HOPE MILLS, N.C. -- Hope Mills Lake is finally back after almost 8 years.

The return became official at a special ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

Getting the lake back has been a long and difficult process, but people came from all over Cumberland County to take in the beauty and the sights of this body of water that for years has been the site of holiday celebrations, weddings and great family fun.

Originally, the ceremony was only to recognize an impoundment date to start refilling the lake. But heavy rainfall this past weekend caused the lake to refill quicker than anyone thought would happen.