Lake Susan is a beloved centerpiece of Montreat and an important component of the community’s stormwater and flood-management system. Over more than two decades, sediment transported by Flat Creek had accumulated within the lake, reducing its depth, recreational value, aquatic habitat, and stormwater storage capacity.

Blue Earth Engineering worked with the Montreat Conference Center and project partners to develop plans for a comprehensive dredging and restoration project. The original project was designed to restore the lake’s historic depth and function while incorporating improvements to aquatic habitat, sediment management, and the Flat Creek corridor. Blue Earth developed much of the project's site plan and analysis.

Just as the project was preparing to move into construction, Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina in September 2024. Extreme flows carried extraordinary quantities of sediment, rock, and debris into Lake Susan. A project originally anticipated to remove approximately 6,500 cubic yards of accumulated sediment ultimately removed more than 25,000 cubic yards, dramatically expanding the scale of the restoration.

The completed project went well beyond dredging. Flat Creek was redirected near the pedestrian bridge to restore its flow through all three bridge bays, and a submerged sediment forebay was constructed to capture incoming sediment where it can be periodically removed rather than accumulating throughout the lake. A new wetland shelf and islands were also created along the eastern side of Lake Susan to support native aquatic vegetation, wildlife habitat, and ecological diversity.

The restoration demonstrates how infrastructure recovery can also create an opportunity to improve ecological function and long-term resilience. Lake Susan now has greater depth and restored recreational and aesthetic value, improved aquatic habitat, and a more sustainable strategy for managing future sediment—all while continuing its important role within the Flat Creek watershed and the Montreat community.