For almost eight years, Boiling Spring Lakes has been a lake town without most of its lakes. That is finally starting to change. This fall, water is returning to two of the city’s rebuilt lake basins, crews are moving on to the next one, and city leaders are asking residents whether they want city water and sewer extended to more neighborhoods. If you own in Boiling Spring Lakes, are thinking about selling, or have been watching this corner of Brunswick County for a quieter home near Southport and Oak Island, here’s where things stand and what to keep in mind.
A Quick Look Back: Why the Lakes Went Dry
Hurricane Florence dumped heavy rain on the area in September 2018. As the StarNews recapped on July 4, 2026, Sanford Dam breached on Sept. 15, 2018, draining the 275-acre Big Lake (also called Patricia Lake) and triggering failures at the North Lake, Pine Lake, Middle Lake, and Upper Lake dams. Reconstruction started in July 2023 and ran into delays, including storm damage and the 2025 discovery that the Pine Lake Dam had been built too low. The StarNews reported the total cost at roughly $56 million to $57 million, paid for with grants, state money, and FEMA assistance.
Where the Dam Project Stands This Fall
Upper Lake and North Lake are refilling
The city reported that it got state approval and closed the Upper (Allen Creek) Lake Dam gate on July 21, 2026. Then, on Oct. 5, 2026, it received the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Dam Safety Program’s Certificate of Final Approval for North Lake and closed the North Lake Dam gate. The city said filling will take several weeks, or less if the weather is wet.
Big Lake and Pine Lake are next
According to the city manager’s August 2026 report, work on Sanford Dam (Big Lake) and Pine Lake Dam is expected to wrap up in the first quarter of 2027, and the contract’s final completion date is May 18, 2027. The State Port Pilot reported on Oct. 14, 2026 that, with North Lake’s lakebed cleared, public works crews will start clearing the Pine Lake lakebed. At the Oct. 6 commissioners meeting, Mayor Jeff Winecoff also pushed for reopening the closed section of East Boiling Spring Road to be a top priority.
Roads and Drainage: Plan for Detours Through November
September 2024 brought a second blow. The National Weather Service says Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight dropped 12 to 20 inches of rain across parts of the Cape Fear region in about two days, causing severe flash flooding in Boiling Spring Lakes, Southport, Bolivia, and Carolina Beach. Repairs to city streets damaged in that storm are now underway. WECT reported on Oct. 19, 2026 that work starts Oct. 26 at Sunset Road and W. Boiling Spring Road and will continue through November. Those roads will be closed to through traffic, with marked detours and local access kept where possible.
The State Port Pilot also reported that the city will use a $291,750 Golden LEAF Flood Mitigation grant for about 11,000 linear feet of nature-based drainage improvements downstream of Redwood Road. The work covers roads north of North Lake, an area between Patricia and Pine lakes, and part of the city’s northwest section east of N.C. 87.
The Water and Sewer Question
The city has started a conversation about extending public water and sewer service to areas that don’t have it. In mid-September, officials said they had an initial meeting with Brunswick County and stressed that resident input would decide whether to move forward. They also said any project would take years of planning and funding. The city held a public input meeting on Oct. 19 at the Community Building on Leeds Road, and the State Port Pilot listed a second forum on Oct. 22 at City Hall. Nothing has been decided, but it’s worth watching. Utility access affects building costs, which lots can be built on, and how buyers compare homes.
What This Means for Buyers
- Ask about the water right now and the water to come. A home near a dry or partly filled lakebed may look very different in a year. Ask which lake a property faces and what that lake’s status is.
- Check flood risk at the parcel level. The 2024 storm showed that inland homes can flood too. Look up the address on the state’s Flood Risk Information System and get insurance quotes, including flood coverage, before you’re under contract.
- Confirm utilities. Where public sewer isn’t available, homes rely on septic systems. Include septic and well inspections in your due diligence if they apply, and check that a vacant lot can actually be permitted.
- Check your route. Road closures from the dam work and storm repairs can change daily drives for a while.
What This Means for Sellers
- Update your photos when the water comes back. If your view or nearby lake access is improving, fresh photos tell that story better than a description.
- Disclose accurately. Share what you know about past flooding, drainage, and repairs. Clear records build buyer confidence.
- Don’t overpromise timelines. Point buyers to the city’s official updates instead of guessing when a lake will be full or a road will reopen.
FAQ
Which Boiling Spring Lakes lakes are refilling?
The city closed the Upper Lake Dam gate on July 21, 2026, and the North Lake Dam gate on Oct. 5, 2026, after state approval.
When will Big Lake be back?
The city’s August 2026 report expects Sanford Dam work to finish in the first quarter of 2027, with a contract completion date of May 18, 2027. Refilling comes after state approval, so timing may change.
Which roads are closed this fall?
The city said storm-repair work at Sunset Road and W. Boiling Spring Road begins Oct. 26 and runs through November, with detours marked.
Will the lakes raise home values?
No one can promise that. Lake access is one of many factors buyers weigh, along with condition, flood risk, insurance, utilities, and price.
Thinking About Boiling Spring Lakes?
Whether you’re buying your first home near the coast, relocating, or getting ready to sell as the lakes return, local timing matters. We follow these changes closely and can help you compare Boiling Spring Lakes with Southport, Oak Island, St. James, and the rest of Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Contact Aspyre Collective to talk through your plans.
