|
Table
of Contents
|
|
Introduction |
|
Project
Area Description |
|
Purpose
and Content of the Study |
|
Methodology |
|
Data
Collection |
|
Mail
Surveys and Interviews |
|
Traffic
Counts, Spot Counts, and Tailrace Counts |
|
Flyovers |
|
Existing
Recreation Areas and Facilities |
|
Data
Analysis |
|
Recreation
Use Assessment |
|
Boat
Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Recreation
Demand Assessment |
|
Limitations |
|
Consultation
|
|
Summary
of Recreation Resources |
|
Summary
of Regional Recreation Resources |
|
Catawba-Wateree
Key Characteristics |
|
Catawba-Wateree
Project Area Recreation Areas |
|
Catawba-Wateree
Project Area Recreation Use Assessment |
|
General
Recreation User Characteristics |
|
Recreation
Use |
|
Boating
Use |
|
Project
Area Recreation Resources |
|
Lake
James |
|
Lake
James Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lake
James Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lake
James Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lake
James Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Lake
Rhodhiss |
|
Lake
Rhodhiss Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lake
Rhodhiss Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lake
Rhodhiss Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lake
Rhodhiss Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Lake
Hickory |
|
Lake
Hickory Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lake
Hickory Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lake
Hickory Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lake
Hickory Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Lookout
Shoals Lake |
|
Lookout
Shoals Lake Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lookout
Shoals Lake Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lookout
Shoals Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lookout
Shoals Lake Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Lake
Norman |
|
Lake
Norman Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lake
Norman Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lake
Norman Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lake
Norman Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Mountain
Island Lake |
|
Mountain
Island Lake Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Mountain
Island Lake Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Mountain
Island Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Mountain
Island Lake Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Lake
Wylie |
|
Lake
Wylie Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lake
Wylie Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lake
Wylie Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lake
Wylie Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Fishing
Creek Lake |
|
Fishing
Creek Lake Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Fishing
Creek Lake Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Fishing
Creek Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Fishing
Creek Lake Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Great
Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes |
|
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Existing Recreation Areas |
Great
Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Recreation Use
Assessment |
Great
Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Boat Carrying
Capacity Assessment |
|
Great
Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Survey Respondent Commentsss |
|
Lake
Wateree |
|
Lake
Wateree Existing Recreation Areas |
|
Lake
Wateree Recreation Use Assessment |
|
Lake
Wateree Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
|
Lake
Wateree Survey Respondent Comments |
|
Lake Norman, the largest reservoir in the Catawba-Wateree
system, is located northwest of Charlotte in Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba
and Lincoln counties, North Carolina. Lake Norman has a surface area of
about 32,475 acres and 569.5 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of
760 feet msl. Table 4.5-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for
Lake Norman, based on the SMP maps.
| Table 4.5-1. |
Shoreline Classification for Lake Norman
|
|
Shoreline Classification
|
Shoreline Miles
|
Percent of Total
|
|
Commercial /Non-Residential
|
6.7
|
1.0%
|
|
Commercial /Residential
|
25.5
|
4.0%
|
|
Residential
|
299.6
|
53.0%
|
|
Business Industrial
|
1.4
|
0.0%
|
|
Public Recreation
|
2.3
|
0.4%
|
|
Public Infrastructure
|
19.5
|
3.0%
|
|
Project Operations
|
3.5
|
1.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Non-Residential
|
18.0
|
3.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Residential
|
40.5
|
7.0%
|
|
Future Residential
|
36.0
|
6.0%
|
|
Future Public Recreation
|
28.6
|
5.0%
|
|
Impact Minimization Zones
|
12.8
|
2.0%
|
|
Environmental Area
|
67.5
|
12.0%
|
|
Natural Area
|
7.1
|
1.0%
|
Total
|
569.6
|
100.0%
|
| 4.5.1 |
Lake Norman Existing
Recreation Areas |
There are 10 developed and 3 undeveloped Duke Power owned
public recreation access locations (two are leased to county recreation
agencies) on Lake Norman, one state park, (Lake Norman State Park, formerly
Duke Power State Park), two county parks, Jetton Road and Blythe Landing
County Parks, two county leased parks (Ramsey Creek and Stumpy Creek)
and one city park, Davidson Lake Park. Figure 4.5-1 shows the public recreation
access locations. In addition, there are 15 commercial non-residential,
and 4 commercial residential marinas that provide additional public access
on Lake Norman. The following sections describe the Duke-owned public
access areas, summarize the facilities at the state and county parks,
and provide estimates of the number and type of commercial recreational
access facilities at Lake Norman.
Existing Duke-Owned Public Access Areas
The developed Duke-owned public access areas provide about
119 acres of land and about 14,669 feet of shoreline frontage of public
access at Lake Norman. Combined, the developed access areas have 18 public
boat ramps, 7 loading piers, 1 fishing piers and about 553 vehicle/trailer
and 62 car parking spaces. Table 4.5-2 summarizes the facilities at the
public access areas. The undeveloped access areas provide about 152 acres
and 8,350 feet of shoreline frontage for future public recreational development.
|
Click Here
to View Full
Figure 4.5-1
Lake Norman Public Recreation Access Areas
|
 |
In the 1994 SMP Duke Power proposed to improve the Stumpy
Creek access area (replace the 1 ramp with 2 new boat ramps, install a
loading pier, expand, light and pave the parking lot), Pinnacle access
area (replace the 3 ramps with 5 new boat ramps, replace the pier with
2 new loading piers and light the parking lot), McCrary Creek access area
(replace the 2 ramps with 4 new boat ramps and light and pave the parking
lot), Hager Creek access area (replace the ramp with 3 new boat ramps,
install a loading pier and pave and light the parking lot), Long Island
access area (relocate the site and install two boat ramps, a loading pier
and pave the site), Little Creek access area (replace the 2 ramps with
2 new boat ramps, install a loading pier and expand, light and pave the
parking lot), Beattys Ford access area (replace the 3 ramps with 4 new
boat ramps, install 2 loading piers and expand, light and pave the parking
lot) and McGuire Fishing area (pave 5 handicapped parking spaces).
In addition, Duke Power said it would add 20 acres to
the McCrary Creek site (16 acres added), add 10 acres to the Hager Creek
site (8 acres added), relocate Long Island to 12 acres (relocated to 29
acres), add 5 acres to the Little Creek site (4 acres added), add 4 acres
to the Beattys Ford site (7 acres added) and identify a new undeveloped
87 acre site (this is a new undeveloped 128 acre site). All of the recreation
commitments from the 1994 SMP will be completed by the end of 2001. Duke
Power also added two additional undeveloped sites with one at Buffalo
Shoals (11 acres) and one at Slanting Bridge (13 acres).
| Table 4.5-2. |
Lake Norman Duke-Owned Public Access Areas
|
|
Access Area Name
|
Acreage
|
Shoreline Frontage (ft)
|
Boat
Ramps
|
Loading
Piers
|
Fishing
Piers
|
Car
Parking
(Spaces)
|
V/T*
Parking
(Spaces)
|
|
Long Island
|
28.8
|
2,015
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
50
|
|
Pinnacle
|
9.4
|
1,035
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
155
|
|
McCrary Creek
|
21.2
|
1,867
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
50
|
|
Marshall Fish Area
|
-
|
1,100
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
38
|
|
Hager Creek
|
28.3
|
3,308
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
120
|
|
Little Creek
|
7.9
|
1,673
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
20
|
20
|
|
Beatties Ford
|
23.7
|
1,871
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
120
|
|
McGuire Fish Area
|
-
|
1,800
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
42
|
0
|
|
Buffalo Shoals **
|
10.8
|
1,456
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
0
|
NA
|
|
Island Point**
|
128.3
|
6,245
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
0
|
NA
|
|
Slanting Bridge**
|
12.6
|
649
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
0
|
NA
|
Total
|
271.0
|
23,019
|
18
|
7
|
1
|
62
|
553
|
* Vehicle/Trailer parking area.
** Undeveloped site.
Back to Top
State and County Public Recreation Facilities
There are one state park and four county parks located along
the Lake Norman shoreline. Table 4.5-3 summarizes the site acreage, shoreline
footage and recreational facilities provided at the Duke Power State Park.
This facility is located in the northern portion of Lake Norman, and is
owned and operated by North Carolina Department of Environmental Health
and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation.
| Table 4.5-3. |
Summary of Duke Power State Park Public Recreation Facilities
|
|
Site Description/Facility
|
Number
|
|
Site Acreage
|
1,459
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
39,850
|
|
Concrete Boat Ramps
|
2
|
|
Loading Pier
|
1
|
|
Paved Parking Spaces for Trailers
|
50
|
|
Paved Parking Spaces for Cars
|
370
|
|
Swimming Beach and Bathhouse
|
1 each
|
|
Concession Building
|
1
|
|
Primitive Group Campsites
|
1
|
|
Campsites without Hookups
|
33
|
|
Restroom/Shower
|
1
|
|
Picnic Tables
|
67
|
|
Ranger Residences
|
2
|
|
Maintenance Facility
|
1
|
|
Miles of Trail
|
7.5
|
Four county parks, Jetton Park, Blythe Landing, Ramsey
Creek Park, and Stumpy Creek Access Area are located along the southern
and eastern shoreline of Lake Norman. Jetton Park and Blythe Landing are
owned and operated by Mecklenburg County, while Ramsey Creek Park and
Stumpy Creek are operated by Mecklenburg County and Iredell County, respectively,
on lands under lease from Duke Power. Table 4.5-4 summarizes the key characteristics
of these facilities.
| Table 4.5-4. |
Summary of County Public Recreation Facilities
|
|
Jetton
Park
|
Blythe
Landing
|
Ramsey
Creek Park
|
Stumpy
Creek
|
|
105 acres
|
11 picnic tables
|
46 acres
|
4 soccer fields
|
|
12,877 shoreline footage
|
6 boat ramps
|
3,828 shoreline frontage
|
120 parking spaces
|
|
1 beach area
|
3 picnic shelters
|
4 concrete boat ramps
|
To be completed in 2001
|
|
1 concession area
|
.5 miles of trail
|
1 floating loading pier with 8 slips
|
2 concrete boat ramps
|
|
3 double picnic decks with grills
|
157 boat parking spaces
|
115 paved parking spaces for trailers
|
1 floating loading pier
|
|
9 picnic decks with grills
|
101 car parking spaces
|
49 paved parking spaces for cars
|
51 paved parking spaces
|
|
1 playground
|
1 dockside café
|
4 paved parking spaces for buses
|
|
|
2 restrooms
|
1 playground
|
12 picnic tables
|
|
|
8 tennis courts
|
8 boat slips
|
3 picnic shelters with 13 tables
|
|
|
1.5 miles of biking trails
|
5 volleyball courts
|
15 grills
|
|
|
1 mile of hiking trails
|
2 restrooms
|
2 restrooms
|
|
|
1 office complex
|
1 loading pier
|
1 concessions/office complex
|
|
|
1 maintenance facility
|
|
1 playground area
|
|
| |
|
2 horseshoe pits
|
|
| |
|
1 volleyball court
|
|
| |
|
2 beach areas
|
|
| |
|
1 fishing pier
|
|
| |
|
5 miles of trails
|
|
Existing Commercial and Private Recreation Access
In addition to the Duke-owned public access areas and
the state and county parks, the public can gain access to Lake Norman
through commercial non-residential and commercial residential marinas.
Private access to Lake Norman is through private marinas and private piers
along the Lake Norman shoreline. Table 4.5-5 summarizes the number and
type of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential
marina facilities. Table 4.5-6 summarizes the estimated number of private
piers.
| Table 4.5-5. |
Summary of Lake Norman Commercial Recreational
Access Facilities
|
|
Type of Facility
|
Commercial
Non-Residential
|
Commercial
Residential
|
|
No. Public Marinas
|
15
|
4
|
|
No. Private Marinas
|
7
|
65
|
|
No. Wet Slips
|
1,903
|
3,398
|
|
No. Dry Slips
|
1,570
|
1,035
|
| Table 4.5-6 |
Summary of Lake Norman Private Recreational Access Facilities
|
|
Type of Facility
|
No. Private Facilities
|
|
Piers
|
8,100
|
Site-Specific Descriptions of Existing Duke-owned Public Access Areas
at Lake Norman
The following section provides a description of each Duke-owned
public access area at Lake Norman, including a photograph, site characterisitics,
site recreation facilities, and key recreation activities.
Long Island Access Area

| Figure 4.5-2. |
Long Island Access Area
|
The Long Island access area is located in the upper portion
of Lake Norman along the western shoreline near Long Island, North Carolina.
Table 4.5-7 summarizes key site characteristics for the Long Island access
area.
| Table 4.5-7. |
Summary of Long Island Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Long Island
|
|
Location
|
Road 1904, Catawba County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
28.8 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
2 boat ramps, 1 loading pier, lighting
|
|
Parking
|
50 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Loading pier
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main channel of upper lake
|
|
Topography
|
Moderate slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
2,015 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/NCWRC
|
Pinnacle Access Area

| Figure 4.5-4. |
Pinnacle Access Area
|
The Pinnacle access area is located in the middle portion
of Lake Norman's eastern shoreline, just off Route 150 in Iredell County,
North Carolina. Table 4.5-8 summarizes key site characteristics for the
Pinnacle access area.
| Table 4.5-8. |
Summary of Pinnacle Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Pinnacle
|
|
Location
|
Highway 150, Iredell County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
9.4 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
5 boat ramps, 2 loading piers
|
|
Parking
|
155 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Loading piers
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, boat fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main channel of the lake
|
|
Topography
|
Flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Planted hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
1,035 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/NCWRC
|
McCrary Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.5-5. |
McCrary Creek Access Area
|
The McCrary Creek access area is located off Route 150
in the middle portion of Lake Norman along the eastern shoreline just
southeast of the Pinnacle access area. Table 4.5-9 summarizes key site
characteristics for the McCrary Creek access area. Work will begin on
the removal of the old ramps and the installation of 4 new ramps, 2 loading
piers and an expansion of the parking lot at the end of 2000 and continue
into 2001.
| Table 4.5-9. |
Summary of McCrary Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
McCrary Creek
|
|
Location
|
Highway 150, Iredell County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
21.2 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
2 boat ramps
|
|
Parking
|
50 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None (piers in the future)
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, boat and bank fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
None
|
|
Topography
|
Flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
1,867 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/NCWRC
|
Marshall Fishing Area

| Figure 4.5-6. |
Marshall Fishing Area
|
The Marshall Fishing Area is located in the middle portion
of Lake Norman along the western shoreline, on Highway 150, near Terrell,
North Carolina. Table 4.5-10 summarizes key site characteristics for the
Marshall Fishing Area.
| Table 4.5-10. |
Summary of Marshall Fishing Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Marshall Fishing Area
|
|
Location
|
Highway 150, Catawba County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
Undefined since this site is on
Plant Marshall property
|
|
Site Facilities
|
Lighting, porta jons
|
|
Parking
|
38 gravel vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Bank fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
None
|
|
Topography
|
Steep slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
1,100 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/NCWRC
|
Hager Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.5-7. |
Hager Creek Access Area
|
The Hager Creek access area is located in the middle portion
of Lake Norman along the eastern shoreline near Mayhew, North Carolina.
Table 4.5-11 summarizes key site characteristics for the Hager Creek access
area.
| Table 4.5-11. |
Summary of Hager Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Hager Creek
|
|
Location
|
Road 1115, Iredell County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
28.3 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
4 boat ramps, 2 loading piers,
lighting
|
|
Parking
|
115 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Loading piers
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, boat and bank fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main channel of the lake
|
|
Topography
|
Flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
3,308 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/NCWRC
|
Little Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.5-8. |
Little Creek Access Area
|
The Little Creek access area is located in the middle
portion of Lake Norman along the western shoreline near Denver, North
Carolina. Table 4.5-12 summarizes key site characteristics for the Little
Creek access area.
| Table 4.5-12. |
Summary of Little Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Little Creek
|
|
Location
|
Burton Lane Road, Lincoln County,
NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
7.9 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
1 boat ramp, lighting
|
|
| |