|
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 Wylie, the third largest reservoir in the Catawba-Wateree
system, is located southwest of Charlotte in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties,
North Carolina and York County, South Carolina. Lake Wylie has a surface
area of about 13,433 acres and 314.7 shoreline miles at full pond elevation
of 569.4 feet msl. Table 4.7-1 summarizes the shoreline classification,
based on the SMP maps.
| Table 4.7-1. |
Shoreline Classification for Lake Wylie
|
|
Shoreline Classification
|
Shoreline Miles
|
Percent of Total
|
|
Commercial /Non-Residential
|
7.2
|
2.0%
|
|
Commercial /Residential
|
1.9
|
1.0%
|
|
Residential
|
129.1
|
41.0%
|
|
Business Industrial
|
3.6
|
1.0%
|
|
Public Recreation
|
3.4
|
1.0%
|
|
Public Infrastructure
|
16.2
|
5.0%
|
|
Project Operations
|
1.5
|
0.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Non-Residential
|
10.8
|
3.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Residential
|
23.0
|
7.0%
|
|
Future Residential
|
14.9
|
5.0%
|
|
Future Public Recreation
|
9.9
|
3.0%
|
|
Impact Minimization Zones
|
9.3
|
3.0%
|
|
Environmental Area
|
61.7
|
20.0%
|
|
Natural Area
|
22.2
|
7.0%
|
Total
|
314.8
|
100.0%
|
| 4.7.1 |
Lake Wylie Existing
Recreation Areas |
There are nine developed Duke Power owned public recreation
access locations, with three leased to agencies, on Lake Wylie. There
are several developed county and city parks including: McDowell Nature
Preserve, owned and operated by Mecklenburg County; River Street Park,
owned and operated by the City of Mount Holly; Wind Jammer Beach and Pitcarin
Parks, owned by the City of Tega Cay; and the Stowe Botanical Garden.
There are three undeveloped county parks owned by Mecklenburg County.
Figure 4.7-shows the public recreation access locations. In addition,
there are 11 commercial non-residential and no commercial residential
marinas that provide additional public access on Lake Wylie.
The Copperhead Access Area is operated as part of McDowell
County Nature Preserve that is owned by Mecklenburg County. Ebenezer Access
Area is operated by York County as a county park. The City of Rock Hill
has the Indian Ground Access Area leased for fishing use by special populations.
A recent major addition to public recreation on Lake Wylie was the creation
of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden on the South Fork arm of the lake. This
facility consists of 450 acres of land that has the gardens being developed
over a 20-year period.
|
Click Here
to View Full
Figure 4.7-1
Lake Wylie Public Recreation Access Areas
|
 |
Existing Duke-Owned Public Access Areas
The developed Duke-owned public access areas provide about
333 acres and about 27,803 feet of shoreline frontage of public access
at Lake Wylie. Combined, the developed access areas have 24 public boat
ramps, 12 loading piers, 4 fishing piers and about 568 parking spaces
for vehicles/trailers and 305 parking spaces for cars. Table 4.7-2 summarizes
the facilities at the public access areas.
In the 1994 SMP, Duke Power proposed to improve the Allen
Fishing area (provide handicapped accessibility), Buster Boyd access area
(replace the two 2-lane ramps with 6 new boat ramps and replace the pier
with 3 new piers) and Nivens Creek access area (expand and pave the parking
lot). In addition, Duke Power said it would add 36 acres to the South
Point site (54 acres added), add 98 acres to the Allison Creek access
area (59 added), add 25 acres to the Fort Mill site (40 acres added) and
add 8 acres to the Nivens Creek site (13 acres added). All of the recreation
commitments from the 1994 SMP have been met except for two ramps and one
pier at Buster Boyd (because there was insufficient parking) and the expansion
and paving of Nivens Creek (because of building code problems).
| Table 4.7-2. |
Lake Wylie 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)
|
|
Allen Fish
Area
|
21.0
|
1,919
|
|
0
|
0
|
29
|
0
|
|
South Point
|
70.0
|
6,747
|
6
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
165
|
|
Copperhead
|
25.3
|
3,225
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
25
|
72
|
|
Buster Boyd
|
4.4
|
632
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
51
|
119
|
|
Allison
Creek
|
113.0
|
8,653
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
15
|
90
|
|
Indian Ground
|
9.8
|
2,340
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
25
|
0
|
|
Nivens Creek
|
23.2
|
871
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
32
|
|
Ebenezer
|
20.8
|
1,374
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
160
|
70
|
|
Fort Mill
|
45.5
|
2,042
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
20
|
|
Total
|
333.0
|
27,803
|
24
|
12
|
4
|
305
|
568
|
County and City Public Recreation Facilities
Table 4.7-3 summarizes the site acreage, shoreline footage
and recreational facilities provided at the County Recreational Facilities.
There are a total of 3 County facilities and 3 City Parks.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a family oriented, educational
facility comprised of prime rolling meadows, woodlands, and lakefront
property. It began in 1989 when retired Belmont textile executive, Daniel
Jonathan Stowe, set aside 450 acres for the development of a world class
botanical garden.
In October 1999, the Garden proudly opened a new 110-acre
facility that includes four themed gardens, a 13,500 square foot Visitor
Pavilion, fountains, entrance ponds, expanded Gift and Garden Shop, and
half-mile Woodland Trail. The new gardens are a part of a Master Plan
designed by landscape architect Geoffrey Rausch that will evolve over
several decades. The completed Botanical Garden will include a conservatory
complex, rose pavilion, Asian and English gardens, natural wetland, children's
garden, restaurant, outdoor amphitheater, and lakefront access.
Approximately three miles of the Garden lies along the
eastern shoreline of the Catawba Creek arm of Lake Wylie. The planned
watercraft entrance will enable visitors to rent a slip where they can
park their boat for a certain number of hours per day. This will be the
water terminus of the garden's tram route. Visitors will be able to ride
the length of site, or they may disembark from the tram at exit points
in between.
When fully completed the Garden will represent an investment
of $150-$200 million, employ over 300 people and entertain one million
visitors a year, adding more than $36 million to the regional economy.
| Table 4.7-3. |
Summary of County Recreational Facilities
|
|
McDowell County Park
|
Copperhead
Island
|
Ebenezer
Park
|
|
952 Acres
|
25 Acres
|
26 Acres
|
|
5500 Feet of shoreline
|
3225 Feet of shoreline
|
1374 Feet of Shoreline
|
|
1 Amphitheater
|
4 Boat ramps
|
3 Boat ramps
|
|
80 Campsites
|
3 Floating loading piers
|
1 Floating loading pier with 4 slips
|
|
2 Concession Areas
|
72 Paved trailer parking spaces
|
70 Paved trailer parking spaces
|
|
1 Gazebo
|
25 Paved vehicle parking spaces
|
160 Paved vehicle parking spaces
|
|
1 Information Booth
|
1 Volleyball Court
|
17 Picnic tables
|
|
1 Maintenance Facility
|
1 Picnic Shelter
|
5 Picnic shelters with 13 tables
|
|
1 Nature Center
|
2 Restroom facilities
|
2 Restroom facilities
|
|
1 Office Complex
|
2 Fishing piers (1 handicapped accessible)
|
1 Swimming area
|
|
1 Police boathouse
|
14 Tent campsites
|
1 Bathhouse with concessions/change room
|
|
1 Paddleboat Rental Area
|
6 Overlooks
|
1 Rangers residence
|
|
210 Paved Parking Spaces
|
5 Miles of trail
|
1 Maintenance facility
|
|
37 Picnic Sites
|
1200 Feet of boardwalk for fishing
|
1 Entrance station
|
|
1 Playground
|
1 Entrance station
|
|
|
1 Ranger Residence
|
|
|
|
14 Restroom Units
|
|
|
|
1 Picnic Shelter
|
|
|
|
6 Miles of Nature Trail
|
|
|
The three city parks, River Street Park, Wind Jammer Beach
Park and Pitcarin Cove Park, are located on Lake Wylie. Table 4.7-4 summarizes
the key characteristics of these facilities.
| Table 4.7-4. |
Summary of City Public Recreation Facilities
|
|
River Street Park
|
Wind
Jammer Beach Park
|
Pitcarin
Cove Park
|
|
2 boardwalks
|
7 picnic tables
|
6 picnic tables
|
|
Nine park benches
|
1 sandy beach
|
1 boat ramp
|
|
Three grills
|
1 picnic shelter
|
1 picnic shelter
|
|
Playground
|
2 restrooms
|
2 restrooms
|
|
Covered picnic area
|
1 playground
|
1 playground
|
|
Two picnic tables
|
Paved and gravel parking lot for 25 cars
|
Paved parking lot for 15 cars
|
Existing Commercial and Private Recreation Access
In addition to the Duke-owned public access areas and
the state, county and city parks, the public can gain access to Lake Wylie
through commercial non-residential and commercial residential marinas.
Private access to Lake Wylie is through private marinas and private piers
along the Lake Wylie shoreline. Table 4.7-5 summarizes the number and
type of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential
marina facilities. Table 4.7-6 summarizes the estimated number of private
piers.
| Table 4.7-5. |
Summary of Lake Wylie Commercial Recreational Access
Facilities
|
|
Type of Facility
|
Commercial
Non-Residential
|
Commercial
Residential
|
|
Public Marinas
|
11
|
0
|
|
Private Marinas
|
11
|
15
|
|
Wet Slips
|
1,026
|
573
|
|
Dry Slips
|
400
|
0
|
| Table 4.7-6. |
Summary of Lake Wylie Private Recreational Access Facilities
|
|
Type of Facility
|
No. Private Facilities
|
|
Piers
|
3,108
|
Site Specific Descriptions of Existing Duke-owned Public Access Areas
at Lake Wylie
The following section provides a description of each Duke-owned
public access area at Lkae Wylie, including a photograph, site characterisitics,
site recreation facilities, and key recreation activities.
Allen Fishing Area

| Figure 4.7-2. |
Allen Fishing Area
|
The Allen Fishing Area is located in the upper portion
of Lake Wylie near the Allen Steam Station in Gaston County, North Carolina.
Table 4.7-7 summarizes key site characteristics for the Allen Fishing
Area.
| Table 4.7-7. |
Summary of Allen Fishing Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Allen Fishing Area
|
|
Location
|
Road 2798, Gaston County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
21acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
Lighting
|
|
Parking
|
29 paved car parking spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Bank fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
South Fork arm of lake
|
|
Topography
|
Flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
1,919 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/NCWRC
|
South Point Access Area

| Figure 4.7-3. |
South Point Access Area
|
The South Point access area is located in the upper portion
of Lake Wylie in Gaston County, North Carolina, just north of the South
Carolina state line. Table 4.7-8 summarizes key site characteristics for
the South Point access area
| Table 4.7-8. |
Summary of South Point Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
South Point
|
|
Location
|
South Point Road, Gaston County,
NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
70 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
6 boat ramps, 3 loading piers,
lighting
|
|
Parking
|
165 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, boat and bank fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main lake
|
|
Topography
|
Moderate/flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Predominantly wooded, mixed hardwoods
and conifers
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
6,747 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/ NCWRC
|
Copperhead Access Area

| Figure 4.7-4. |
Copperhead Access Area
|
The Copperhead access area is located in the middle portion
of Lake Wylie on the eastern shoreline, near McDowell Park in Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina. Table 4.7-9 summarizes key site characteristics
for the Copperhead access area. This site is leased to Mecklenburg County.
| Table 4.7-9. |
Summary of Copperhead Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Copperhead
|
|
Location
|
Road 1333,Mecklenburg County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
25.3 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
4 boat ramps, 3 loading piers,
2 fishing piers, 1 volleyball court, 1 picnic shelter, 2 restroom
facilities, 14 tent campsites, 6 overlooks, 5 miles of trails, 1,200
feet of boardwalk for fishing, 1 entrance station
|
|
Parking
|
72 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces, 25 paved car parking spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Fishing pier
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, fishing, camping, picnicking
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
Yes/Mecklenburg County
|
|
Key Views
|
Main lake
|
|
Topography
|
Moderate slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
3,225 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/Mecklenburg County
|
Buster Boyd Access Area

| Figure 4.7-5. |
Buster Boyd Access Area
|
The Buster Boyd access area is located in the middle portion
of Lake Wylie in York County, South Carolina near McDowell Park in Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina. Table 4.7-10 summarizes key site characteristics
for the Buster Boyd access area.
| Table 4.7-10. |
Summary of Buster Boyd Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Buster Boyd
|
|
Location
|
Highway 49, York County, NC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
4.4 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
4 boat ramps, 2 loading piers,
lighting
|
|
Parking
|
119 vehicle/trailer and 51 car
paved parking spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Loading piers
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main lake
|
|
Topography
|
Flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Open grass areas
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
632 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/SCDNR
|
Allison Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.7-6. |
Allison Creek Access Area
|
The Allison Creek access area is located in the lower
portion of Lake Wylie in York County, South Carolina. Table 4.7-11 summarizes
key site characteristics for the Allison Creek access area.
| Table 4.7-11. |
Summary of Allison Creek Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Allison Creek
|
|
Location
|
Viesta Road, York County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
113 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
4 boat ramps, 2 loading piers,
1 fishing pier, lighting
|
|
Parking
|
90 paved vehicle/trailer and 15
car paved parking spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Fishing pier, loading piers
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, bank and pier fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
From fishing pier and boat ramp
areas
|
|
Topography
|
Moderate to steep slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
8,653 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/SCDNR
|
Indian Ground Access Area

| Figure 4.7-7. |
Indian Ground Access Area
|
The Indian Ground access area is located in the lower
portion of Lake Wylie, in York County, South Carolina. Table 4.7-12 summarizes
key site characteristics for the Indian Ground access area. The site is
leased to the City of Rock Hill and is only open when they take groups
to the site.
| Table 4.7-12. |
Summary of Indian Ground Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Indian Ground
|
|
Location
|
Concord Road, York County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
9.8 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
1 fishing pier
|
|
Parking
|
25 paved car parking spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
Fishing platform
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Bank and pier fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
From fishing platform
|
|
Topography
|
Moderate slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
2,340 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/City of Rock Hill
|
Nivens Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.7-8. |
Nivens Creek Access Area
|
The Nivens Creek access area is located in the lower portion
of Lake Wylie along the eastern shoreline near Tega Cay, South Carolina.
Table 4.7-13 summarizes key site characteristics for the Nivens Creek
access area.
| Table 4.5-13. |
Summary of Nivens Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Nivens Creek
|
|
Location
|
Road 99, York County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
23.2 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
2 boat ramps, 1loading pier, lighting
|
|
Parking
|
32 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, boat and bank fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Small cove from launch area
|
|