Mountain Island Lake is located downstream of Lake Norman, northwest of Charlotte, in Lincoln, Mecklenburg, and Gaston counties, North Carolina. Mountain Island Lake has a surface area of about 3,281 acres and 79.9 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of 647.5 feet msl. Table 4.6-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Mountain Island Lake, based on the SMP maps.

There are three developed Duke Power-owned public recreation access locations on Mountain Island Lake. In addition, there is 1 developed county nature preserve, 3 undeveloped county nature preserves, 1 proposed state educational forest, 1 city-owned conservation area, and 1 county-owned wildlife refuge along the Mountain Island Lake shoreline. Figure 4.6-1 denotes the location of the public recreation access locations. There are no public commercial non-residential and two commercial residential marinas on Mountain Island Lake. The following sections describe the Duke-owned public access area facilities at Mountain Island Lake.

The Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area has been recently leased to the City of Mount Holly for a city park. The City is planning to install 8 campsites, a restroom, an archery range, playground, picnic deck, canoe access and trails on the site.

Existing Duke-Owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke-owned public access areas provide about 148 acres and about 7,328 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Mountain Island Lake. Combined, the developed access areas have 6 public boat ramps, 3 loading piers, 2 fishing piers, and about 160 vehicle/trailer and 20 car parking spaces. Table 4.6-2 summarizes the facilities at the public access areas.

Click Here to View Full Figure 4.6-1 Mountain Island Lake Public Recreation Access Areas

State and County Public Recreation Facilities

There is one developed county park, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, and one county wildlife area, Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge, along the Mountain Island shoreline. Both facilities are owned and operated by Mecklenburg County. There are three undeveloped recreation areas: Auten Nature Preserve and Rural Hill Nature Preserve in Mecklenburg County, and the proposed State Educational Forest in Lincoln and Gaston counties. The City of Gastonia owns a conservation area south of Highway 16 along the shoreline in Gaston county. The City of Mount Holly is in the process of developing the Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area (leased from Duke Power) as a city park. Table 3.6-4 summarizes the recreational facilities provided at the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. The facilities at Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge include a wildlife viewing platform.

Existing Commercial and Private Recreation Access

There are no public commercial non-residential and two commercial residential marinas on Mountain Island Lake. Private access to Mountain Island Lake is through private marinas and private piers along the Mountain Island Lake shoreline. Table 4.6-4 summarizes the number of Commercial facilities. Table 4.6-5 provides the estimated number of private piers.

Site-Specific Description of Existing Duke-owned Public Access Areas at
Mountain Island Lake

The following section provides a description of each Duke-owned public access area on Mountain Island Lake, including a photograph, site characterisitics, site recreation facilities, and key recreation activities.

Neck Road Access Area

The Neck Road access area is in the middle portion of Mountain Island Lake along the northern shoreline, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Table 4.6-6 summarizes key site characteristics for the Neck Road access area.

Riverbend Access Area

The Riverbend access area is in the lower portion of Mountain Island Lake off Highway 16 in Gaston County, North Carolina. Table 4.6-7 summarizes key site characteristics for the Riverbend access area.

Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area

The Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area is in the lower portion of Mountain Island Lake off Highway 273 in Gaston County, North Carolina. Table 4.6-8 summarizes key site characteristics for the Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area.

Recreation Use

Visitation at the public access areas on Mountain Island Lake was derived based on estimates of the traffic entering the Duke-owned public access areas. Total estimated visitation during the 1999 study period for Mountain Island Lake at these sites was about 99,135 visits. Figure 4.6-5 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Mountain Island Lake for the Duke-owned public access areas during the 1999 study period. A visit is considered a vehicle or vehicle/trailer entering the site for any part of a day.

Table 4.6-9 provides a summary of the estimated recreation visitation based on the traffic counter data for the sampled sites during the 1999 study period. Based on survey data input, the estimated ratio for annual visits to the project area for Survey B respondents (respondents that use both public and private access areas) compared to Survey C respondents (respondents at the public access areas) was about a ratio of 1.3 to 1. The estimated overall recreational visitation for Mountain Island Lake for the 1999 study period totaled 125,750 visits.

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Spot counts were conducted at two sites for Mountain Island Lake, Mountain Island Fishing Area and Riverbend Access area. Table 4.6-10 lists the number of sample days per month for the spot count data collection.

The total number of surveys received for each survey is listed in Table 4.6-11. Survey D was conducted of marina operators, therefore numbers of surveys sent and received were low. Figure 4.6-6 shows the distribution of recreation activity type for Survey A, Survey B, and Survey C categories. Figure 4.6-7 shows the distribution of recreation activity type combining data from Surveys A, B, and C; spot counts; and tailrace counts. Based on the combined data sources, the primary recreation activity for Mountain Island Lake during the 1999 study period was bank/pier fishing. For Mountain Island Lake, for Survey A about 29 percent; for Survey B about 30 percent; and for Survey C about 2 percent of the respondents indicated they recreated on the islands. For the combined responses to Surveys A, B, and C, 13 percent overall indicated they recreated on the islands.

For Mountain Island Lake, the average party size (average number of recreators in each party) for Survey A was 3.1; for Survey B was 2.9; and f or Survey C was 2.3. The average party size for all three groups (A, B, and C) was 2.6. The average number of visits per year for Survey B was 35.5; for Survey C was 28.6; and for combined Survey B and C respondents was 30.9. The average length of stay for respondents for Survey B was 5.5 hours; for Survey C was 4.6 hours; and for combined Survey B and C was 4.9 hours. For Survey A about 1.7 percent and for Survey B about 1.7 percent of the respondents indicated they had land abutting Mountain Island Lake.

Table 4.6-12 summarizes the perceived crowding ratings for Mountain Island Lake for each survey type, including responses to Survey D and a combined rating for Survey A, B, and C responses. Recreators on Mountain Island Lake (Surveys A, B, and C) indicated weekday crowding was about low-range (on a scale of 1 to 5), and for Surveys A and B, weekend crowding was rated as on the mid- to high-range. The one respondent to Survey D indicated that weekday crowding was low and weekend crowding was fairly high. The lake rescue and management groups were asked for crowding ratings only for the higher use lakes within the Catawba-Wateree system, including James, Hickory, Norman, Wylie and Wateree.

* Weighted Average

Boating Use

Figure 4.6-8 shows the distribution of boating activity type for Mountain Island Lake based on Surveys A, B, and C individually when comparing the percentage of each boating activity type to overall boating use. The average boating party size for Survey A was 3.2; for Survey B was 3.1; for Survey C was 2.5; and for the combined responses for Surveys A, B, and C was 2.8. The average number of hours boating was 4.3 hours for Survey A; 5.4 hours for Survey B; 5.1 hours for Survey C; and 5.2 hours for the combined responses for Surveys A, B, and C.

Of the individuals surveyed who primarily recreated on Mountain Island Lake, 71 percent of Survey A respondents (n=7), and 95 percent of Survey B respondents (n=20) owned boats. About 54 percent of Survey C respondents (n=41) owned boats; and for the combined responses for Surveys A, B, and C, about 68 (n=68) percent of the respondents owned boats.

Table 4.6-13 summarizes the distribution of boat ownership by type of boat for Mountain Island Lake. Motor boats comprised about 67 percent of the boat ownership compared to other boat categories, followed by canoes at about 16 percent. The ownership of motor boat types was primarily small motor boats (ranging 20 feet or less in size).

Figure 4.6-9 shows the period of the day the respondents indicated they primarily boated for Surveys A, B, and C. For Survey A about 1.6 percent indicated they primarily launched boats at Mountain Island Lake. For Survey B about 4.5 percent; for Survey C 4.2 percent; and for the combined responses for Surveys A, B, and C about 3.7 percent of the respondents launched boats at Mountain Island Lake compared to other lakes within the Catawba-Wateree system.

The overall boat carrying capacity is assessed based on the peak boating use estimates obtained during the aerial flyovers in the 1999 study period. The available boating acreage was adjusted from the base boats per acreage estimate (see Table 4.6-14) by the following factors (Warren and Rea, 1989):

Table 4.6-15 summarizes the assessment of the allowable overall boat capacity based on the usable water surface acreage and the boating activity mix identified from the surveys. Table 4.6-16 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use for Mountain Island Lake on the peak day during the 1999 study period. Mountain Island Lake during the weekday was estimated at 20 percent capacity, during the weekend at 36 percent capacity, and during the peak holiday period at 25 percent capacity for overall boating use.

Boat Activity	Usable Acreage	Use Factor	Max. No. Boats	% Usage	Boat Activity Mix	Persons/ Boat	Total Users
Fishing	3,231	8.0	404	40%	162	3.14	509
Canoe/Kayak	3,231	2.0	1,615	11%	178	3.26	580
Motor Boating	2,241	15.0	149	32%	47	3.90	185
Sailing	2,241	8.0	280	0%	-	3.36	-
Jet Skiing	2,241	8.0	280	8%	23	3.85	89
Water Skiing	2,241	17.0	132	9%	12	4.39	54
Total				100%	422		1,417

The overall boat carrying capacity assessment provides an assessment of the total surface area available for boating use. To assess the areas of the lakes with higher density of boating use, the general location of boating activity was recorded during the aerial flyovers for each day of aerial coverage. Figure 4.6-10 shows the location of boats during the peak use day for Mountain Island Lake. Figure 4.6-11 shows the boating density on Mountain Island Lake for the peak use day and denotes areas with the greatest clustering of boating activity. Figure 4.6-12 shows the boat density map based on the composite of the four highest boating use days. This figure illustrates the areas where boating use most often occurred during the peak use days during the study period and provides an assessment of areas with high density boating during the study period.

Click Here to View Full Figure 4.6-10 Mountain Island Lake Peak Use Day Boat Counts

Click Here to View Full Figure 4.6-11 Mountain Island Lake Peak Use Day Boat Density Map

Click Here to View Full Figure 4.6-12 Mountain Island Lake Composite Peak Use Boat Density Map

Mountain Island Lake Estimated Future Recreational Demand

Table 4.6-17 provides the population projections for the counties within 50-60 miles of Mountain Island Lake reservoir. Population projections were conducted for these impact zones using population data from the Office of State Planning for the counties in North Carolina and from the Office of Research and Statistics for the counties in South Carolina for 1970 through 1990 and population projections from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2000, 2010, and 2020. An average percentage increase for each ten year period was calculated. The impact zone populations were then projected to the year 2050 using the average percentage growth for the entire time period.

Table 4.6-18 provides the estimated recreational use for the impact zone through the year 2050. Current use estimates are based on spot counts and responses to surveys. The recreational use projections were estimated by computing the projected population increase for the impact zone and incorporating indexed values for future recreational use for the various activities. The index values for each activity were obtained from "Outdoor Recreation in American Life: A National Assessment of Demand and Supply Trends" (Cordell, 1999). The indices are based on models that incorporate a number of variables, including age structure of the population, income, race, sex, and population density, as well as other explanatory variables. Full model parameters and estimates are available from the author.

Table 4.6-19 shows the estimated absorption percentage for the four major recreation activities that require specific lands and facilities. Picnicking, swimming, camping, and boating are activities that require specific developed facilities. The other activities listed are dispersed activities that can take place at a variety of undeveloped areas. The estimated 1999 use levels are from Table 4.6-18. The estimated demand is based on the impact zone population (population of all counties within 50-60 miles of the lake). The impact zone population is multiplied by the participation rate for the activity, which was obtained from "Emerging Markets for Outdoor Recreation in the United States: Based on the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment" by H. Ken Cordell, et al. Participation rates are for the South and are similar to 1995 North Carolina SCORP data. Specific participation rates are as follows: swimming, 37.3%; picnicking, 44.8%; camping, 22.4%; boating, 45.0%. The product of the impact zone population and participation rates are then multiplied by the estimated of number of days of participation for each activity, which were obtained from the 1995 North Carolina SCORP. The 1999 estimated number of participants for each activity was then divided by the 1999 estimated demand to obtain the estimated absorption percentage. Absorption percentage is defined as the percent of total demand for the impact zone that is met by the individual lake.

Table 4.6-20 provides the estimate of the recreational facilities land acreage needed to meet the future recreational demand through the year 2050. The weighted population is the estimated impact zone population multiplied by the participation rate for each activity. The facility standards and estimated acreage needs for the facility class are based on State SCORPS and FERC Guidelines for Outdoor Recreational Facilities. The facility need is the total facility need for the impact zone based on the weighted population and the facility standards. The total facility need is then multiplied by the absorption percentage to determine the facility need for Mountain Island Lake. The acreage needs are then based on the Mountain Island Lake facility need multiplied by per unit acreage needs that are based on State SCORPS and FERC Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation Facilities. For Mountain Island Lake, it is estimated that 18 acres are required to accommodate future recreational facilities demand through the year 2050. This includes 1 acres of beaches, 1 acres of picnic areas, 4 acres of campsites, and 13 acres of boat ramps.

The estimated acreage needs for the reservoir are total usable acreage needs. Usable land acreage at existing developed public recreation facilities can be counted toward these needs. Duke Power sites, county and state parks, and other private and public agencies will meet these needs. There are a number of state and county parks that are located on lands leased from Duke Power. These areas are not included in the discussion, as Duke Power owned access areas. Duke Power is expected to meet a portion of the future recreational land needs. The entire estimated need will be met by a combination of opportunities from all sources.

For Mountain Island Lake, the most frequently identified recreational facility needs mentioned were for more boat ramps and restrooms. Duke Power has increased the number of boat ramps and parking spaces at the public access areas. Duke Power is also working with the county recreation agencies for the development of additional recreation facilities, including restrooms, at the access areas upon signing of a lease.

*Boating activities

Recreators were asked in the surveys if the existing recreational facilities within the Catawba-Wateree system met their recreational needs. For Mountain Island Lake, about 57 percent of Survey A (n=7); 10 percent for Survey B (n=20); 78 percent for Survey C (n=41); and 68 percent for combined Surveys A, B, and C of the respondents stated the existing facilities met their needs. The primary facilities that were indicated as needed at Mountain Island Lake included more boat ramps, marinas, trash receptacles, and restroom facilities. About 29 percent for Survey A (n=7); 40 percent for Survey B (n=20); 83 percent for Survey C (n=41); and 86 percent for combined Surveys A, B, and C felt the existing boating facilities were adequate. The primary boating facilities that were indicated as needed at Mountain Island Lake included marinas, pump out stations, and gas pumps.

About 57 percent for Survey A (n=7); 40 percent for Survey B (n=20); 7 percent for Survey C (n=41); and 22 percent for the combined Surveys A, B, and C indicated they had a negative experience while recreating. About 71 percent for Survey A (n=7); 25 percent for Survey B (n=20); 7 percent for Survey C (n=41); and 19 percent for the combined Surveys A, B, and C (n=68) indicated they had felt jeopardized while recreating. The primary reasons listed for the negative experiences and incidences when recreators felt jeopardized were reckless or inconsiderate boat or jet ski use by other recreators.

In terms of responses to additional comments, many respondents to Surveys A, B, and C stated concerns about the development of the shoreline areas. Also, several respondents stated concern with jet ski use and requested that jet ski use be regulated. When asked if they could change one thing, respondents to Surveys A, B, and C again stated concerns about jet ski use and about increased shoreline development. One respondent to Survey E indicated they would like accessibility to Mountain Island Lake for Mt. Holly Life Saving Crew.