Skip to content

Natural feature in Orange County

University Lake

A reservoir on Morgan Creek built by the University of North Carolina in 1932 as the water supply for Chapel Hill, now operated by OWASA.

Source: NCpedia, North Carolina Gazetteer

6 works about University Lake are indexed here.

Common subjects in works about University Lake

In the chronology

Storylines about University Lake, in date order. Each has its own page.

Other dated events here, in date order. See these 89 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Burials begin in the Matthew and Martha McCauley family cemetery The family burial ground of Matthew and Martha McCauley, who gave land for the university, lies on Old Fayetteville Road near University Lake. Its graves date from about 1825 to 1850. People: Matthew McCauley Also named: Martha McCauleySearch the index · NC Digital Collections: Kelly Lally and Ruth Little, Chapel Hill Township Survey Final Report (1992), p. 30
  2. Mason Toney Strayhorn and his grandson Alfred Barbee finish a stone dam across Morgan Creek Toney Strayhorn, a formerly enslaved Carrboro mason and preacher, completed a thirty-foot-wide stone dam spanning Morgan Creek near University Lake with his grandson Alfred Barbee, whose first masonry job it was. Alfred and his brother Willis Barbee went on to build walls, dams and chimneys around Chapel Hill and Carrboro for sixty years. People: Alfred David Barbee Sr., Toney StrayhornSearch the index · NC Historic Preservation Office: Heather Fearnbach, Troy M. and Roberta C. Andrews House, National Register nomination (draft, 2026)
  3. University Lake begins supplying Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina dammed Morgan Creek west of Carrboro to form University Lake, which began supplying water to the university and to Chapel Hill. The lake and about 500 acres of surrounding land remain in university ownership, with OWASA entitled to use the lake under contract.Orange Water and Sewer Authority: Capital Improvements Program Book FY24-28 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, July 1, 1932, p. 6; Chapel Hill Weekly, June 17, 1932, p. 1
  4. University Lake is stocked with bass and bream A state hatchery truck from Fayetteville brought 1,200 black bass and bream to the University's new lake west of the village in late September, and in October about 15,000 more fish were hauled in two truckloads from Lake Mattamuskeet, which the state was draining. Water superintendent J. S. Bennett expected fishing, from boats only to protect the water supply, to begin in about a year and a half. People: John S. Bennett, Moody W. DurhamThe Chapel Hill Weekly, October 7, 1932, p. 1
  5. University Lake fills for the first time and spills over its dam After a weekend deluge swelled Morgan's Creek and Brice's Creek, the University's new reservoir filled for the first time, and water began pouring over the dam around midnight on Sunday, October 16; by 8 the next morning it ran 15 inches deep over the spillway. Scores of people drove out from Chapel Hill to see the lake at its full size. Also mentions: Morgan's CreekThe Chapel Hill Weekly, October 21, 1932, p. 1
  6. Chapel Hill building for 1932 is put at $205,000, most of it the University Lake dam H. D. Carter's year-end survey put building in and around Chapel Hill in 1932 at $205,000, of which $180,000 went into the University's dam west of Carrboro, built largely by Chapel Hill men. New houses went up for D. D. Carroll, Mary Graves Rees and six others; the totals for 1929, 1930 and 1931 had been $750,000, $484,000 and $297,000. People: H. D. Carter Also named: D. D. Carroll, Mary Graves ReesSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, December 16, 1932, p. 1
  7. The Battle Park Association incorporates and takes charge of the University Lake grounds The Battle Park Association, led by Colonel Joseph Hyde Pratt, was incorporated, and the University trustees put it in charge of both Battle Park and the land around the new University Lake. The Weekly reported that since 1931 the group had opened nearly six miles of trails, built eight footbridges and a pavilion, and laid out three picnic grounds in the park. People: Joseph Hyde Pratt, James Bell BullittSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 26, 1933, p. 1
  8. Federal relief workers clear a public picnic ground below the University Lake dam Men paid from federal relief funds cleared two or three acres of thick woods along the stream below the University Lake dam, about two miles west of Chapel Hill, into a free picnic ground with tables, benches from the old Memorial Hall, a playground and a footbridge laid on rails discarded from the railroad at Carrboro. The Battle Park Association, newly in charge of the lake grounds, ran motorboat rides at 10 cents to pay for more improvements. People: William Chambers Coker, John S. Bennett Also mentions: Memorial HallThe Chapel Hill Weekly, June 2, 1933, p. 1
  9. A dry September leaves University Lake below its spillway Only 0.77 inch of rain fell in Chapel Hill in September 1933, on three days, and by mid-October no water ran over the University Lake dam, though the supply held. Late gardens and flowers suffered; the Weekly credited the new reservoir with keeping the town supplied.The Chapel Hill Weekly, October 13, 1933, p. 1
  10. Federal orders cut Orange County's Civil Works force in half On February 22 county administrator George H. Lawrence had to lay off 180 Civil Works men on telegraphed orders from Raleigh, and 211 more the next week, shrinking the county's force from 766 to 375 in nine days. County road and school projects, ditching in Hillsboro and a planned municipal swimming pool at University Lake were dropped, while the Chapel Hill streets, University grounds and the Hillsboro courthouse and library went on. People: George H. Lawrence Also mentions: Chapel Hill streetsSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, February 23, 1934, p. 1
  11. Civilian Conservation Corps men build a trail and plant 80,000 trees around University Lake A platoon of about 25 men from the CCC camp in Durham County began cutting a six-foot woods trail around University Lake early in 1934, laid out by botanist H. R. Totten for the University grounds committee. By late April the trail ran about five miles, with bridges over Price's Creek and Mill Branch, and the men had nearly finished planting 80,000 young pines and hardwoods on the slopes around the lake. People: Henry Roland Totten, William Chambers CokerSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, April 27, 1934, p. 1
  12. Pilot I. M. Tull opens the University Airport on the Ray farm Ousted from Charles Martindale's Chapel Hill airport when Martindale gave G. N. Pickell exclusive rights there, pilot I. M. Tull opened his own field on the Ray family's farm on the Antioch road about half a mile west of University Lake, clearing trees, piping a ditch and marking it with a wind sock and a white circle. Chapel Hill thus had two airports, with flying announced at both for April 29. Also named: I. M. Tull, Charles Martindale, G. N. PickellThe Chapel Hill Weekly, April 27, 1934, p. 1
Show all 89 dated events
  1. The park below the University Lake dam opens as a public recreation ground The state board of health had closed the picnic ground below the dam for want of sanitary facilities. With $250 from the Chapel Hill Movie Guild, private gifts and Emergency Relief labor, the town built two bath-houses and a septic tank and hired a caretaker-lifeguard, and the University turned the three-acre park over to the town for Chapel Hill and Carrboro. People: Brodie Thompson, George H. Lawrence, Peter L. Burch, Carl T. DurhamThe Chapel Hill Weekly, June 22, 1934, p. 1
  2. University Lake opens to fishermen for the first time After two years of stocking with 40,000 to 50,000 bream, bass, crappie and other fish, University Lake was opened for a two-week trial season that drew about 200 anglers, under rules on permits, boats and catch limits enforced by a lake warden. The best bass weighed about four pounds. People: John S. BennettThe Chapel Hill Weekly, June 28, 1935, p. 6 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, July 12, 1935, p. 1
  3. University Lake opens to anglers for a season-long fishing year On Monday, May 11, 1936 University Lake opened for fishing every day but Sunday through the summer and fall, under rules set on May 1 by the new Izaak Walton Club of Chapel Hill with J. S. Bennett of the Consolidated Service Plants: fishing only from boats, permits at 50 cents a half-day, catch and size limits, and a warden at the dock. After two visitors from Greensboro landed seven large bass on opening day, the club's executive committee cut the daily bass limit from four to two. People: John S. BennettThe Chapel Hill Weekly, May 15, 1936, p. 1
  4. The picnic ground and swimming pool below the University Lake dam are rebuilt By May 22, 1936 the Consolidated Service Plants had readied the picnic ground below the University Lake dam: the footbridge was propped with an iron column and given rock abutments, a rock wall was built against the eroded bank of the swimming pool, and a dressing room for swimmers was finished. To build the wall a temporary barrier was set on the spillway and the pool pumped dry, with a crew working all one night; the walkway over the dam was closed as unsafe for small children. People: John S. Bennett, Peter L. BurchThe Chapel Hill Weekly, May 22, 1936, p. 1
  5. The Agriculture Department photographs the farms around University Lake from the air The U.S. Department of Agriculture chose a 20-square-mile area just west of Chapel Hill, around University Lake, for an experiment in aerial map-making, photographing it from about 20,000 feet so that farmers could trace their fields and compliance supervisors could check acreage under the federal soil conservation program. If the trial worked, whole counties were to be photographed instead of surveyed field by field.Search the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 14, 1937, p. 1
  6. Durham Hosiery Mills gives its Carrboro playground equipment to the University Lake picnic ground William F. Carr, for the Durham Hosiery Mills, gave the playground equipment the company had in Carrboro to the picnic ground below the University Lake dam. The aldermen's committee for the ground, E. C. Smith and P. L. Burch, asked Chapel Hill and Carrboro for money to hire a custodian; the University had walled the pool and the Movie Guild and others had paid for dressing rooms. People: Peter L. Burch, E. Carrington Smith Also named: William F. CarrSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, June 2, 1939, p. 1
  7. The D.A.R. dedicates a marker at Matthew McCauley's grave beside University Lake The Davie Poplar Chapter of the D.A.R. unveiled a marker at the grave of Matthew McCauley, Revolutionary patriot and one of the donors of the land on which the University stands, in the old McCauley family cemetery beside University Lake. President Frank Graham made the principal address. People: Matthew McCauley, Frank Porter Graham Also named: Frank GrahamSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, July 21, 1939, p. 5
  8. UNC geologists find 22 acre-feet of soil washing into University Lake each year A survey by F. C. Erickson and W. H. Levitt of the UNC geology department, reported in October 1939, found that about 22 acre-feet of topsoil, some 315 freight carloads, washed into University Lake each year from its 27-square-mile basin, enough to threaten the Chapel Hill-Carrboro water supply in about 78 years. They blamed poor tillage: only 5 percent of the basin's farmers rotated crops properly and 31 percent of its farms had no erosion control. Also named: F. C. Erickson, W. H. LevittThe Chapel Hill Weekly, October 27, 1939, p. 3
  9. Soil Conservation Service reports on erosion in the University Lake watershed The federal Soil Conservation Service released a report on the soils, farming and erosion of the University Lake watershed, warning that silt settling on the lake bottom was cutting the storage of the reservoir that supplied Chapel Hill and Carrboro and urging soil conservation and reforestation. It was to go free, with a large-scale soil and slope map, to every farmer in the watershed. People: Don S. Matheson Also mentions: University Lake watershedThe Chapel Hill Weekly, May 10, 1940, p. 1
  10. The University contracts for a new water line from University Lake The University let a contract of about $60,000 to William Muirhead of Durham for a second 12-inch line of concrete-and-asbestos transite pipe from University Lake to the campus filter, a new pump and an addition to the lake pump house, doubling capacity to two million gallons a day. The Weekly noted that in June the community had come within twenty minutes of running out of water and that more storage would be the next need. People: William MuirheadThe Chapel Hill Weekly, September 25, 1942, p. 1
  11. University Lake reopens to fishing for the first time since Pearl Harbor With federal permission the University opened University Lake and the pool below the dam to identified anglers on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons. The area had been closed to the public since Pearl Harbor under orders to guard water supplies; fishermen needed an identification card from the police chief.The Chapel Hill Weekly, June 4, 1943, p. 1
  12. The University lays a new water main from University Lake A new pipe line was laid to bring more water from University Lake; diggers near Phillips Hall uncovered a wood-covered steam line put down in August 1901. Late in August the Weekly reported that wartime demand left the filters and storage only a narrow margin and that a new filter might be built. Also mentions: Phillips HallThe Chapel Hill Weekly, August 6, 1943, p. 1
  13. The State Highway Commission takes several Orange County roads into the state system The State Highway and Public Works Commission approved the American Legion Road near Mebane, the Duncan Road, the Old Durham Road, a mile of the Bryant Bradshaw Road and half a mile of the Torian Road for state maintenance, the county commissioners learned. It turned down the McClamroch Road near University Lake as not worth the expense for now.Search the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), March 10, 1949, p. 1
  14. University Lake's spillway is partly filled to raise the lake a foot To add storage for the growing demands of the University, Chapel Hill and Carrboro, the main spillway of University Lake was partly filled to raise the water a foot. A 1955 account noted that silt had cut the Morgan Creek inlet from six or seven feet deep to two or three since about 1948.The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), September 29, 1955, p. 8
  15. A Chapel Hill fireman builds what the paper calls the area's first family storm and bomb shelter A Chapel Hill fireman, spurred by Hurricane Hazel, built a 12-by-12-foot masonry shelter with a six-inch concrete roof under earth below his farmhouse near University Lake, the first such shelter hereabouts so far as the paper knew. His children spent much of two days in it as Hurricane Connie approached.Search the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), August 18, 1955, p. 8
  16. County commissioners let the Ridgewood Mobile Home Park grow on the University Lake watershed The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved expanding the Ridgewood Mobile Home Park on the watershed of University Lake from five acres and 18 trailers to 20 acres and 60. A state sanitary official and Professor Daniel Okun of UNC's sanitary engineering department had warned that its septic tanks would foul the Chapel Hill-Carrboro water supply, but Dr. David Garvin of the district health department approved the request; a critic's letter to the paper said chairman Harvey Bennett cast the deciding vote. People: Harvey Bennett Also named: David Garvin, Daniel OkunThe Daily Tar Heel, May 8, 1968, p. 1
  17. Chapel Hill aldermen ask the county for one-house-an-acre zoning on the University Lake watershed The night they adopted the open housing ordinance, the aldermen approved a memorandum for a resolution asking the county commissioners to create a residential district on the watershed allowing no more than one dwelling an acre unless it was served by a public sewer, and to extend county zoning to the part of Bingham Township inside the watershed. The request followed a week of dispute over the Ridgewood trailer park.The Daily Tar Heel, May 15, 1968, p. 6
  18. Drought drops University Lake to a sixth of its capacity, and Chapel Hill bans lawn watering and car washing After a dry summer, University Lake fell below its 1954 drought low on September 20, and by October 1 it was at its lowest since it was built in 1930; on October 3 it held about 100 million of its 600 million gallons. The university spent about $100,000 on a pipe to Durham's water system, begun October 1, and bought Durham water, which began flowing on October 27. On October 3 the aldermen made lawn watering, car washing and water-cooled air conditioning an offense carrying a $50 fine, and the university suspended physical education classes amid concern that classes would be suspended. The university resumed its programs on November 11, and lake levels were back to normal by the end of 1969. People: J. Carlyle SittersonCarolina Story, Virtual Museum of University History (UNC): Droughts, 1960s-1970s · Also: The Daily Tar Heel, September 21, 1968, p. 1; The Daily Tar Heel, October 2, 1968, p. 1; The Daily Tar Heel, October 4, 1968, p. 1; The Daily Tar Heel, October 29, 1968, p. 5; The Daily Tar Heel, November 12, 1968, p. 1
  19. Hurricane Gladys's rains ease the Chapel Hill water crisis Rain from Hurricane Gladys, beginning Friday night, totaled 3.96 inches by Sunday night and raised University Lake from an all-time low of 99 inches below its spillway to 83 inches below. Utilities director Grey Culbreth said the storm gave the community about three more weeks of water, though the dry ground soaked up most of the runoff and conservation went on. Also named: Grey CulbrethThe Daily Tar Heel, October 22, 1968, p. 1
  20. Engineering study for UNC recommends a reservoir on Cane Creek After the 1968 drought left University Lake dangerously low, a study sponsored by the University of North Carolina and conducted by the engineering firm Hazen and Sawyer recommended damming Cane Creek. The Haw River, the proposed Jordan reservoir, an enlarged University Lake and the Eno were among the alternatives set aside. People: Daniel A. OkunCaselaw Access Project: In re Appeal from Environmental Management Commission, 53 N.C. App. 135 (1981)
  21. Winter rains refill University Lake after the 1968 drought December and January rains filled University Lake to capacity, ending the shortage that had brought talk the previous fall of closing the University. A month earlier water plant director Grey Culbreth had said a consulting study would look for supplies to last 25 to 30 years. Also named: Grey CulbrethThe Daily Tar Heel, February 12, 1969, p. 1
  22. A two-foot addition to the University Lake dam is finished Workers completed a two-foot addition to the University Lake dam in early September, raising the reservoir's capacity from about 600 million to 750 million gallons; it followed the 1968 drought, when the lake fell 96 inches.The Daily Tar Heel, September 25, 1970, p. 1
  23. The University starts piping water from Durham as University Lake falls With a month without rain and University Lake 41 inches below normal, the University began buying two million gallons a day from Durham's Mickey Lake through the emergency pipeline built in 1968, a third to half of the area's daily use, at 43 cents per thousand gallons. Officials said the lake plus Durham water would last into January.The Daily Tar Heel, September 24, 1970, p. 1
  24. Carrboro's planning and zoning district reaches University Lake on Jones Ferry Road By 1971 Carrboro's planning and zoning district ran west along Jones Ferry Road to its outer edge where the road crosses an arm of University Lake, the area's water reservoir. Also mentions: Jones Ferry RoadSearch the index · North Carolina Division of Community Services, Beautification Survey and Program, Carrboro, North Carolina (1971), scan p. 15
  25. University cuts beetle-infested pines in Battle Park and on its outlying land On August 28 the University began cutting seven or eight acres of pines in Battle Park, at University Lake and at Horace Williams Airport to contain the southern pine beetle, which had spread across Orange County that summer, and sold the timber. County forester Larry Allen's aerial surveys found about 30 patches of serious damage, up from one seven weeks before, and he blamed a warm winter, old pines and new construction. Also named: Larry Allen · Also mentions: Horace Williams AirportSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 2, 1972, p. 2
  26. Orange County planning boards and officials meet on the University Lake watershed Planning boards and elected officials from across Orange County met at the Carrboro Town Hall on September 20, 1973, on growth around the University area. They heard warnings that dense building on the University Lake watershed would pollute it from septic tanks, calls for compatible zoning among jurisdictions, a water study naming Cane Creek, piped along N.C. 54, as the best supplement to University Lake, and a suggestion to turn the landfill into a recycling site. Also mentions: N.C. 54, University Lake watershedThe Daily Tar Heel, September 22, 1973, p. 2
  27. Durham begins piping water to Chapel Hill as University Lake falls With no rain and the University water plant at 59 percent of capacity, UNC utilities director Grey Culbreth asked the Durham City Council for up to 2 million gallons a day through the pipeline built after the 1968 drought, and by October 29 Durham water was flowing under an agreement costing about $900. University Lake stood five feet below normal, and the Triangle J Council was studying Cane Creek as a future source. Also named: Grey CulbrethThe Daily Tar Heel, October 29, 1973, p. 2
  28. Cane Creek is chosen as the site of a new reservoir and area landowners organize against it A consultant's feasibility study concluded that Cane Creek, west of Carrboro, was the best site for a reservoir to supplement University Lake. The new Orange Water and Sewer Authority approved Cane Creek as the site in late August 1976 and began assembling land there. Cane Creek residents and farmers, who by the Daily Tar Heel's later account had been fighting the reservoir since October 1976, formed a conservation group and fought the project in court for years, arguing that it would destroy farms and hasten the decline of agriculture and that expanding University Lake had not been properly considered. People: Daniel A. Okun Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityANCHOR, A North Carolina History Online Resource: Cane Creek Reservoir · Also: The Daily Tar Heel, August 30, 1976, p. 16; The Daily Tar Heel, August 31, 1976, p. 1; The Daily Tar Heel, October 11, 1976, p. 3; The Daily Tar Heel, March 21, 1979, p. 1
  29. University finds less than half of University Lake's usable water left Chancellor Ferebee Taylor released a University utilities study finding that Chapel Hill had 248 million gallons of usable water left in University Lake, 47.5 per cent of the supply, and that the full lake held 670 million gallons rather than the 700 million long assumed, only 523 million of it usable. With no rain and no water from Durham the supply would last 59 days; with three million gallons a day from Durham, 207 days. People: N. Ferebee Taylor Also named: Ferebee Taylor · Also mentions: University utilitiesThe Daily Tar Heel, October 6, 1976, p. 3
  30. UNC trustees approve a Cane Creek pipeline on OWASA's recommendation With University Lake 64 inches below capacity, the UNC Board of Trustees approved an $824,450 pipeline and small temporary dam to draw water from Cane Creek, described as a step toward the planned reservoir. OWASA, due to take over the University water system in January 1977, recommended the Cane Creek project over alternatives that included pumping raw water from the Haw River to a treatment plant.The Daily Tar Heel: Board of Trustees approve $824,000 pipeline from Cane Creek, October 11, 1976
  31. Chapel Hill's water restrictions end as rain refills University Lake The mandatory water-conservation rules in force since August 18 were lifted effective December 12, ending what the Daily Tar Heel called the worst water shortage in Chapel Hill history. By mid-January University Lake was running over its dam; during the drought the University had bought about two million gallons a day from Durham, from midsummer until December 17.The Daily Tar Heel, January 14, 1977, p. 1
  32. OWASA reopens its study of enlarging University Lake at the Cane Creek farmers' request Though it had chosen Cane Creek for a second reservoir, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority reactivated studies of raising the University Lake dam at the request of the Cane Creek Conservation Authority, while continuing its field surveys at Cane Creek. The farmers' attorney said raising the dam 22 feet would store as much water as the Cane Creek project.The Daily Tar Heel, January 17, 1977, p. 2
  33. OWASA presses on with its Cane Creek reservoir survey over landowners' objections The Orange Water and Sewer Authority went ahead with surveying and final planning for the proposed Cane Creek reservoir, taking no action on Cane Creek landowners' request that an anonymous consultant review figures from its engineers, Hazen and Sawyer. Authority member Shirley Marshall called the request a delaying tactic and said the landowners had also refused to let surveyors onto their land; the landowners proposed enlarging University Lake instead, which Marshall said would cost too much and not solve Chapel Hill's water problems. Also named: Shirley Marshall · Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, March 15, 1977, p. 2
  34. OWASA turns to Durham for water as University Lake falls With University Lake 40 inches below its normal level, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority asked Durham to sell water to Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and the Durham City Council agreed 8-4, adding a surcharge when its own demand ran high. By late August Chapel Hill was buying about 3.7 million gallons a day through the two pipelines from Durham. Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, July 14, 1977, p. 11
  35. Stage-three water restrictions take effect as University Lake drops When University Lake fell 72 inches below its crest, OWASA's conservation plan moved to stage three and the Chapel Hill and Carrboro boards enacted mandatory limits: no lawn watering or car washing, garden watering only Saturday evenings, water in restaurants only on request, and pool flows cut to the minimum, with violations a misdemeanor.The Daily Tar Heel, September 9, 1977, p. 7
  36. Chapel Hill and Carrboro end their mandatory water restrictions Chapel Hill Mayor Jim Wallace and Carrboro Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Foushee lifted the towns' mandatory water restrictions at noon after 94 days, at the request of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, once late-October rains raised University Lake above its conservation level. The towns kept a request for voluntary conservation, which Wallace lifted by proclamation on November 9. People: Braxton Foushee Also named: Jim Wallace · Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, October 31, 1977, p. 1
  37. OWASA leases a stone quarry on N.C. 54 as a reserve water supply The Orange Water and Sewer Authority leased a stone quarry site on N.C. 54 with an option to buy, as insurance against drought; Phils Creek would fill it in wet weather and its water could be pumped back toward University Lake. OWASA had two years to learn whether the quarry would hold at least 200 million gallons before buying it. Also mentions: N.C. 54The Daily Tar Heel, August 27, 1979, p. 15
  38. EPA gives conditional approval to the Cane Creek reservoir impact statement In a September 15 letter to the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rated the Corps' draft environmental impact statement on OWASA's proposed Cane Creek Reservoir ER-2, meaning significant environmental reservations, and listed 21 points. Among them it asked for a wildlife mitigation plan for expanding University Lake, more attention to the public health effects of drinking impure water, and documentation of industries upstream of Jordan Lake that did not meet pollution standards.The Daily Tar Heel, September 23, 1980, p. 2
  39. University Lake falls to its lowest level of 1980 University Lake fell to 39.5 inches below full, its lowest of the year, and OWASA announced it would begin pumping water from its quarry reservoir off N.C. 54 unless rain came, a plan it shelved after rain on September 29 and 30. Also mentions: N.C. 54The Daily Tar Heel, October 1, 1980, p. 2
  40. With University Lake four feet low, OWASA starts drawing water from its quarry reservoir With University Lake four feet below normal in the fall drought of 1980, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority began on October 23 to supplement it with water from its quarry reservoir, the former American Stone Quarry off N.C. 54. By mid-November the lake was more than five feet down, the quarry supplied up to a third of Chapel Hill's water, and OWASA was buying water from Hillsborough at about $13,500 a month while asking residents to conserve. Also mentions: N.C. 54, Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, October 23, 1980, p. 2
  41. OWASA stops buying water from Hillsborough as rain eases the 1980 shortage Recent rain let the Orange Water and Sewer Authority stop buying water from the town of Hillsborough, though University Lake was still 36 inches below normal and OWASA kept asking customers to conserve. The lake had fallen 60 inches below normal in November, OWASA was pumping about two million gallons a day from its stone quarry reservoir into the lake, and Mayors Joe Nassif and Bob Drakeford and the county commissioners had issued proclamations urging conservation. Also named: Joe Nassif, Bob DrakefordThe Daily Tar Heel, December 2, 1980, p. 3
  42. Carrboro aldermen approve a subdivision near University Lake over objections about runoff With Mayor Robert Drakeford breaking ties on almost every vote, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen granted a conditional use permit for the seven-lot second phase of the Mt. Carmel Springs subdivision near University Lake. Aldermen Steve Rose, Nancy White and Doug Sharer wanted it denied because the lots would drain into the lake and contaminate the water; the permit required building 500 feet from the lake, a homeowners' association and county health department approval of wells and septic tanks. Also named: Robert Drakeford, Steve Rose, Nancy White, Doug SharerSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 26, 1981, p. 3
  43. University Lake falls 14 inches in the driest spring on record University Lake stood 14 inches low after the driest first four months on its records, and OWASA was filtering a million gallons a day from Hillsborough. June 1981 was the driest June in state records since 1885 and drew 50 million gallons from the lake before July rains refilled it.The Daily Tar Heel, May 28, 1981, p. 4
  44. County commissioners restrict new subdivisions in the University Lake watershed In August 1981 the Orange County commissioners placed a restriction on new subdivisions in the University Lake watershed, which covers parts of Chapel Hill and Bingham townships. The Daily Tar Heel reported it in November 1981, when the board extended a similar ban to the Upper Eno watershed. Also mentions: Chapel Hill and Bingham townshipsThe Daily Tar Heel, November 23, 1981, p. 3
  45. OWASA's board delays higher University Lake fees for the UNC crew and sailing clubs The Orange Water and Sewer Authority board voted unanimously on November 19, 1981, to put off until December a proposed increase in University Lake fees for the UNC Crew and Sailing clubs, to $15 a boat and $5 a member each semester, until students were heard. The Sailing Club had brought a petition with more than 350 signatures.The Daily Tar Heel, November 23, 1981, p. 2
  46. Fire destroys a 20-unit building at University Lake Apartments in Carrboro A fire in December 1981 at the University Lake apartment complex in Carrboro caused an estimated $145,000 in damage and, with water from melted pipes, ruined all 20 units in the building. Carrboro Fire Chief Robert Swiger blamed a short in the wiring, and with the nearest hydrant several hundred feet away at Carolina Apartments, tanker trucks from six fire departments had to supply water. Also named: Robert SwigerSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, January 20, 1982, p. 1
  47. State closes comments on the Cane Creek reservoir draft impact statement On June 1, 1982, the state Division of Environmental Management received the last responses to its draft environmental impact statement on OWASA's proposed 758-acre Cane Creek reservoir, which made no choice among water sources. Chapel Hill's mayor, the Triangle J Council of Governments and the Orange County commissioners backed Cane Creek as the cleanest source, while the Cane Creek Conservation Authority argued that Jordan Lake, the Haw River or a higher University Lake dam would do as well.The Daily Tar Heel, June 3, 1982, p. 5
  48. Carrboro appoints a water quality task force as its aldermen weigh opening the University Lake watershed to industry By February 18, 1983, Carrboro Town Manager Richard Hunter had appointed a Carrboro Water Quality Task Force to study how rezoning part of the University Lake watershed for industry, a proposal then before the Board of Aldermen, would affect the air and water supply of Carrboro and Chapel Hill. OWASA's Everett Billingsley called its report progressive and noted that only about 9 percent of the 30-square-mile watershed lay in Carrboro's planning jurisdiction, 8 percent in Chatham County and the rest under Orange County. Also named: Richard Hunter, Everett BillingsleyThe Daily Tar Heel, February 18, 1983, p. 3
  49. Carrboro puts Stage One water conservation into effect as University Lake falls Carrboro Mayor Robert Drakeford put the town's Stage One water conservation measures into effect on August 22, 1983, as its ordinance allowed once University Lake fell 36 inches below full. By August 26 the lake was 42 inches down after a July with 1.10 inches of rain, and OWASA director Everett Billingsley asked customers, the University and returning students to hold showers to four minutes, run fewer washing machines and dishwashers and stop washing cars. Also named: Robert Drakeford, Everett BillingsleyThe Daily Tar Heel, August 29, 1983, p. 2
  50. Carrboro aldermen amend the land use ordinance to protect University Lake After a public hearing attended by about 80 people on September 13, 1983, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to amend the town's Land Use Ordinance to protect the water of University Lake, the main water source for Chapel Hill and Carrboro, about 70 percent of whose shoreline lay in Carrboro's jurisdiction. The amendments, the result of a two-and-a-half-year study by the Carrboro Water Quality Task Force chaired by Alderman Steve Rose, graduated residential density, rezoned the watershed district, kept natural buffers, limited paved surfaces, defined hazardous substances and required sediment and erosion control. People: Joe Straley Also named: Steve RoseThe Daily Tar Heel, September 15, 1983, p. 6
  51. OWASA declares the 1983 water shortage over On November 28, 1983, after Thanksgiving rains raised University Lake 30 inches to half an inch above full, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority decided to ask Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County officials to lift the voluntary conservation measures in effect since October 25. The three-month shortage had brought voluntary measures on August 22 and mandatory restrictions on September 6, and OWASA's Pat Davis said it might have been the area's fourth worst, after 1967, 1976 and 1977. Also named: Pat Davis · Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, November 29, 1983, p. 3
  52. OWASA buys water from Hillsborough as students return and a dry spell sets in Rising use by returning students and a spell of dry weather led the Orange Water and Sewer Authority to buy water from the town of Hillsborough, though University Lake stood only 10.5 inches below full against 40 inches a year earlier. UNC reported its own use down four million gallons from mid-July to mid-August after installing water-saving shower heads and digging wells for laundry and irrigation.The Daily Tar Heel, August 30, 1984, p. 3
  53. Orange County commissioners take comment on water quality critical areas for the University Lake and Cane Creek watersheds At a public hearing in Hillsborough on November 5, 1984, the Orange County Board of Commissioners took comment on designating 'water quality critical' areas totaling over 6,500 acres in the University Lake and proposed Cane Creek watersheds, where development standards would protect existing and planned water supplies; the hearing was held open a week for more comment. Everett Billingsley, executive director of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, said OWASA backed the designation but found the boundaries too small and the standards too weak, and opposed any industrial development in the watersheds. Also named: Everett BillingsleyThe Daily Tar Heel, November 8, 1984, p. 3
  54. OWASA asks customers to begin stage-one water conservation With little summer rain, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority asked the public to follow its first stage of conservation, voluntary limits such as watering lawns only when needed and shortening showers. University Lake had stood about 39 inches below normal the week before; rain from Hurricane Bob raised it about 9 inches. Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, August 1, 1985, p. 3
  55. November rains put Morgan Creek out of its banks and refill University Lake About 2.5 inches of rain fell in 24 hours from Tuesday morning, bringing November's total to some 8.3 inches; Morgan Creek left its banks, leaves briefly blocked drains at Slug's restaurant on N.C. 54, and flood warnings were issued for the Triangle. University Lake, 39 inches below full at the start of the month, rose to 7.25 inches above full, and OWASA expected no serious problems. Also mentions: N.C. 54The Daily Tar Heel, November 22, 1985, p. 3
  56. OWASA imposes mandatory water restrictions as drought drains University Lake With University Lake 44 inches below full in the driest season since 1890, OWASA moved from voluntary to mandatory conservation, banning car washing, filling new pools and serving water in restaurants unasked, and limiting lawn watering by hand to three hours on Saturday or Sunday mornings by side of town. Violators faced a $50 fine or 30 days and loss of service.The Daily Tar Heel, July 17, 1986, p. 2
  57. A day of heavy rain floods parts of Chapel Hill and lifts University Lake after the drought About 2.3 inches of rain fell on Chapel Hill on August 20, raising University Lake eight inches in three hours, from 37.5 to 29.75 inches below full, and flooding the grounds of Brookwood Condominiums. OWASA kept its mandatory restrictions, noting rainfall for the year was 12 inches below normal.The Daily Tar Heel, August 21, 1986, p. 3
  58. Mandatory water restrictions end in Chapel Hill as University Lake recovers On OWASA's recommendation, voluntary conservation replaced the mandatory water restrictions of the summer drought. University Lake, the towns' main supply, had fallen to 51 inches below full on August 11, its lowest point of the year, and stood about 28 inches below full after August rains, water bought from Butner and conservation by residents and the University; the Stone Quarry and Cane Creek reserves were still well down.The Daily Tar Heel, September 15, 1986, p. 4
  59. Carrboro hosts a joint meeting on University Lake watershed development Officials of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Orange County and OWASA met over dinner at the Hotel Europa to discuss development in the University Lake watershed, where the Carrboro aldermen and the developers of the 197-acre Amberly subdivision wanted water and sewer lines extended. County and Chapel Hill officials wanted a water-quality study first, and OWASA said it had no policy yet either way and scheduled a public meeting at Carrboro Town Hall for October 9. Also mentions: Carrboro Town Hall, University Lake watershedThe Daily Tar Heel, October 9, 1986, p. 3
  60. OWASA calls again for mandatory water restrictions With University Lake 51 inches below full after months with little rain, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority asked Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County and its Durham County customers to reimpose mandatory, stage-two restrictions, which banned watering lawns and gardens and washing cars; the paper put the lake's level the week before at a record 55 inches below full. The service area had been under restrictions from mid-July until September 3, and OWASA was negotiating to bring water from Lake Holt in Butner through Durham's system. Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, October 17, 1986, p. 1
  61. Carrboro Board of Aldermen sets new building densities in the University Lake watershed By a 5-2 vote the Carrboro Board of Aldermen cut the permitted density on land within 300 feet of the watershed to one unit per two acres, allowed water and sewer lines to replace septic tanks and to cross streams and buffers, and gave the town control over where buildings, roads and roofs could go. Mayor James Porto Jr. said the rules would push cluster development out of the sensitive area; residents and Chapel Hill officials said Carrboro should have waited for an OWASA watershed study and a joint policy, and a work session of the three governments on November 17 made little progress. Also named: James Porto Jr.The Daily Tar Heel, November 17, 1986, p. 2
  62. OWASA lifts all water-use restrictions after the 1986 drought With University Lake still 22 inches below full, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority rescinded all water-use restrictions, ending the curbs it had reimposed on Oct. 16 when the lake fell 55 inches below full in a six-month drought. December rain, lower use and water from Lake Holt in Butner had the lake full again by early January.The Daily Tar Heel, January 7, 1987, p. 4
  63. Carrboro aldermen endorse joint planning for the University Lake watershed The Carrboro Board of Aldermen unanimously approved resolutions from the Joint Planning Watershed Committee calling for Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County to plan together for the University Lake watershed, with no annexation of watershed land until OWASA finished its study of how much development the watershed could carry. The 13 points also asked Carrboro to hold off setting housing densities there and proposed joint zoning along part of the Carrboro-Chapel Hill boundary, and the county commissioners were to take them up at a Feb. 23 hearing. Also mentions: University Lake watershedThe Daily Tar Heel, January 29, 1987, p. 3
  64. OWASA halts new water and sewer lines into the University Lake watershed In response to the Amberly developer's request for service, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority imposed a moratorium on extending water and sewer lines into the University Lake watershed, to last until its watershed study was finished or two years had passed. Carrboro Mayor Jim Porto later objected that OWASA already ran lines into the watershed as far as Carrboro Community Park and had approved more than 100 requests for service there. Also named: Jim Porto · Also mentions: Carrboro Community Park, Orange Water and Sewer Authority, University Lake watershedThe Daily Tar Heel, September 28, 1987, p. 4
  65. Carrboro aldermen annex and zone the Amberly subdivision in the University Lake watershed The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted to annex and zone 144 acres for the Amberly subdivision, about 150 single-family houses proposed in the University Lake watershed, the water supply for Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and granted it a conditional-use permit. Mayor Jim Porto later said the developer had met the town's watershed rules, one unit per two acres and houses kept away from streams, and that Amberly was the first development Carrboro had approved on its part of the watershed; alderman Judith Wegner voted against it. Also named: Jim Porto, Judith Wegner · Also mentions: University Lake watershedThe Daily Tar Heel, September 18, 1987, p. 1
  66. OWASA moves to hire consultants for a University Lake watershed study The Orange Water and Sewer Authority board authorized contract negotiations with Camp, Dresser and McKee, whose proposal put the cost at $80,000 to $100,000, for a study of how development affects water quality in the University Lake watershed, choosing it over a joint proposal from Limno-Tech Inc. and the Research Triangle Institute. The study, expected to take about a year, grew out of the dispute over the Amberly subdivision; OWASA had also declined to supply fire-protection water to Amberly.The Daily Tar Heel, September 28, 1987, p. 4
  67. OWASA lifts voluntary water conservation after rains refill the lakes After a week of rain raised University Lake about 17 inches and Cane Creek about 24 inches, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority lifted the voluntary conservation measures it had asked of its customers. Since mid-August OWASA had again been buying Durham water piped through the old Butner line, as it had in the 1986 drought, and it planned to keep doing so until the lakes were back to normal. Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, September 11, 1987, p. 1
  68. OWASA turns down water and sewer requests for the Amberly subdivision in the University Lake watershed The Orange Water and Sewer Authority board voted unanimously to deny the developer's two requests, for an on-site sewer system and for fire hydrants, for the proposed 158-unit Amberly project, upholding its June 1987 moratorium on extending utilities into the University Lake watershed until a $135,000 water-quality study was done. Four Carrboro residents had urged the board to protect the lake, which supplied about 55,000 people in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and the county. Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthoritySearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, October 26, 1987, p. 3
  69. Orange County commissioners authorize legal action against an unpermitted landfill in the University Lake watershed The commissioners authorized county attorney Geoff Gledhill to act against a privately run dump on Jo Mac Road, about five miles west of Carrboro, that had taken construction debris, stumps and some junk cars for about five years without a special-use permit. The county had already issued a stop-work order, feared harm to University Lake, the water supply for about 55,000 people, and planned to seek an injunction if the dumping went on. Also named: Geoff GledhillThe Daily Tar Heel, October 13, 1987, p. 3
  70. OWASA's consultant urges lower densities and no package sewage plants in the University Lake watershed A draft University Lake water quality study by the firm Camp, Dresser and McKee for the Orange Water and Sewer Authority recommended that Carrboro bar development in the watershed denser than one unit per two acres and ban package wastewater treatment plants there. The draft became the basis of Carrboro's and OWASA's objections to the Amberly subdivision, planned at one unit per 1.3 acres. Also mentions: Orange Water and Sewer AuthorityThe Daily Tar Heel, February 6, 1989, p. 4
  71. Winter rains refill University Lake and raise the new Cane Creek Reservoir After a dry January, rains brought University Lake from 24.5 inches below normal on February 18 to 6.75 inches over its spillway by February 22 and filled the American Stone Quarry, and the new Cane Creek Reservoir, to hold 3 billion gallons and become OWASA's main supply, rose from 378 inches below capacity on February 10 to 192 inches below on February 27, its pipeline to the treatment plant still out for bids.The Daily Tar Heel, March 1, 1989, p. 4
  72. Landowners object to University Lake watershed limits at a county meeting At an Orange County meeting at Phillips Junior High on January 30, 1990, landowners in the University Lake watershed objected to proposals allowing one building per five acres and 4 percent impervious surface, and asked how they would be paid for lost development. OWASA's consultants, Camp, Dresser & McKee, reported the lake's nutrient enrichment about 80 percent worse than nearby sources, and Judith Wegner presented a joint committee's 13 recommendations ahead of a February 28 joint hearing. Also named: Judith WegnerThe Daily Tar Heel, January 31, 1990, p. 3
  73. Orange County commissioners amend the interim University Lake watershed lot rule The Orange County Board of Commissioners amended its interim rule for the University Lake watershed so that people who owned land there on Oct. 1 could split off up to five two-acre lots, with the rest held to a five-acre minimum. The interim rule ran to April 2, and the board sent two engineering options for permanent standards to a Feb. 28 public hearing.The Daily Tar Heel, February 8, 1990, p. 4
  74. About 300 people turn out for a public hearing on University Lake watershed rules About 300 people filled Carrboro Elementary School for a hearing on proposed limits in the University Lake watershed, five-acre lots or two-acre lots with ponds to catch runoff, as recommended by the Raleigh firm Camp, Dresser and McKee. UNC engineering professor Daniel Okun defended protecting the drinking water source of about 55,000 people, while county commission candidate Richard Hammer argued treatment might do instead. Also named: Daniel Okun, Richard Hammer · Also mentions: University Lake watershedThe Daily Tar Heel, March 2, 1990, p. 3
  75. Orange County commissioners speak against the state's plan to widen N.C. 54 At a February 19, 1991, meeting with state transportation planners, the county commissioners opposed the Department of Transportation's $48 million plan to widen 20 miles of N.C. 54 from Interstates 85 and 40 at Burlington to the N.C. 54 Bypass in Carrboro, which the state's own study said would displace 96 homes and eight businesses and could affect the Cane Creek and University Lake watersheds. Commissioner Alice Gordon asked that the project be dropped from the state's improvement program; the Carrboro aldermen and the county planning board had already passed resolutions against it. Also named: Alice Gordon · Also mentions: N.C. 54Search the index · The Daily Tar Heel, February 21, 1991, p. 3
  76. OWASA closes University Lake to the public for dam improvements By April 27, 1993 OWASA had closed University Lake's boating and recreation to the public for the summer so it could strengthen the main dam to meet state rules for a 13-inch rain. The $1.1 million work, set for May to December, added tie-down anchors, raised a nearby knoll six feet and built a new warden station, docks and a gravel lot.The Daily Tar Heel, April 27, 1993, p. 4
  77. University Lake reopens after OWASA strengthens its dam By August 24 OWASA had reopened University Lake, its 205-acre reservoir off Jones Ferry Road near Carrboro, after closing it in late 1992 to raise and reinforce the dam to meet state dam safety rules. The work, which cost $1.3 million against an $850,000 estimate, bored steel rods into the concrete dam, raised the earthen dam about six feet and required a new warden's office, docks and boats, for which Carrboro issued a special use permit.Search the index · The Daily Tar Heel, August 24, 1994, p. 3

Maps of University Lake

Dated maps that show this place, oldest first: town plans, county, road and soil maps, fire insurance sheets and the U.S. Geological Survey’s topographic maps, each linked to the library or archive that holds it. The USGS maps are free to download.

  1. Map of Orange County UNC · a county map
  2. Map of Orange County, N.C. UNC · a county map
  3. A map of Orange County, N.C. UNC · a county map
  4. Soil map, North Carolina, Orange County sheet Duke · a county map
  5. School map, Orange County, North Carolina. UNC · a county map
  6. Map of Orange County, N.C. : 1939 UNC · a county map
  7. USGS topographic map, Chapel Hill quadrangle (1:24,000) U.S. Geological Survey (PDF)
  8. USGS topographic map, Chapel Hill quadrangle (1:31,680) U.S. Geological Survey (PDF)
  9. An atlas for Orange County, North Carolina UNC · a county map
  10. USGS topographic map, Chapel Hill quadrangle (1:24,000) U.S. Geological Survey (PDF)
  11. USGS topographic map, Chapel Hill quadrangle (1:24,000) U.S. Geological Survey (PDF)
  12. USGS topographic map, Chapel Hill quadrangle (1:24,000) U.S. Geological Survey (PDF)

Indexed works

Works about University Lake from library and archive catalogs. The most widely held appear first; novels are not shown here. Follow a link to find a copy or view the material.

Widely held

Oral history interview with Dr. Daniel Okun, October 22, 1985: Interview K-0021, Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007)

Okun, Daniel Alexander · 2004 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

The case for the Cane Creek Reservoir, made by Daniel A. Okun, professor of environmental engineering at UNC, in a Southern Oral History Program interview recorded October 22, 1985, by Laura Drey. Okun sets out why a new reservoir was needed in Orange County and answers the Cane Creek farmers' objections on water quality and watershed management. It pairs with interviews of opponents Bobby Kirk and Edward S. Johnson. Published online in 2004 by the UNC-Chapel Hill Library in Documenting the American South.

Included because: The record names this place alongside a heading for the county or its towns.

A pocket guide to University Lake

1997

A pocket guide to University Lake issued by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority in Carrboro, eleven unnumbered pages with illustrations and a map, 18 centimeters. Dated 1997, though one page carries the notation 7/84. The guide describes the lake as a water source for Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: University Lake (N.C.).

UNC

Sedimentation in University Lake, Orange County, North Carolina

Bisese, James A. · 1991

James A. Bisese's 1991 study of sedimentation in University Lake, the reservoir in southern Orange County. Topics include lake sediments at University Lake and the geology of the county. Folded plates are tucked into a pocket, and the bibliography runs from leaf 69 to leaf 75, which puts the text itself at roughly seventy leaves.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: University Lake (N.C.).

UNC

University Lake watershed study : final report

Camp, Dresser & McKee; Orange Water and Sewer Authority (N.C.) · 1989 · CDM

Final report of a watershed study of University Lake, the reservoir that supplies Chapel Hill and Carrboro, prepared for the Orange Water and Sewer Authority by the engineering firm Camp, Dresser and McKee and issued at Raleigh in March 1989. It covers water quality management, water supply and watershed management around the lake.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: University Lake Watershed (N.C.).

UNC

University Lake watershed study : final report, executive summary

Camp, Dresser & McKee; Orange Water and Sewer Authority (N.C.) · 1989 · CDM

Executive summary of the University Lake watershed study, the short version of the March 1989 final report that Camp, Dresser and McKee prepared for the Orange Water and Sewer Authority. It condenses the findings on water quality management, water supply and watershed management for the reservoir that serves Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: University Lake Watershed (N.C.).

UNC

University Lake watershed study : draft final report

Camp, Dresser & McKee; Orange Water and Sewer Authority (N.C.) · 1988 · CDM

Draft of the University Lake watershed study, dated December 1988 and circulated three months before the final report. Camp, Dresser and McKee prepared it for the Orange Water and Sewer Authority on the reservoir supplying Chapel Hill and Carrboro, with a bibliography of nine leaves.

Included because: Catalog heading in the UNC record: University Lake Watershed (N.C.).

UNC

Research sources

Sources and research tools for this place. Research guide: Research a neighborhood or rural community.

Historic sites, markers, and maps

Collections and databases

Local help

More to discover

Keep Reading Local

The Friends connect people with new library materials, local writers and publishers, and resources documenting Orange County.

Two mice reading back to back against a leaf, with the hand-lettered words Friends of the Orange County Public Library
Illustration by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell, gifted to the Friends 2026