recreation areas at the lakes. University Lake has a fishing pier designed for use by people with disabilities.

Fees

The normal fees for renting an OWASA boat or using a private boat are:

For OWASA customers and Orange County residents: $7.00 for the first person and $3.00 for each additional adult.  Children 12 and under and seniors 65 and over: $1.25.  Electric trolling motor rentals: additional $13.50. (Boats, canoes and electric motors are rented by the half-day.)

Non-Orange County residents: $11.50 for the first person and $4.50 for each additional adult. Children and seniors: $1.25.  Electric trolling motors: $19.00. 

For Orange County residents and OWASA customers who frequently enjoy the reservoirs, OWASA also offers season passes with discounts.

For more information:

Ken Loflin, Water Supply and Treatment Manager, 537-4232 or kloflin@owasa.org

Eric Barnhardt, Lakes Warden, Cane Creek Reservoir, 942-5790 or ccreek@owasa.org

Bob Glosson, Senior Assistant Lake Warden, University Lake, 942-8007   ulake@owasa.org