OUR VIEW: Lake Catalpa should be opened to the public

» We should take advantage of access that the Outer Loop Road would provide to the community

The planned Outer Loop Road that will connect U.S. 522 to Route 729 near Route 229 could also provide a side benefit — access to Lake Catalpa.

There currently is no adequate public access to the 46-acre lake, which was created along with Pelham, Mountain Run, Merrimac and Caynor lakes as part of a 1970s flood-control project. Lake Pelham and Mountain Run Lake already have public access to recreational opportunities like fishing and motorless boating.

We think similar access should be considered for Lake Catalpa and it looks like many of you agree. In our recent Web poll, 51 of 73 respondents said the lake should be used for recreation.

The Outer Loop Road’s routing would take it near the northwestern shore of the lake, providing a logical point of access that shouldn’t be too difficult to work into construction.

Because Lake Pelham and Mountain Run Lake provide the town with its drinking water, no motorboats are allowed on them. Lake Catalpa currently is not part of the town’s water supply, but we think motorboats would be inappropriate for Lake Pelham as well. It’s simply too small.

There has been some talk of expanding the lake over the years. Doing so would require careful study to determine its impact on the surrounding area.

Either way, we think Lake Catalpa could one day be a wonderful place to take the kids fishing. We’d like to see it considered.