The City of Asheville is set to start removing storm debris from the waterways and roads surrounding the North Fork Reservoir in the coming weeks. The initiative aims to protect the city’s drinking water system by ensuring consistent water flow and reducing flood risks. Additionally, it seeks to lower wildfire danger in sensitive watershed zones and dispose of storm debris in a safe manner.
City officials clarified that these operations are not being conducted due to any concerns about dam safety. Instead, they are part of ongoing efforts to maintain infrastructure and environmental health.
Contractors will be working every day during daylight hours. Residents can expect increased truck traffic on roads leading to and from the North Fork Reservoir while the project is underway. Safety and environmental protection measures will be closely monitored throughout the operation.
Debris collected at the reservoir will be chipped on-site before being transported to a designated disposal facility. The city emphasized that only vegetative debris resulting from storms will be processed; no trash, construction materials, or hazardous waste will be included.
Further details about the project are available on the city’s official project page.
