The Town of Lake Lure is a municipality located in Rutherford County, 25 miles southeast of Asheville at the edge of the Hickory Nut Gorge. It was incorporated in 1927 upon completion of the dam on the Rocky Broad River. The Town acquired the dam and lake after which it is named in 1965. The town covers 14 square miles, including the 800-acre lake. It has a full-time population of 1,200 and is a popular resort and tourist destination. The municipal government provides the following functions and services: public safety (police, fire, medical and rescue), administration and finance, community development and zoning administration, public works, water and sewer utilities, hydroelectric generation, parks and recreation, lake operations and environmental management.