Restoration of Eastwood Lake, Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Issues and Expectations

Eastwood Lake is a manmade lake located in the rolling hills of eastern Piedmont North Carolina. The lake is owned by Lake Forest Association and is located in a residential subdivision in Chapel Hill, NC. Built in 1937, the lake is about 61 years old and is formed by a stone masonry dam approximately 19 feet high and 300 feet long. The dam is classified high hazard and is regulated by the NC State Dam Safety Office. The lake surface covers about 47 acres and is bordered primarily by lawns and natural buffers. Flow from the approximately 5 square mile watershed enters from 2 primary streams and from sheet flow off of the adjacent properties. The lake serves as a focal point for the neighborhood and its primary benefits are water quality enhancement, flood storage, aesthetics, and seasonal recreation. Abundant wildlife is found in and around Eastwood Lake.