Concord Lake

[Debbie Sundberg Sullivan 51]

Are there anybody out there that have memories of Concord Lake? We used to sneak down there all the time and loved swinging off the swing.Man we were never scared of snakes and I threaten my grandkids with their live to be watching! Those were the days my friends :)

[Robben Tindle]

Spent alot of time down on Concord Lake. Hanging out on the rocks and going out to the point. I know that the way we used to go from Lily Lane is all grown over. I had recently went back to see if I could walk down to the lake and there was no way from there.

[Mark A. Dabbs Class of 1977]

It can be accessed from 15th Street Road via the conveyor belt. You can also access from the off Dogwood Lane after you bear to the right at the Y intersection and go to the end of the road to the circle drive (which is private property now though) and walk through the woods to the lake. For those who have fond memories of the lake.......well, let's say it's the lake you and our parents knew back in the day. Coal dust has ruined the lake shore all around it; if you don't know how to "read" the land there it is best to stay away because there are many places where the "shore" is actually built up coal dust with vegetation growing on it. Such "ground" is not actually solid. If one should fall through it....... It's your decision to go there though. Be careful if you do. Oh, how do I know this? I grew up not very far from the lake during my junior high and high school years. I will say this: once upon a time.....Concord Lake was very beautiful, and so crystal clear.......amazing what progress has done to one of our local, and hidden, natural resources.

[Robben Tindle]

Do you know if it is true that Concord Mines plans to clean it up? I have heard that they now can sift the coal dust and make it into a viable product to sell. I wished something could be done to clean it up. It was a beautiful lake.

[Mark A. Dabbs Class of 1977]

With the mines itself being now closed, and the only thing being done there is the operation of the scrubber (if still active at this point), there is little word about any environmental clean up efforts for the lake. People around here are still dealing with litigation regarding the coal dust coming off the conveyor belt line which runs from Concord Mines back over to Peabody Mine (I believe that's the area name), an issue which the mines people say doesn't exist. Really? Come park your car here, after washing it nice and clean, for a day and then tell me there's no coal dust in the air. Sorry about the rant Robben. Hope I addressed your question as clearly as possible with the information I have. If I hear anything different I'll post it here.

[Debbie Sundberg Sullivan 51]

Wow good information keep us posted!

[Robben Tindle]

Thanks Mark. I didn't think that we would be that fortunate. It is ddisgusting what they have done to that lake.I questioned it when I was told that because I just could not see it being economically feasible to clean it up.