|
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 |
|
| 4.9 |
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes are located downstream
of Fishing Creek Lake in Chester, Lancaster, and Fairfield counties, South
Carolina. Great Falls Lake has a surface area of about 477 acres and about
20 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 355.8 feet msl. Rocky Creek
Lake has a surface area of about 847 acres and about 20 shoreline miles
at full pond elevation of 284.4 feet msl. See Table 4.9-1 for the shoreline
classification for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes.
| Table 4.9-1. |
Shoreline Classification for Great Falls and Rocky Creek
Lakes
|
|
Shoreline Classification
|
Shoreline Miles
|
Percent of Total
|
|
Commercial /Non-Residential
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
|
Commercial /Residential
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
|
Residential
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
|
Business Industrial
|
0.1
|
0.0%
|
|
Public Recreation
|
0.1
|
0.0%
|
|
Public Infrastructure
|
1.3
|
3.0%
|
|
Project Operations
|
8.1
|
20.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Non-Residential
|
4.6
|
11.0%
|
|
Future Commercial/Residential
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
|
Future Residential
|
2.2
|
5.0%
|
|
Future Public Recreation
|
11.6
|
29.0%
|
|
Impact Minimization Zones
|
0.6
|
1.0%
|
|
Environmental Area
|
5.1
|
13.0%
|
|
Natural Area
|
6.7
|
17.0%
|
Total
|
40.6
|
100.0%
|
| 4.9.1 |
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes Existing Recreation Areas |
There are two developed Duke Power owned public recreation
access locations on Rocky Creek Lake and no public access to Great Falls
Lake (see Figure 4.9-1). There are no public commercial non-residential
or commercial residential marinas, and no private piers on Great Falls
or Rocky Creek Lakes.
Back to Top
Existing Duke-Owned Public Access Areas
The developed Duke-owned public access areas provide 21.3
acres and about 2,046 feet of shoreline frontage of public access on Rocky
Creek Lake and none on Great Falls Lake. Combined, the developed access
areas have 2 public boat ramps and about 43 parking spaces. Table 4.9-2
summarizes the facilities at the public access areas.
|
Click Here
to View Full
Figure 4.9-1
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Public Recreation Access Areas
|
 |
| Table 4.9-2. |
Rocky Creek Lake Duke-Owned Public Access Areas
|
|
Access Area Name
|
Acreage
|
Shoreline Front. (ft)
|
Boat
Ramps
|
Loading
Piers
|
Fishing
Piers
|
Car
Parking
(Spaces)
|
V/T
Parking
(Spaces)
|
|
Stumpy
Pond
|
13
|
374
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
23
|
|
Debutary
Creek
|
8.3
|
1,672
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
20
|
|
Total
|
21.3
|
2,046
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
43
|
Back to Top
Site Specific Descriptions of Existing Duke-owned Public Access Areas
at
Rocky Creek Lake
The following section provides a description of each Duke-owned
public access area on Rocky Creek Lake (there are no Duke-owned public
access areas on Great Falls Lake), including a photograph, site characterisitics,
site recreation facilities, and key recreation activities.
Stumpy Pond Access Area

| Figure 4.9-2. |
Stumpy Pond Access Area
|
The Stumpy Pond access area is located in the lower portion
of Rocky Creek Lake along the eastern shoreline, in Lancaster County,
South Carolina. Table 4.9-3 summarizes key site characteristics for the
Stumpy Pond access area.
Back to Top
| Table 4.9-3. |
Summary of Stumpy Pond Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Stumpy Pond
|
|
Location
|
Road 20, Lancaster County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
13 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
1 boat ramp
|
|
Parking
|
23 paved vehicle/trailer parking
spaces
|
|
ADA Facilities
|
None
|
|
Key Recreation Activities
|
Boating, fishing
|
|
Recreation Access Fees
|
None
|
|
Key Views
|
Main lake
|
|
Topography
|
Steep slope
|
|
Vegetation
|
Mixed conifers and hardwoods
|
|
Shoreline Footage
|
374 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/SCDNR
|
Debutary Creek Access Area

| Figure 4.9-3. |
Debutary Creek Access Area
|
The Debutary Creek access area is located in the lower
portion of Rocky Creek Lake in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Table
4.9-4 summarizes key site characteristics for the Debutary Creek access
area.
Back to Top
| Table 4.9-4. |
Summary of Debutary Creek Access Area Site Characteristics
|
|
Site Name
|
Debutary Creek
|
|
Location
|
Road 268, Fairfield County, SC
|
|
Site Acreage
|
8.3 acres
|
|
Site Facilities
|
1 boat ramp, lighting
|
|
Parking
|
20 gravel 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
|
1,672 feet
|
|
Ownership/Lease
|
Duke Power/SCDNR
|
| 4.9.2 |
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes Recreation Use Assessment |
Recreation Use
Visitation at the public access areas on Great Falls and
Rocky Creek Lakes was derived based on estimates of the traffic entering
the Duke-owned public access areas. Total estimated visitation during
the 1999 study period for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes at these sites
was about 23,447 visits. Figure 4.9-4 shows the distribution of the visitation
for each month at Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes 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.

| Figure 4.9-4. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Estimate of Recreation
Visitation at the Duke-Owned Access Areas
|
Table 4.9-5 provides a summary of the estimated recreation
visitation based on the traffic counter data for the sampled sites during
the 1999 study period. There are no private piers on Great Falls or Rocky
Creek Lakes. Therefore, the total visitation estimate is based on the
visitation at the public access areas that was estimated at 23,447 visits.
Back to Top
Click Here
to View Full
| Table 4.9-5 |
Rocky Creek Lakes Estimated Recreation Visitation at Duke-Owned
Access Areas
|
Spot counts were conducted at two sites for Rocky Creek
Lake, Debutary, and Stumpy Pond Access areas. Table 4.9-6 lists the number
of sample days per month for the spot count data collection.
| Table 4.9-6 |
Spot Count Data Collection Sites by Month
|
|
|
Month
|
| |
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Debutary
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
|
Stumpy Pond
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
The total number of surveys received for each survey is
listed in Table 4.9-7. Survey D was conducted of marina operators, therefore
numbers of surveys sent and received were low. Figure 4.9-5 shows the
distribution of recreation activity type for Survey C. No respondents
to Surveys A (there are no residences on either lake) and B provided any
comments on Great Falls or Rocky Creek Lakes. Figure 4.9-6 shows the distribution
of recreation activity type combining data from Surveys C, spot counts
and tailrace counts. Based on the combined data sources, the primary recreation
activities for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes during the 1999 study
period were boat fishing and bank/pier fishing. No respondents indicated
they recreated on the islands. For Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes,
the average party size (average number of recreators in each party) for
respondents to Survey C was 2.5 people. The average length of stay for
Survey C respondents was 4.7 hours, and the average number of visits was
26.4 annually.
| Table 4.9-7 |
Total Responses by Survey
|
|
Survey
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
E
|
Total
|
|
N=
|
0
|
0
|
12
|
1
|
13
|

Back to Top
| Figure 4.9-5. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Distribution of Recreation
Activity Type from Survey Data Sources
|

| Figure 4.9-6. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Distribution of Recreation
Activity Type from all Data Sources
|
Table 4.9-8 summarizes the perceived crowding ratings
for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes for Survey C responses. Recreators
on Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes indicated that weekday and weekend
crowding was low-range (on a scale of 1 to 5). There were no Survey D
responses to the crowding ratings on Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes.
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 4.9-8. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Perceived Crowding
Ratings
|
| |
Weekday
|
Weekend
|
|
Survey
|
Avg.
of Rating
|
N=
|
Avg.
of Rating
|
N=
|
|
A
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
B
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
C
|
2.4
|
5
|
1.5
|
4
|
|
Combined
A,B,C*
|
2.4
|
5
|
1.5
|
4
|
|
D
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
|
E
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
*Weighted Average
Back to Top
Boating Use
Figure 4.9-7 shows the distribution of boating activity
type for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes based on Survey C comparing
the percentage of each boating activity type to the overall boating use.
The average boating party size was 2.4 for Survey C. The average number
of hours boating was 4.5 hours for Survey C. Of the individuals surveyed
who primarily recreated on Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes, 83 percent
of the Survey C respondents (n=12) owned boats.

| Figure 4.9-7. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Distribution of Boating
Use
|
Table 4.9-9 summarizes the distribution of boat ownership
by type of boat for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes based on Survey
C data (n=12) (no Survey A or Survey B data were received). Motor boats
comprised about 53 percent of the boat ownership, compared to the other
boat categories, followed by jet skis at about 18 percent. The ownership
of motor boat types was about 18 percent small motor boats (ranging 20
feet or less in size) and about 35 percent medium motor boats (ranging
between 21 to 40 feet in size).
| Table 4.9-8. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Boat Ownership Type
|
|
Survey
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
Combined
|
|
N=
|
NA
|
NA
|
12
|
NA
|
|
Motor Boat SM
|
NA
|
NA
|
18%
|
NA
|
|
Motor Boat MD
|
NA
|
NA
|
35%
|
NA
|
|
Motor Boat LG
|
NA
|
NA
|
0%
|
NA
|
|
Canoe
|
NA
|
NA
|
24%
|
NA
|
|
Kayak
|
NA
|
NA
|
0%
|
NA
|
|
Sailboat
|
NA
|
NA
|
6%
|
NA
|
|
Jet Ski
|
NA
|
NA
|
18%
|
NA
|
|
Other Boats
|
NA
|
NA
|
0%
|
NA
|
|
Total
|
NA
|
NA
|
100%
|
NA
|
Figure 4.9-8 shows the period of the day the respondents
indicated they primarily boated, for Survey C. For Survey C about 1.5
percent of the respondents launched boats at Great Falls and Rocky Creek
Lakes compared to the other lakes within the Catawba-Wateree system.
Back to Top

| Figure 4.9-8. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Boating Period Distribution
|
| 4.9.3 |
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment |
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 4.9-10) by the following
factors (Warren and Rea, 1989):
| Factor |
Adjustment
|
| 1. |
Location of the lake in relation to population
served |
0
|
| 2. |
Multiple use of water area |
-
|
|
3.
|
Shoreline configuration |
-
|
| 4. |
Amount of open water |
-
|
| 5. |
Amount of facility and shoreline development |
-
|
| 6. |
Crowding rating |
0
|
| |
Total
|
-4
|
Back to Top
| Table 4.9-10. |
Boat Type Acreage Adjustment
(Source: Modified from Warren and Rea, 1989)
|
|
Boat Activity Type
|
Low
|
-4
|
-3
|
-2
|
-1
|
Base
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
High
|
|
Fishing
|
10.0
|
9.0
|
8.0
|
6.0
|
5.0
|
4.3
|
4.0
|
3.3
|
3.0
|
2.3
|
2.0
|
|
Canoe/Kayak
|
2.5
|
2.3
|
2.0
|
1.8
|
1.5
|
1.3
|
1.1
|
1.0
|
0.8
|
0.7
|
0.5
|
|
Motor
Boating
|
18.0
|
17.0
|
15.0
|
13.0
|
11.0
|
9.0
|
8.0
|
7.0
|
6.0
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
|
Sailing
|
10.0
|
9.0
|
8.0
|
6.0
|
5.0
|
4.3
|
4.0
|
3.3
|
3.0
|
2.3
|
2.0
|
|
Jet
Skiing
|
10.0
|
9.0
|
8.0
|
6.0
|
5.0
|
4.3
|
4.0
|
3.3
|
3.0
|
2.3
|
2.0
|
|
Water
Skiing
|
20.0
|
18.0
|
17.0
|
15.0
|
14.0
|
12.0
|
11.0
|
10.0
|
9.0
|
8.0
|
7.0
|
Table 4.9-11 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. Because no respondents
commenting on the Great Falls Lakes for Surveys A and B, the percent usage
distribution values were substituted from Mountain Island Lake. Table
4.9-12 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use
for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes on the peak day during the 1999
study period. Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes during the weekday was
estimated at 2 percent capacity, during the weekend at 6 percent capacity,
and during the peak holiday period at 8 percent capacity for overall boating
use.
| Table 4.9-11. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Boat Carrying Capacity
Assessment
|
|
Boat Activity
|
Usable Acreage
|
Use Factor
|
Max. No. Boats
|
% Usage
|
Activity Mix
|
Persons/ Boat
|
Total Users
|
|
Fishing
|
1,014
|
9.0
|
113
|
40%
|
45
|
3.14
|
141
|
|
Canoe/Kayak
|
1,014
|
2.3
|
441
|
11%
|
49
|
3.26
|
160
|
|
Motor
Boating
|
821
|
17.0
|
48
|
32%
|
15
|
3.90
|
60
|
|
Sailing
|
821
|
9.0
|
91
|
0%
|
-
|
3.36
|
-
|
|
Jet
Skiing
|
821
|
9.0
|
91
|
8%
|
8
|
3.85
|
29
|
|
Water
Skiing
|
821
|
18.0
|
46
|
9%
|
4
|
4.39
|
19
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
100%
|
121
|
|
409
|
| Table 4.9-12. |
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Estimated 1999 Study
Period Boat Capacity
|
|
Peak use
|
Weekday
|
% Capacity
|
Weekend
|
% Capacity
|
Holiday
|
% Capacity
|
|
No.
Boats
|
3
|
2%
|
7
|
6%
|
10
|
8%
|
Back to Top
The overall boat carrying capacity assessment provides
an assessment of the total surface area for available 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 4.9-9 shows the location of boats
during the peak use day for Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes. Figure
4.9-10 shows the boating density on Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes
for the peak use day and areas with the greatest clustering of boating
activity occurred. Figure 4.9-11 shows the boat density map based on the
composite of the four highest boating use days. This figure shows the
areas with the most boating use 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 4.9-9
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Peak Use Day Boat Counts
|
 |
|
Click Here
to View Full
Figure 4.9-10
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Peak Use Day Boat Density Map
|
 |
|
Click Here
to View Full
Figure 4.9-11
Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Composite Peak Use Boat
Density Map
|
 |
Back to Top
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Estimated Future Recreational
Demand
Table 4.9-13 provides the population projections for the
counties within 50-60 miles of Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake reservoir.
Population projections were conducted for the impact zone using a combination
of 1970 - 1990 population data and 2000 and 2010 population projections
from U.S. Census Bureau data; these figures were projected through the
year 2050.
| Table 4.9-13. |
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Estimated Population
Projections for the Impact Zonev
|
|
County
|
1999
|
2000
|
2010
|
2020
|
2030
|
2040
|
2050
|
|
Mecklenburg
|
583,475
|
648,305
|
776,521
|
909,800
|
1,099,403
|
1,328,519
|
1,605,383
|
|
Cabarrus
|
111,064
|
123,404
|
144,126
|
165,168
|
193,710
|
227,183
|
266,441
|
|
Lincoln
|
54,839
|
60,932
|
70,132
|
79,229
|
94,689
|
113,166
|
135,248
|
|
Gaston
|
164,090
|
182,322
|
186,268
|
189,339
|
198,875
|
208,891
|
219,412
|
|
Union
|
27,720
|
30,800
|
30,800
|
33,880
|
33,532
|
33,188
|
32,847
|
|
York
|
144,990
|
161,100
|
198,600
|
214,710
|
258,662
|
311,612
|
375,401
|
|
Cherokee
|
44,370
|
49,400
|
53,300
|
58,230
|
63,835
|
69,980
|
76,717
|
|
Chester
|
30,690
|
34,100
|
36,100
|
39,150
|
41,354
|
43,682
|
46,142
|
|
Lancaster
|
51,750
|
57,500
|
58,500
|
64,250
|
69,694
|
75,598
|
82,003
|
|
Total
|
1,212,987
|
1,347,863
|
1,554,347
|
1,753,756
|
2,053,754
|
2,411,819
|
2,839,594
|
Table 4.9-14 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.
Back to Top
Table 4.9-15 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 4.9-14. 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 4.9-16 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 Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes. The
acreage needs are then based on the Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes
facility need multiplied by per unit acreage needs that are based on State
SCORPS and FERC Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation Facilities. Great Falls
and Rocky Creek Lakes are relatively remote areas that offer a more primitive
experience. The number of roads that access areas near the shoreline is
low, especially on the eastern side of the lake. The lakes receive relatively
low levels of use for most activities and no camping occurs. More than
one-quarter of the shoreline has been set aside for future public recreation.
It would be anticipated that much of this land would remain in an undeveloped
state to be used by the public for activities such as bank fishing that
do not require large scale facilities. For Great Falls and Rocky Creek
Lakes, it is estimated that 2 acres are required to accommodate future
recreational facilities demand through the year 2050. This includes 0
acres of beaches, 1 acres of picnic areas, 0 acres of campsites, and 1
acre of boat ramps.
The estimated acreage needs for the reservoir are total
usable acreage needs. Usable land acreage at existing recreational facilities
can be counted toward meeting 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.
Back to Top
For Rocky Creek Lake, the most frequently identified recreational
facility needs mentioned were for picnic tables and better boat ramps.
Duke Power does not propose to install picnic tables at either of the
sites because of the potential vandalism that could occur at unsupervised
access areas. Duke Power has planned for the improvement of the Stumpy
Pond access area during the next five-year period. In addition Duke Power
relocated the Debutary boat ramp because of silting problems at the old
ramp location.
| Table 4.9-14. |
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Estimated Future
Recreational Use
|
|
Activity
|
Est. 1999 Rec Use
|
Rec Use 2010
|
Rec Use 2020
|
Rec Use 2030
|
Rec Use 2040
|
Rec Use 2050
|
|
Motor
Boating*
|
1,465
|
1,705
|
1,957
|
2,315
|
2,780
|
3,358
|
|
Boat
Fishing*
|
13,189
|
16,373
|
19,653
|
23,822
|
28,040
|
32,338
|
|
Bank/Pier
Fish
|
1,465
|
1,819
|
2,184
|
2,647
|
3,116
|
3,593
|
|
Lake
Swimming
|
2,931
|
3,563
|
4,230
|
5,152
|
6,345
|
7,880
|
|
Canoeing*
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Jet
Skiing*
|
1,465
|
1,705
|
1,957
|
2,315
|
2,780
|
3,358
|
|
Kayaking*
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Tailrace
Fishing
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Sailing*
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Water
Ski/Tubing*
|
1,465
|
1,705
|
1,957
|
2,315
|
2,780
|
3,358
|
|
Backpacking
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Hunting
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Tent/Vehicle
Camp
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Windsurfing
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Bicycling
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Picnicking
|
1,465
|
1,854
|
2,295
|
2,907
|
3,689
|
4,682
|
|
Sightseeing
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Hiking
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Wildlife
Viewing
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Using
Playgrounds
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Sub-total*
|
17,584
|
21,488
|
25,524
|
30,767
|
36,380
|
42,412
|
|
Total
|
23,447
|
28,724
|
34,233
|
41,473
|
49,530
|
58,567
|
*Boating Activities
| Table 4.9-15. |
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Estimated Absorption
Percentages for Reservoir
|
|
Activity
|
Estimated
1999 Participants
|
Estimated
1999 Demand
|
Absorption
Percentage
|
|
Swimming
|
1,465
|
2,994,294
|
0.1%
|
|
Picnicking
|
2,931
|
4,817,900
|
0.1%
|
|
Camping
|
0
|
1,166,381
|
0%
|
|
Boating
|
17,584
|
3,002,142
|
0.6%
|
Back to Top
| Table 4.9-16. |
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Estimated Recreational
Facility Land Acreage Needs
|
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
|
Activity
|
Year
|
Weighted Population
|
Facility Standard
|
Facility Need
|
Facility Class
|
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Share
|
Acreage
|
|
Swimming
|
2010
|
579,771
|
1 per 50,000
|
11.60
|
beaches
|
0.01
|
0.06
|
| |
2020
|
654,151
|
1 per 50,000
|
13.08
|
beaches
|
0.01
|
0.07
|
| |
2030
|
766,050
|
1 per 50,000
|
15.32
|
beaches
|
0.02
|
0.08
|
| |
2040
|
899,609
|
1 per 50,000
|
17.99
|
beaches
|
0.02
|
0.10
|
| |
2050
|
1,037,497
|
1 per 50,000
|
20.75
|
beaches
|
0.02
|
0.12
|
|
Picnicking
|
2010
|
696,347
|
1 per 500
|
1,392.69
|
tables
|
1.39
|
0.14
|
| |
2020
|
785,683
|
1 per 500
|
1,571.37
|
tables
|
1.57
|
0.16
|
| |
2030
|
920,082
|
1 per 500
|
1,840.16
|
tables
|
1.84
|
0.18
|
| |
2040
|
1,080,495
|
1 per 500
|
2,160.99
|
tables
|
2.16
|
0.22
|
| |
2050
|
1,246,109
|
1 per 500
|
2,492.22
|
tables
|
2.54
|
0.25
|
|
Camping
|
2010
|
348,174
|
6 per 1,000
|
2,089.04
|
campsites
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
| |
2020
|
392,841
|
6 per 1,000
|
2,357.05
|
campsites
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
| |
2030
|
460,041
|
6 per 1,000
|
2,760.25
|
campsites
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
| |
2040
|
540,248
|
6 per 1,000
|
3,241.49
|
campsites
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
| |
2050
|
623,054
|
6 per 1,000
|
3,738.33
|
campsites
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Boating
|
2010
|
699,456
|
1 per 4000
|
174.86
|
boat
ramps
|
0.70
|
0.70
|
| |
2020
|
789,190
|
1 per 4000
|
197.30
|
boat
ramps
|
0.79
|
0.79
|
| |
2030
|
924,189
|
1 per 4000
|
231.05
|
boat
ramps
|
0.92
|
0.92
|
| |
2040
|
1,085,319
|
1 per 4000
|
271.33
|
boat
ramps
|
1.09
|
1.09
|
| |
2050
|
1,251,672
|
1 per 4000
|
312.92
|
boat
ramps
|
1.28
|
1.28
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Total Acreage for 2050
|
1.65
|
| 4.9.4 |
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes Survey Respondent Comments |
Recreators were asked in the surveys if the existing recreational
facilities within the Catawba-Wateree system met their recreational needs.
For Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes comments were only received from
Survey C respondents. As indicated previously, no comments were received
from Survey A and Survey B respondents regarding Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes. For Survey C respondents (n=12), 100 percent of the respondents
stated that the existing facilities met their needs. In response to whether
additional boating facilities were needed, 100 percent of the Survey C
respondents (n=12), felt that the existing boating facilities were adequate.
No respondents to Survey C indicated
they had a negative experience while recreating at Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes. Only 8 percent (one individual) of the respondents for Survey
C (n=12) indicated they had felt jeopardized while recreating, and that
was the result of the recreator almost hitting a downed tree when boating.
The only additional comment was to add more picnic areas. When asked if
they could change one thing, respondents to Survey C stated they would
like to see more rest room facilities, better boat ramps, more parking
areas, and more trash and litter pick-up. No comments were received from
Surveys D and E regarding Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes.
|