Due to the high pool elevation, recreation opportunities at the lake are impacted. The Dam West, Coles Creek, and Boulder Campgrounds will be closing April 29 at 4:00 p.m. however, campsites are still available at the McNair and Dam East Spillway Campgrounds. In addition, several private campgrounds around the lake remain open. Hazlet State Park will be closing when the lake level approaches 456.0. The Horseshoe Island, Dam West, Dam East, General Dean, City of Carlyle Boat Ramp, Boulder, and Apache high water boat ramps are currently available for launching.

Other areas closed due to the high pool include several township roads around the lake, the Lakeview and Maple Grove Fishing Piers the Keyesport, Coles Creek, Dam West and McNair Beaches, and the Coles Creek Day Use Area. As the lake continues to rise, numerous other roads will become inundated. Motorists should use caution when driving in low lying areas around the lake.

Due to the high water level, many breakwaters and other facilities have been overtopped by water and caution should be used when boating near these and other submerged structures. Boaters should become familiar with the location of these structures before launching and must stay clear of all inundated recreation areas and beaches. Boaters should also watch for floating logs and other debris.

At pool levels above 450.0 feet NGVD, flowage easement lands surrounding the lake are used for flood storage. These lands are private property and are not open to public recreation. The surface area of Carlyle Lake at the normal summer pool elevation of 445.0 feet NGVD is 24,583 acres. The current surface area of Carlyle Lake is approximately 38,666 acres.

-more-

The pool elevation at Lake Shelbyville, situated north of Carlyle Lake is 602.68 feet NGVD, with a release of approximately 1,530 cfs. Lake Shelbyville’s pool is expected to crest around 608.0 by Thursday, May 5, without additional rainfall. The campgrounds at Lake Shelbyville remain open.

Carlyle Lake and Lake Shelbyville are working as designed to lessen flooding on downstream sections of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. The average inflow for Carlyle Lake throughout the past five days has been 27,434 cfs and currently.

The Corps is closely working with their partners, the Carlyle Lake Association, Mid-Kaskaskia River Association and Okaw River Basin Coalition. For further information, contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at 801 Lake Road, Carlyle, Illinois 62231, call (618) 594-2484 or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil.