Lochmere has 3 Lakes Committees, each with responsibility for one of our neighborhood's beautiful lakes.
Please remember that the lakes were never designed for flood control, and cannot be lowered for storms. The lakes were built for recreational use and as repositories for stormwater runoff. Each homeowner living adjacent to the lakes is responsible for protecting their own properties.
Lake Lochmere is the “big lake” that has the boat ramp and dock, but is otherwise surrounded by private property. There are also 3 holding ponds. The Lochside holding ponds feed into Lochmere Lake. David Purks oversees Lake Lochmere as Chairman. David is assisted by Todd Rankin.
Loch Lomond is the lake surrounded by the 1.1 mile trail near the main entrance of Lochmere off Kildaire Farm Road (adjacent to Fonville-Morisey).
Highlands Lake is on Loch Highlands Drive, at the main entrance to the Highlands off Kildaire Farm Road. Reid Whiteside oversees Highlands Lake as Chairman.
If you are interested in joining any of the lake committees, please contact one of the three chairs noted above.
Highlands Lake Dredging Update -- September 2024:
The Lakes Committee and Board of Directors continue to look into options around the Highlands Lake dredging.
Since the Town hall meeting, we have had additional depth measurements taken down toward the Dam and along the shoreline on the homeowners property side. Material samples were also collected. Near the Dam and shoreline there was organic material consisting of leaves and tree debris as was expected. Off of the Dam and toward the deeper sections, typical soft mud deposits were noted.
We are waiting on additional depth maps from our lakes contractor.
Other methods of dredging and access are still being explored.
¨Lochmere Lake – In 2015 we replaced all of the bulkheads and docks at
the dam.
In 2017 our goal was to remove silt, deepening 5 coves, and restoring navigation at the north end of the lake. At that time, the north end of the lake was unnavigable. Hydraulic dredging began May, 2017. The dredging was completed in July 2017.
¨Loch Lomond – In 2020 we dredged 4,127 cubic yards at the north end, removing the sediment reef, inlet siltation, and restored proper depth. A forebay was dug out so that future silt will collect in this one area which can be accessed for future dredging. An access route was constructed from Loch Haven to the lake will be a permanent way to get to the lake in the future. During this project, various stor water pipes were repaired and replaced, rip rap around the lake was reset, and areas with debris were removed.
All of the Lochmere Lakes got a thorough checkup in 2012. Foster Lake and Pond Management was hired to execute a detailed bathymetric study. You may have noticed their boat on the lakes using GPS and sonar to carefully map the lake bottoms and silt accumulation.
This is the most comprehensive assessment done in many years and will serve as an excellent check on our reserve study plans. Detailed maps were created to show water and silt depths for each lake/pond. These maps are now posted as attachments below. A bathymetry study was conducted in April 2017 on the north section of Lake Lochmere prior to dredging. Another bathymetry survey and sediment analysis was conducted on the north section of Loch Lomond in 2017.
Lochside Upper Holding Pond: This small pond is also silting in near the inlet and plans are bing formulated to partially dredge this pond in 2021. The earth dam will be restored too.
Important reminders for using our lakes:
- Our Lakes are ONLY for the enjoyment of Lochmere residents and our accompanied guests; nonresidents are tresspassers and Cary Police (919.469.4012) can be called to enforce removal.
- LOCHMERE BOAT DECALS FAQ
WHO: Any Lochmere residents only.
WHAT: for all watercraft owned by Lochmere residents. There is no limit to how many craft a resident may request stickers for within reason. This includes kayaks & paddle boards. No gasoline engines are allowed to be operated on the lake. Trolling electric motors only. Only Lake maintenance staff may use gas motors when needed.
WHEN: Good for as long as the individual remains a resident of Lochmere. If decals wear off, then they need to pay and replace them.
WHERE: available from the Lochmere office at 502 Lochmere Drive. Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. If you are unavailable to come during those hours, please call the office to make other arrangements. 919-233-7640.
HOW: to be attached to each side of the bow of the craft and are mandatory to operate a craft on Lake Lochmere.
HOW MUCH: $5 for a set of two decals. Pay by check made out to Lochmere Association.
- Dogs should be kept leashed at all times during visits to all Lochmere common areas, including the lakes and lake trail. Please scoop and dispose of your pet's waste properly.
- Swimming, kayaking, and canoeing is not allowed in any of the lake spillways or downstream tributaries.
- The lakes are not lowered for flood mitigation. See Engineer Report below (attachement) as well as our Lakes Management Document too.
Please see the attachment below for a complete list of rules and regulations regarding boating and lake use. Also attached are the bathymetric maps.
