Duke Power

Section 1.0	Section 2.0	Section 3.0	Section 4.0	Section 5.0	Section 6.0
Maps Table of Contents		Report Table of Contents		Appendicies Table of Contents
Appendix B

Final Shoreline Management
Plan Update for the
Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project

(FERC No. 2232)

Appendix B

Submitted by:
Duke Power, A Division of
Duke Energy Corporation

Group Environment
Health & Safety
Lake Management

July 30, 2001

Prepared by:

Needham, MA

Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Project Area Description
1.2 Purpose and Content of the Study
2.0 Methodology
2.1 Data Collection
2.1.1 Mail Surveys and Interviews
2.1.2 Traffic Counts, Spot Counts, and Tailrace Counts
2.1.3 Flyovers
2.1.4 Existing Recreation Areas and Facilities
2.2 Data Analysis
2.2.1 Recreation Use Assessment
2.2.2 Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
2.2.3 Recreation Demand Assessment
2.2.4 Limitations
2.3 Consultation
3.0 Summary of Recreation Resources
3.1 Summary of Regional Recreation Resources
3.2 Catawba-Wateree Key Characteristics
3.3 Catawba-Wateree Project Area Recreation Areas
3.4 Catawba-Wateree Project Area Recreation Use Assessment
3.4.1 General Recreation User Characteristics
3.4.2 Recreation Use
3.4.3 Boating Use
4.0 Project Area Recreation Resources
4.1 Lake James
4.1.1 Lake James Existing Recreation Areas
4.1.2 Lake James Recreation Use Assessment
4.1.3 Lake James Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.1.4 Lake James Survey Respondent Comments
4.2 Lake Rhodhiss
4.2.1 Lake Rhodhiss Existing Recreation Areas
4.2.2 Lake Rhodhiss Recreation Use Assessment
4.2.3 Lake Rhodhiss Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.2.4 Lake Rhodhiss Survey Respondent Comments
4.3 Lake Hickory
4.3.1 Lake Hickory Existing Recreation Areas
4.3.2 Lake Hickory Recreation Use Assessment
4.3.3 Lake Hickory Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.3.4 Lake Hickory Survey Respondent Comments
4.4 Lookout Shoals Lake
4.4.1 Lookout Shoals Lake Existing Recreation Areas
4.4.2 Lookout Shoals Lake Recreation Use Assessment
4.4.3 Lookout Shoals Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.4.4 Lookout Shoals Lake Survey Respondent Comments
4.5 Lake Norman
4.5.1 Lake Norman Existing Recreation Areas
4.5.2 Lake Norman Recreation Use Assessment
4.5.3 Lake Norman Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.5.4 Lake Norman Survey Respondent Comments
4.6 Mountain Island Lake
4.6.1 Mountain Island Lake Existing Recreation Areas
4.6.2 Mountain Island Lake Recreation Use Assessment
4.6.3 Mountain Island Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.6.4 Mountain Island Lake Survey Respondent Comments
4.7 Lake Wylie
4.7.1 Lake Wylie Existing Recreation Areas
4.7.2 Lake Wylie Recreation Use Assessment
4.7.3 Lake Wylie Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.7.4 Lake Wylie Survey Respondent Comments
4.8 Fishing Creek Lake
4.8.1 Fishing Creek Lake Existing Recreation Areas
4.8.2 Fishing Creek Lake Recreation Use Assessment
4.8.3 Fishing Creek Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.8.4 Fishing Creek Lake Survey Respondent Comments
4.9 Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes
4.9.1 Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Existing Recreation Areas
4.9.2 Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Recreation Use Assessment
4.9.3 Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.9.4 Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes Survey Respondent Commentsss
4.10 Lake Wateree
4.10.1 Lake Wateree Existing Recreation Areas
4.10.2 Lake Wateree Recreation Use Assessment
4.10.3 Lake Wateree Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
4.10.4 Lake Wateree Survey Respondent Comments

4.10	Lake Wateree

Lake Wateree, the second largest reservoir in the Catawba-Wateree system, is located northeast of Columbia, South Carolina in Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield counties. Lake Wateree has a surface area of about 13,864 acres and 213.1 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of 225.5 feet msl. Table 4.10-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lake Wateree.

Table 4.10-1.

Shoreline Classification for Lake Wateree

Shoreline Classification	Shoreline Miles	Percent of Total
Commercial /Non-Residential	1.7	1.0%
Commercial /Residential	0.7	0.0%
Residential	81.9	38.0%
Business Industrial	0.1	0.0%
Public Recreation	0.6	0.0%
Public Infrastructure	2.5	1.0%
Project Operations	1.3	1.0%
Future Commercial/Non-Residential	22.0	10.0%
Future Commercial/Residential	7.7	4.0%
Future Residential	5.3	2.0%
Future Public Recreation	9.5	4.0%
Impact Minimization Zones	8.6	4.0%
Environmental Area	65.5	31.0%
Natural Area	5.6	3.0%
Total	213.1	100.0%

4.10.1

Lake Wateree Existing Recreation Areas

There are eight developed Duke Power owned public recreation access on Lake Wateree, one state park, Lake Wateree State Park, and one SCDNR boat access area. Figure 4.10-1 shows the public recreation access locations. In addition, there are six commercial non-residential marinas that provide additional public access on Lake Wateree. The following sections describe the Duke-owned public access areas, summarize the facilities at the county park, and provide estimates of the number and type of commercial recreational access facilities at Lake Wateree.

Existing Duke-Owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke-owned public access areas provide about 144 acres and about 9,971 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Lake Wateree. Combined, the developed access areas have 17 public boat ramps, 3 loading piers, 1 fishing pier, and about 452 parking spaces. Table 4.10-2 summarizes the facilities at the public access areas.

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Figure 4.10-1
Lake Wateree Public Recreation Access Areas

Table 4.10-2.

Lake Wateree 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)
Cedar Creek	31.4	2,082	2	0	0	0	55
Wateree Creek	11.7	1,455	1	0	0	0	40
Taylor Creek	6.7	1,024	2	1	0	0	68
June Creek	5.9	1,002	2	0	0	0	34
Colonel's Creek	5.0	670	3	0	0	0	72
White Oak Creek	58.5	1,708	4	2	1	0	86
Buck Hill	11.3	1,080	2	0	0	0	50
Lugoff	13.4	950	1	0	0	0	47
Total	143.9	9,971	17	3	1	0	452

State Park Public Recreation Facilities

Table 4.10-3 shows the site acreage, shoreline footage and recreational facilities provided at the Lake Wateree State Park, located in the upper portion of Lake Wateree. The SCDNR Beaver Creek access area provides parking and a boat launch access to Lake Wateree

Table 4.10-3.

Summary of Lake Wateree State Park Public Recreation Facilities

Site Description/Facility	Number
Site Acreage	238
Shoreline Footage	40,432
Concrete Boat Ramps	2
Paved Parking Spaces for Trailers	72
Paved Parking Spaces for Cars	50
Floating Loading Pier	1
Playground Area	1
RV Campsites	72
Bathhouse/Restrooms	2
Tackle Shop/Park Store/Gas	1
Rangers Residence	2
Maintenance Area	1
Picnic Sites	25
RV Dump Stations	1
Mile of Nature Trail	1

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 Wateree through 6 commercial non-residential marinas. Private access to Lake Wateree is through private marinas and private piers located along the Lake Wateree shoreline. Table 4.10-4 summarizes the number and type of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential marina facilities. Table 4.10-5 summarizes the estimated number of private piers.

Table 4.10-4.

Summary of Lake Wateree Commercial Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	Commercial Non-Residential	Commercial Residential
No. Public Marinas	6	0
No. Private Marinas	4	0
No. Wet Slips	1,106	0
No. Dry Slips	0	0

Table 4.10-5.

Summary of Lake Wateree Private Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	No. Private Facilities
Piers	2,083

Site Specific Descriptions of Existing Duke-owned Public Access Areas at Lake Wateree

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

Cedar Creek Access Area

Figure 4.10-2

Figure 4.10-2.

Cedar Creek Access Area

The Cedar Creek access area is located in the upper portion of Lake Wateree downstream of the Cedar Creek hydropower station along the eastern shoreline in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Table 4.10-6 summarizes key site characteristics for the Cedar Creek access area.

Table 4.10-6.

Summary of Cedar Creek Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	Cedar Creek
Location	Road 20, Lancaster County, SC
Site Acreage	31.4acres
Site Facilities	2 boat ramps
Parking	55 gravel vehicle/trailer parking spaces
ADA Facilities	None
Key Recreation Activities	Boating, fishing
Recreation Access Fees	None
Key Views	Main lake and Rocky Creek/Cedar Creek dam
Topography	Flat slope
Vegetation	Mixed conifers and hardwoods
Shoreline Footage	2,082 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/SCDNR

Wateree Creek Access Area

Figure 4.10-3

Figure 4.10-3.

Wateree Creek Access Area

The Wateree Creek access area is located in the upper portion of Lake Wateree along the western shoreline in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Table 4.10-7 summarizes key site characteristics for the Wateree Creek access area

Table 4.10-7.

Summary of Wateree Creek Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	Wateree Creek
Location	Road 55, Fairfield County, SC
Site Acreage	11.7 acres
Site Facilities	1 boat ramp
Parking	40 gravel vehicle/trailer parking spaces
ADA Facilities	None
Key Recreation Activities	Boating, fishing
Recreation Access Fees	None
Key Views	Main lake
Topography	Flat to moderate slope
Vegetation	Mixed conifers and hardwoods
Shoreline Footage	1,455 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

Taylor Creek Access Area

Figure 4.10-4

Figure 4.10-4.

Taylor Creek Access Area

The Taylor Creek access area is located in the upper portion of Lake Wateree along the western shoreline, in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Table 4.10-8 summarizes key site characteristics for the Taylor Creek access area.

Table 4.10-8.

Summary of Taylor Creek Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	Taylor Creek
Location	Road 101, Fairfield County, SC
Site Acreage	6.7 acres
Site Facilities	2 boat ramps, 1 loading pier, lighting
Parking	68 paved vehicle/trailer parking spaces
ADA Facilities	Loading pier
Key Recreation Activities	Boating, fishing
Recreation Access Fees	None
Key Views	Main lake
Topography	Flat slope
Vegetation	Mixed conifers and hardwoods
Shoreline Footage	1,024 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

June Creek Access Area

Figure 4.10-5

Figure 4.10-5.

June Creek Access Area

The June Creek access area is located in the middle portion of Lake Wateree along the western shoreline in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Table 4.10-9 summarizes key site characteristics for the June Creek access area.

Table 4.10-9.

Summary of June Creek Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	June Creek
Location	Road 101, Fairfield County, SC
Site Acreage	5.9 acres
Site Facilities	2 boat ramps
Parking	34 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	1,002 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

Colonel's Creek Access Area

Figure 4.10-6

Figure 4.10-6.

Colonel's Creek Access Area

The Colonel's Creek access area is located in the middle portion of Lake Wateree along the western shoreline in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Table 4.10-10 summarizes key site characteristics for the Colonel's Creek access area.

Table 4.10-10.

Summary of Colonel’s Creek Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	Colonel’s Creek
Location	Road 101, Fairfield County, SC
Site Acreage	5.0 acres
Site Facilities	3 boat ramps, lighting
Parking	72 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	Hardwoods and open areas
Shoreline Footage	670 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

White Oak Creek Access Area

Figure 4.10-7

Figure 4.10-7.

White Oak Creek Access Area

The White Oak Creek access area is located in the lower portion of Lake Wateree, along the eastern shoreline in Kershaw County, South Carolina. Table 4.10-11 summarizes key site characteristics for the White Oak Creek access area.

Table 4.10-11.

Summary of White Oak Creek Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	White Oak Creek
Location	Highway 97, Kershaw County, SC
Site Acreage	58.5 acres
Site Facilities	4 boat ramps, 2 loading piers, 1 event pier, lighting
Parking	86 paved vehicle/trailer parking spaces
ADA Facilities	Loading piers
Key Recreation Activities	Boating, fishing
Recreation Access Fees	None
Key Views	Main lake
Topography	Flat slope
Vegetation	Mixed conifers and hardwoods
Shoreline Footage	1,708 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

Buck Hill Access Area

Figure 4.10-8

Figure 4.10-8.

Buck Hill Access Area

The Buck Hill access area is located in the lower portion of Lake Wateree along the western shoreline, in Kershaw County South Carolina, just upstream of the Wateree dam. Table 4.10-12 summarizes key site characteristics for the Buck Hill Creek access area.

Table 4.10-12.

Summary of Buck Hill Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	Buck Hill
Location	Road 556, Kershaw County, SC
Site Acreage	11.3 acres
Site Facilities	2 boat ramps
Parking	50 paved vehicle/trailer parking spaces
ADA Facilities	None
Key Recreation Activities	Boating, fishing
Recreation Access Fees	None
Key Views	Main lake and Wateree Dam
Topography	Moderate slope
Vegetation	Mixed conifers and hardwoods
Shoreline Footage	1,080 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

Lugoff Access Area

Figure 4.10-9

Figure 4.10-9.

Lugoff Access Area

The Lugoff access area is located in the lower portion of Lake Wateree along the western shoreline in Kershaw County, South Carolina, just downstream of the Wateree dam. Table 4.10-13 summarizes key site characteristics for the Lugoff access area.

Table 4.10-13.

Summary of Lugoff Access Area Site Characteristics

Site Name	Lugoff
Location	Road 410, Kershaw County, SC
Site Acreage	13.4 acres
Site Facilities	1 boat ramp
Parking	47 gravel vehicle/trailer parking spaces
ADA Facilities	None
Key Recreation Activities	Boating, fishing
Recreation Access Fees	None
Key Views	Wateree dam and riverine section of Catawba River
Topography	Flat slope
Vegetation	Mixed conifers and hardwoods
Shoreline Footage	950 feet
Ownership/Lease	Duke Power/ SCDNR

4.10.2

Lake Wateree Recreation Use Assessment

Recreation Use

Visitation at the public access areas on Lake Wateree was derived based on estimates of the traffic entering the Duke-owned public access areas. Total estimated visitation during the 1999 study period for Lake Wateree at these sites was about 295,183 visits. Figure 4.10-10 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Lake Wateree 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 4.10-10

Figure 4.10-10.

Lake Wateree Estimate of Recreation Visitation at the Duke-Owned Access Areas

Table 4.10-14 provides a summary of the estimated recreation visitation based on the traffic counter data for the sampled sites during the 1999 study period. Of the Lake Wateree Duke-owned access areas, White Oak Creek and Colonel's Creek were estimated to have the greatest amount of use at about 23 percent and 19 percent, respectively, of the total estimated use at the Lake Wateree Duke-owned access areas.

Spot counts were conducted at seven sites for Lake Wateree, Buck Hill, Cedar Creek, Colonels Creek, June Creek, Taylor Creek, Wateree Creek, and White Oak Creek Access areas. Table 4.10-15 lists the number of sample days per month for the spot count data collection.

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Table 4.10-14

Lake Wateree Estimated Recreation Visitation at Duke-Owned Access Areas

Table 4.10-15

Spot Count Data Collection Sites by Month

Site

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Buck Hill

Final Shoreline Management Plan Update for the Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project

(FERC No. 2232) Appendix B

Total

Final Shoreline Management
Plan Update for the
Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project

(FERC No. 2232)

Appendix B