Dam Restoration Project
Lake History
The Lake at Woodlake—originally known as Lake Surf—was first developed in 1968 by local visionary A.B. Hardy, who imagined a premier golf and lake destination comparable to the historic resorts of the surrounding region. His vision began with the creation of Lake Surf, a private, 1,200‑acre, spring‑fed lake that would become the centerpiece of the community.
In 1980, Woodlake was sold to German developers, and over the years the property passed through several successive German ownership groups. During the final decade of this period, the community faced ongoing financial challenges and deferred maintenance. These issues culminated during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, when long‑ignored repairs led to a breach of the dam. As a result, the lake that once defined the Woodlake community was drained and has remained empty since that time
2019
Keith Allison, a longtime Woodlake property owner, along with his family, were asked to step in and help the community, who had recently obtained a $165 million+ class action judgment against the German ownership entity. It wasn’t until March of 2021 that Mr. Allison and Atlantic National Capital (ANC), were able to secure the property in a foreclosure auction and quickly began to work closely with Moore County to clear up any and all unpaid property taxes (some dating back to 2014). They immediately took over efforts to identify next steps to repair the dam and fill the lake, working closely alongside the Restore Woodlake Committee.
Late 2021
Atlantic National Capital received confirmation of the funding for the reconstruction of the Woodlake Dam to help prevent downstream flooding throughout Spring Lake and Fayetteville and shortly after, the first step in the process commenced with the surveying by the WitherRavenel firm and Design/Engineering by Schnabel Engineering. The new dam proposed 7-cycle labrinyth design is an inline structure with a minimum top elevation of 230 and gates to the spillway exit. The complexity of this design aligns with our efforts to mitigate any future downstream flooding and ensures longterm sustainability.
2023-2024
ANC hired TA Loving to be the lead contractor on the dam construction once all permits and approvals had been issued. In 2023, ANC has received a letter of approval from NC DEQ on Subject Erosion and Sedimentation Control plans, obtained an extension on the 401/404 permit for Wetlands Plan, and TALCO commenced construction on the project which was projected to be complete in 2025. In August 2024, TS Debby breached the cofferdams which were still under remedial work by the initial contractor.
