An enormous amount of water careened down from the numerous high-country tributaries of the Catawba and Linville rivers and Paddy’s Creek, and into Lake James, the westernmost of the 11 reservoirs in Duke’s Catawba-Wateree system.

Experts who spoke at the fourth annual Lake James Watershed Symposium Wednesday said the reservoir should be safe for swimmers as the weather warms.

The co-owner of Lake James Boat Rentals said he has already started booking clients for the upcoming warm-weather season.

Through rigorous inspections, monitoring, and maintenance, Duke Energy guarantees the structural integrity of the dams on Catawba River, Linville River, and Paddy’s Creek.