Orange County NC Website
Y •'"FG <br /> ©RANGD CC)UNTY PLANNING DEPARTM,INT <br /> �a�x.s�ax�caxr��c <br /> NORTn eeROLINA. <br /> 27278 <br /> tr ax <br /> MEMO <br /> TO: 'Ken Thompson, County Manager <br /> FROM: 'Fred Luce, Planning <br /> DATE: September 29, 1982 <br /> RE: Evaluation of the Eno River Reservoir Site <br /> Historical-Resume <br /> For some years .it has been anticipated by the city of Durham <br /> that it would build an impoundment on the Eno River for water <br /> supply, near the site of the City's first falter plant, east of <br /> Cole Mill Road. In 1966, as a result of a recommendation by thtr <br /> Durham Department of 'Water Resources, the river was designate ' <br /> a high priority source of waster and the location of a major <br /> voir. A dam was proposed on the Eno just downstream of Nanc,;., <br /> Rhodes Branch where the old city water works had been located. <br /> The 1969 Research Triangle Development Guide estimated 50 <br /> million gallons available from the Eno River. This evidently <br /> took into account storage to be provided in nine impoundments in <br /> the upper watershed. The Eno River, with a drainage area of 144 <br /> square miles could be developed up to 50 million..,gallons. per,..day <br /> by building storage. It might not be economical to do so. <br /> In 1973, an engineering study was done of the potential water <br /> yield from the Eno River Reservoir.which showed a potential yield <br /> of 24 million gallons per day from a dam holding back water at <br /> an elevation of 400. feet. <br /> There was strong opposition to the reservoir by land owners <br /> and preservationists which eventually prompted the creation of the <br /> Eno River Association, a non--profit citizens group whose goal was <br /> the protection and preservation of the Eno River valley. <br /> The Ne116 Tear Quarry site downstream on the Eno west of Rox- <br /> boro road was identified around this time as a potential reservoir. <br /> While it would not be available until after the year 2000, it was <br /> estimated to supply 25 million gallons per day and have little im- <br /> pact as it would be part of the reclamation of the quarry. The <br /> availability of the Nello Teer Quarry site, the successful effort <br /> of the Eno River Association to raise support to protect the Eno <br /> Valley, and the high estimated cost of the Eno River alternative <br /> caused the City of Durham to abandon this site in favor of others. <br /> It eventually decided to build a reservoir near the Orange Factory <br /> on the Little River. This reservoir is scheduled to be completed <br /> in 1983'and will supply the needs. pf.' Durham well beyond the..year <br /> 2000. <br />