|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Fishing Creek Lake is located downstream of Lake Wylie
southeast of Rock Hill in Lancaster and Chester counties, South Carolina.
Fishing Creek Lake has a surface area of about 3,112 acres and 63.5 shoreline
miles at full pond elevation of 417.2 feet msl. Table 4.8-1 summarizes
the shoreline classification for Fishing Creek Lake.
| Table 4.8-1. |
Shoreline Classification for Fishing Creek Lake
|
|
Shoreline Classification
|
Shoreline Miles
|
Percent of Total
|
|
Commercial /Non-Residential
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
|
Commercial /Residential
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
|
Residential
|
3.3
|
5.0%
|
|
Business Industrial
|
0.1
|
0.0%
|
|
Public Recreation
|
0.2
|
0.0%
|
|
Public Infrastructure
|
1.2
|
2.0%
|
|
Project Operations
|
0.8
|
1.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Non-Residential
|
23.2
|
37.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Residential
|
0.3
|
0.5%
|
|
Future Residential
|
10.9
|
17.0%
|
|
Future Public Recreation
|
3.7
|
6.0%
|
|
Impact Minimization Zones
|
0.6
|
1.0%
|
|
Environmental Area
|
17.1
|
27.0%
|
|
Natural Area
|
2.1
|
3.0%
|
Total
|
63.5
|
100.0%
|
| 4.8.1 |
Fishing Creek Lake Existing
Recreation Areas |
There are two developed Duke Power-owned public recreation
access locations on Fishing Creek Lake. There is one state park facility
and one SCDNR boating access area located along Fishing Creek Lake. Figure
4.8-1 shows the public recreation access locations. There are no public
commercial non-residential or commercial residential marinas located on
Fishing Creek Lake. The following sections describe the Duke-owned public
access area facilities at Fishing Creek Lake.
Existing Duke-Owned Public Access Areas
The developed Duke-owned public access areas provide 25
acres and about 4,395 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Fishing
Creek Lake. Combined, the developed access areas have 2 public boat ramps
and about 93 vehicle/trailer parking spaces. Table 4.8-2 summarizes the
facilities at the public access areas.
Back to Top
|
Click Here
to View Full
Figure 4.8-1
Fishing Creek Lake Public Recreation Access Areas
|
 |
| Table 4.8-2. |
Fishing Creek Lake 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)
|
|
Cane
Creek
|
4.1
|
1,129
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
35
|
|
Fishing
Creek
|
20.4
|
3,266
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
58
|
|
Total
|
24.5
|
4,395
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
93
|
State and County Public Recreation Facilities
There is one state park, Landsford Canal State Park, in
the northern portion of Fishing Creek Lake and one SCDNR boat access area
in the middle portion of Fishing Creek Lake. Table 4.8-3 summarizes the
recreational facilities provided at the Landsford Canal State Park. The
SCDNR boat access provides a parking area and boat launch.
Back to Top
| Table 4.8-3. |
Summary of Landsford Canal State Park Public
Recreation Facilities
|
|
Site Description/Facility
|
Number
|
|
Picnic shelter
|
1
|
|
Community building
|
1
|
|
Picnic tables
|
20
|
|
Nature trail
|
1 mile
|
|
Canoe trail
|
2.5 miles
|
|
Museum
|
1 (by appointment)
|
|
Playground
|
1
|
|
River fishing
|
1
|
Existing Commercial and Private Recreation Access
There are no public commercial non-residential or commercial
residential marinas located on Fishing Creek Lake. Private access to Fishing
Creek Lake is through private marinas and private piers along the Fishing
Creek Lake shoreline. Table 4.8-3 shows the estimated number of private
piers.
| Table 4.8-4. |
Summary of Fishing Creek Lake Private Recreational
Access Facilities
|
|
Type of Facility
|
No. Private Facilities
|
|
Piers
|
110
|
Site-Specific Descriptions of Existing Duke-owned Public Access Areas
at
Fishing Creek Lake
The following section provides a description of each Duke-owned
public access area at Fishing Creek Lake, including a photograph, site
characterisitics, site recreation facilities, and key recreation activities.
Back to Top
Cane Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.8-2. |
Cane Creek Access Area
|
The Cane Creek access area is located in the middle portion
of Fishing Creek Lake along the eastern shoreline in Lancaster County,
South Carolina. Table 4.8-5 summarizes key site characteristics for the
Cane Creek access area.
Back to Top
| Table 4.8-5. |
Summary of Cane Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Cane Creek
|
|
Location
|
Road 296, Lancaster County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
4.1 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
1 boat ramp
|
|
Parking
|
35 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main lake
|
|
Topography
|
Flat slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
1,129 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/SCDNR
|
Fishing Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.8-3. |
Fishing Creek Access Area
|
The Fishing Creek access area is located in the lower
portion of Fishing Creek Lake along the western shoreline, upstream from
the Fishing Creek dam. Table 4.8-6 summarizes key site characteristics
for the Fishing Creek access area.
Back to Top
| Table 4.8-6. |
Summary of Fishing Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Fishing Creek
|
|
Location
|
Highway 21, Chester County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
20.4 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
1 boat ramp, lighting
|
|
Parking
|
58 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main lake and Fishing Creek dam
|
|
Topography
|
Moderate slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
3,266 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/SCDNR
|
| 4.8.2 |
Fishing Creek Lake Recreation
Use Assessment |
Recreation Use
Visitation at the public access areas on Fishing Creek
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 Fishing Creek Lake at these sites was about 58,802 visits.
Figure 4.8-4 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at
Fishing Creek 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.
Back to Top

| Figure 4.8-4. |
Fishing Creek Lake Estimate of Recreation Visitation at the
Duke-Owned Access Areas
|
Table 4.8-7 summarizes the estimated recreation visitation
based on traffic counter data for the sampled sites during the 1999 study
period. Of the recreation visitation on Fishing Creek Lake, about 64 percent
of the recreation visitation occurred at the Fishing Creek access area.
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 1.1 to 1. The estimated
overall recreational visitation for Fishing Creek Lake for the 1999 study
period totaled 64,067 visits.
Click Here
to View Full
| Table 4.8-7 |
Fishing Creek Lake Estimated Recreation Visitation at Duke-Owned
Access Areas
|
Spot counts were conducted at two sites for Fishing Creek
Lake, Cane Creek and Fishing Creek Access areas. Table 4.8-8 lists the
number of sample days per month for the spot count data collection.
Back to Top
| Table 4.8-8 |
Spot Count Data Collection by Month
|
|
Site
|
Month
|
| |
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Cane Creek
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Fishing Creek
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
The total number of surveys received for each survey is
listed in Table 4.8-9. Survey D was conducted of marina operators, therefore
numbers of surveys sent and received were low. Figure 4.8-5 shows the
distribution of recreation activity type for Survey A, Survey B, and Survey
C categories. Figure 4.8-6 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 Fishing Creek Lake during the 1999 study period was bank/pier fishing.
For Fishing Creek Lake, no respondents indicated that they recreated on
the islands.
| Table 4.8-9 |
Total Responses by Survey
|
|
Survey
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
E
|
Total
|
|
N=
|
3
|
4
|
13
|
6
|
26
|

| Figure 4.8-5. |
Fishing Creek Lake Distribution of Recreation Activity Type
from
Survey Data Sources
|
For Fishing Creek Lake, the average party size (average
number of recreators in each party) for respondents to Survey A was 2.3
people, for Survey B was 2.8 people, and for Survey C was 2.0. The average
party size for all three groups (A, B, and C) was 2.2. The average number
of visits per year for Survey B was 51.5 (n=4), for Survey C was 20.8
(n=13), and for combined Survey B and C respondents was 28.1. The average
length of stay for Survey B respondents was 16.5 hours (n=4, range from
4 to 48 hours), for Survey C respondents was 4.8 hours, and for combined
Survey B and C respondents was 7.6 hours. For Survey A and for Survey
B less than 1 percent of the respondents indicated they had land abutting
Fishing Creek Lake.
Back to Top

| Figure 4.8-6. |
Fishing Creek Lake Distribution of Recreation Activity Type
from
all Data Sources
|
Table 4.8-10 summarizes the perceived crowding ratings
for Fishing Creek Lake for each survey type, including a combined rating
for Survey A, B, and C responses. Recreators on Fishing Creek Lake (Surveys
A, B, and C) indicated weekday crowding was about low-range (on a scale
of 1 to 5) and weekend crowding was mid-range. There were no Survey D
responses to the crowding ratings on Fishing Creek Lake. 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.
| Table 4.8-10. |
Fishing Creek Lake Perceived Crowding Ratings
|
| |
Weekday
|
Weekend
|
|
Survey
|
Avg.
of Rating
|
N=
|
Avg.
of Rating
|
N=
|
|
A
|
1.0
|
2
|
1.0
|
2
|
|
B
|
2.3
|
4
|
3.3
|
4
|
|
C
|
3.0
|
4
|
1.6
|
8
|
|
Combined
A,B,C*
|
2.3
|
10
|
2.0
|
14
|
|
D
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
E
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
*Weighted Average.
Back to Top
Boating Use
Figure 4.8-7 shows the distribution of boating activity type for Fishing
Creek Lake based on Surveys A, B, and C individually when c |