The Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2232) is located on the Catawba River, which begins in western North Carolina, and then flows easterly and southerly into South Carolina where it joins Big Wateree Creek to form the Wateree River (see Figure 1.1-1). The Catawba-Wateree Project comprises 13 hydropower plants and 11 developments, including the James, Rhodhiss, Hickory, Lookout Shoals, Norman, Mountain Island, Wylie, Fishing Creek, Great Falls, Rocky Creek, and Wateree Reservoirs. The Catawba-Wateree Project spans over 200 river miles and encompasses approximately 1,600 miles of shoreline within nine counties in North Carolina and five counties in South Carolina (see Table 1.1-1).

*  Estimate includes reservoir shoreline and island shoreline miles.

The Catawba-Wateree Recreation Use and Needs Study (Recreation Study) was initiated as a component of the update of Duke Power's Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for the Catawba-Wateree Project. In a February 3, 1997, filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission), Duke Power provided the "Report Regarding Strategy and Schedule for Implementing Shoreline Management Plan" for the Catawba-Wateree Project, pursuant to the Commission's February 2, 1996, order approving and modifying the existing SMP. As part of the Catawba-Wateree SMP update, Duke Power proposed to conduct a recreational needs study at the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project. The Commission issued an order on June 10, 1998, approving Duke Power's proposed plan to revise the SMP, and specified the recreational needs study plan be filed with the Commission for approval. On October 29, 1998, Duke Power, after consultation with the agencies, submitted the study methodology and schedule for conducting the Recreational Study to FERC, resource agencies, county government agencies, and marine commissions within the project area. On February 17, 1999, the Commission issued an order approving the recreation use and needs study methodology. In addition to the study methodology, interim reports were provided to FERC and the interested parties for review and comment during the 1999 study period (see Section 2.3). The draft Recreation Study was submitted to FERC and the interested parties on March 31, 2000. The official filing of the final study is being done as part of the SMP filing with FERC by July 30, 2001, and includes agency comments, response to comments, and any recommendations that will be implemented as a result of consultation.

Click Here to View Full Figure 1.1-1 Catawba-Wateree Project Area

The objectives of the Recreation Use and Needs Study for the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project include:

	characterization of existing recreation resources, both within the project area and project region;
	assessment of existing recreational use occurring within the project area;
	assessment of existing recreation boat and facility carrying capacity within the project reservoirs;
	estimation of future recreational needs; and
	proposed recommendations for future recreation facilities development within the project area.

Recreational use data were collected within the project area through: surveys and interviews of existing and potential recreational users, traffic and spot counts of key Duke-owned access areas, and boat carrying capacity information for the 11 reservoirs. Section 2.0 contains further description of the data collection methodology. The recreational use data were analyzed for each reservoir to characterize the existing recreation facilities and use within the project area. Section 3.0 provides a summary of the recreational use data results for the Catawba-Wateree system. Section 4.0 provides a summary of the recreational use data collected, along with an analysis of the carrying capacity, future use estimates, and facility needs estimates for each reservoir.