Price Lake on Blue Ridge Parkway empty, closed after dam damage from Tropical Depression Fred

Damage from heavy rains and floods caused by Tropical Depression Fred continue to keep parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway closed.

One popular area that remains closed as of Aug. 21 is Price Lake, at Milepost 296.7 just north of Grandfather Mountain in Watauga County. According to a statement from the National Park Service, the dam used to regulate the lake’s water levels was damaged in the storm, and the lake has emptied.

Fishing, boating, and other activities in the lake are prohibited until further notice. Price Lake Boat Rentals, the on-site concessioner, will be open with limited hours to offer firewood and some snacks.

More: Blue Ridge Parkway closures during Tropical Storm Fred

Multiple small landslides have closed Milepost 411.9– 423.2, from U.S. 276 to N.C. 215 southwest of Asheville in Haywood County. The area is being cleared of debris and will reopen after engineers complete inspections to" ensure the road is not comprised or damaged."

Access from the parkway to U.S. 276 is open toward Brevard. U.S. 276 to Waynesville and Haywood County remains closed. Four people living in the small town of Cruso in Haywood County have died in the flood waters that caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, roads and bridges.

More: 4th deceased now ID'd as wife of man who drowned in Haywood County flooding

For subscribers: Haywood County flood survivor: 'I just saw everything floating away'

While U.S. 276 is now open from Brevard to the parkway, Looking Glass Falls is closed beyond the viewing area due to a massive log jam below the falls, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The highway through Pisgah National Forest was mostly closed during and after Fred, which swept across Western North Carolina Aug. 17.

Parts were also closed Aug. 14, on a sunny Saturday before Fred, when a large oak tree fell on two cars near Sycamore Flats, killing a 10-year-old boy and critically injuring three others. Forest Service spokeswoman Cathy Dowd said a report is expected soon from an assessment of the tree.

More: One person dead, 3 critically injured in Pisgah National Forest after tree falls on cars

The closed sections of the parkway remain under full closure, said parkway spokesperson Leesa Branding, meaning they are closed to all traffic, including cyclists and hikers. Hazardous trees, downed trees and heavy equipment in these areas make it unsafe for recreating behind the gates. 

Visitors behind closed gates or in closed areas, such as Price Lake, will be asked to leave the area for their personal safety as well as protection of parkway resources.

As of Aug. 21, most sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway previously closed due to downed trees and debris from Tropical Storm Fred have reopened, including the Asheville corridor.

Road status information is updated daily on the park website.

“Park staff have worked over the past few days to restore access in as many areas as possible.” Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout said in a statement.

“The remaining closures in place require additional time to address, and we appreciate the public’s cooperation by avoiding these areas.”

Karen Chávez is Content Coach/Investigations Editor for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email her at KChavez@CitizenTimes.com or follow on Twitter @KarenChavezACT