The following sections describe the results of the lake assessment for each reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree system, including: shoreline classification, shallow water fish habitat survey, recreational use and demand assessment, cultural resources assessment, and proposed recreational enhancements.

3.1	Lake James

Lake James is the northernmost reservoir in the Catawba-Wateree system, located northwest of Morganton in Burke and McDowell counties, North Carolina. Lake James has a surface area of about 6,577 acres and 151.5 shoreline miles, at full pond elevation of 1,200 feet mean sea level (MSL).

3.1.1

Lake James Shoreline Classification

Table 3.1-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lake James, based on the 2001 SMP maps.

Table 3.1-1.

Shoreline Classification for Lake James

Shoreline Classification	Shoreline Miles	Percent of Total
Commercial/Non-Residential	1.6	1.1%
Commercial/Residential	4.4	2.9%
Residential	12.5	8.3%
Business Industrial	0.0	0.0%
Public Recreational	0.7	0.0%
Public Infrastructure	0.7	0.0%
Project Operations	2.3	1.5%
Future Commercial/Non-Residential	60.8	40.1%
Future Commercial/Residential	4.0	2.6%
Future Residential	15.8	10.4%
Future Public Recreational	10.0	6.6%
Impact Minimization Zones	9.5	6.3%
Impact Minimization Zone (Dev)	0.2	0.0%
Environmental Area	20.8	13.7%
Natural Area	8.1	5.3%
Total	151.5	100.0%

 

Back to Top

3.1.2

Lake James Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

Table 3.1-2.

Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey Shoreline Classifications (miles)

Lake	Developed	Sand	Cobble	Woody Debris	Vegetated	Natural	Undeveloped No Critical Habitat	Total
James	18.9	6.6	2.8	29.9	15	2.1	62	137

Lake James Woody Debris Study

See the final results of the Woody Debris Study in Appendix A.

In 1999, Duke Power implemented a cooperative study to evaluate the importance of coarse woody debris as shallow water fish habitat. The study was developed cooperatively with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and was conducted in three Duke Power lakes (i.e. James, Hickory, and Fishing Creek) located on the Catawba-Wateree Project in North Carolina and South Carolina. Eight 100-m shoreline transects were selected in coarse woody debris, developed and undeveloped habitats and associated fish populations were sampled using daytime boat electrofishing in spring (March or April), summer (July), and fall (October or November) of 1999-2000. Coarse woody debris, developed and undeveloped habitats were defined as: littoral zones composed of >50% felled trees that were >25.4 cm in diameter at chest height, littoral zones composed of >50% piers and riprap, and undeveloped littoral zones with no piers, riprap, and <50%coarse woody debris, respectively.

3.1.3

Lake James Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Lake James Study Area, there are 36 previously recorded cultural resources including 8 architectural resources and 28 archaeological sites. Architectural resources include 3 single dwellings, 3 dams, an industrial site, and a bridge. The architectural resources range in date from the late-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. The archeological sites include those from the Early Archaic through the Historic cultural periods.

There are 5 archaeological sites that can be attributed to the Archaic period and 8 can be assigned specifically to the Woodland period. Eight sites are associated with a combination of Archaic and Woodland periods. No determination of the time period was made for 6 of the sites. One site is linked to the Mississippian period. For 24 of the prehistoric sites, there is not enough data to determine site function. Two of the sites are completely underwater.

Back to Top

None of the archaeological sites are listed in the National Register.

None of the architectural resources are listed in the National Register.

The information on both the archaeological and architectural sites from the state files is being used in preparation of the predictive model to assign the shoreline on Lake James either a High, Medium, Low, or No probability for the occurrence of cultural resources. Prior to the completion of the model non-exempt activities such as excavation projects, commercial marina development, and certain conveyance projects will be provided to the appropriate SHPO for review before construction or excavation activity begins within the project boundary. To ensure the potential impact to cultural resources is properly evaluated after completion of the predictive model, Lake Management will review the predictive model for all non-exempt activities. Applicants for all non-exempt lake use permitting activities in medium and high probability areas will be required to consult with the appropriate SHPO regarding their proposal.

3.1.4

Lake James Recreational Use and Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment

Lake James Existing Recreational Areas

There are 5 developed Duke Power-owned public recreational access locations (with 2 leased to the NCDPR) on Lake James and 1 state park, Lake James State Park. Figure 3.1-1 shows the public recreational access locations. In addition, there are 4 commercial non-residential marinas that provide additional public access to the lake. The following sections describe the Duke Power-owned public access areas, summarize the facilities at the state park, and provide estimates of the number and types of commercial recreational access facilities at Lake James.

Existing Duke Power-owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke Power-owned public access areas provide about 404 acres and 32,139 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Lake James. Combined, the developed access areas have 13 public boat ramps, 6 loading piers, and about 23 car and 345 vehicle/trailer parking spaces. Table 3.1-3 summarizes the facilities at the public access areas.

In the 1994 SMP, Duke Power proposed to improve the Canal Bridge access area (replace the 2 boat ramps with 3 new boat ramps and install a loading pier), relocate the North Fork access area (install 6 new boat ramps, 3 loading piers, 165 paved parking spaces, light the area and provide bank fishing), and construct a canoe portage. In addition, Duke Power said it would provide 180 acres at the relocated North Fork site (164 acres provided), add 109 acres to the Linville site (174 acres added) and add 25 acres to the Bridgewater Fishing Area (35 added). All of the recreation commitments from the 1994 SMP have been met.

Back to Top

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.1-1 Lake James Public Recreational Access Areas

The NCWRC has entered into a creative partnership with Duke Power for the maintenance and operation of the non-leased access areas. Under this agreement Duke Power pays the NCWRC to maintain the access areas and the NCWRC makes at least the same capital dollar amount available to Duke Power, and agency lessees for the non boat launching portion of the access areas, for improvements that will help the boating public. This agreement is a continuation of a long established partnership with the NCWRC with the added benefit of designated cost sharing capital dollars for access area improvements.     

Table 3.1-3.

Lake James Duke Power-owned Public Access Areas

Access Area Name	Acreage	Shoreline Frontage (ft)	Boat Ramps	Loading Piers	Fishing Piers	Car Parking (Spaces)	V/T* Parking (Spaces)
Black Bear	163.8	12,871	6	3	0	0	165
Hidden Cove	8.3	1,659	2	1	0	0	30
Canal Bridge	11.4	2,251	3	1	0	0	90
Linville	180.3	13,846	2	1	0	0	60
Bridge water Fishing area¹	39.8	1,512	0	0	1	23	0
Total	403.6	32,139	13	6	1	23	345

Back to Top

* Vehicle/Trailer parking areas
¹ Located in the tailrace

State and County Public Recreational Facilities

There is one state park, Lake James State Park, which is located in the central portion of Lake James and is owned and operated by the NCDPR. Table 3.1-4 summarizes the site acreage, shoreline footage, and recreational facilities provided at the Lake James State Park (not including Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge access areas). The state has leased the Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge access areas, which are run in conjunction with Lake James State Park.

Table 3.1-4.

Summary of Lake James State Park Public Recreational Facilities

Site Description/Facility	Number
Site Acreage	605
Shoreline Footage	21,246
Concrete Boat Ramps	0
ADA Fishing Pier	1
Paved Parking Spaces	78
Swimming Beach	1
Concession Building	1
Restroom/Shower	1
Picnic Tables	20
Ranger Residences	1
Park Office	1
Miles of Trail	4.5
Backpack Tent Campsites	20
Picnic Shelter (12 tables)	1
Maintenance Building	1
Residence (purchased)	1

Back to Top

Existing Commercial and Private Recreational Access

In addition to the Duke Power-owned public access areas and the state park, the lake users can gain access to Lake James through both commercial non-residential and commercial residential marinas. Private access to Lake James is through private marinas and private piers along the Lake James shoreline. Table 3.1-5 summarizes the number and types of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential marina facilities. Table 3.1-6 shows the estimated number of private piers.

Table 3.1-5.

Summary of Lake James Commercial Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	Commercial Non-Residential	Commercial Residential
Public Marinas	4	0
Private Marinas	0	10
Wet Slips	386	323
Dry Slips	0	0

Table 3.1-6.

Summary of Lake James Private Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	No. Private Facilities
Piers	285

Lake James Recreational Use Assessment

Visitation figures at the public access areas on Lake James were derived based on estimates of the traffic entering the Duke Power-owned public access areas. For the 1999 study period, there were an estimated total of 220,143 visits for Lake James at these sites. Figure 3.1-2 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Lake James for the Duke Power-owned public access areas. A visit is considered a vehicle or vehicle/trailer entering the site for any part of a day.

Table 3.1-7 provides a summary of the estimated recreational visitation based on the traffic counter data for the sampled sites during the 1999 study period. Of the Duke Power-owned Lake James access areas, those experiencing the greatest usage were Black Bear, Canal Bridge, and Linville (with estimates of 37 percent, 27 percent, and 21 percent, respectively, of the total estimated use).

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) as compared to Survey C respondents (respondents at the public access areas) was 1.41 to 1. Accordingly, the estimated overall recreational visitation for Lake James for the 1999 study period totaled 311,258 visits.

Back to Top

Figure 3.1-2.

Lake James Estimate of Recreational Visitation at the Duke Power-owned Access Areas

Click Here to View Full

Table 3.1-7.

1999 Lake James Estimated Recreation Visitation at Duke Power-Owned Access Areas

Lake James Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment

The overall boat carrying capacity is assessed based on the peak boating use estimates obtained during the flyovers in the 1999 study period. The available boating acreage was adjusted from the base boats per acreage estimate (see Table 3.1-8) by the following factors (Warren and Rea, 1989, as modified):

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	0
5.	Amount of facility and shoreline development	0
6.	Crowding rating	0
	Total	-2

Table 3.1-6.

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

Back to Top

Table 3.1-9 summarizes the assessment of the optimum overall boat capacity based on the usable water surface acreage and the boating activity mix identified from the surveys. Table 3.1-10 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use for Lake James on the peak day during the 1999 study period. During the weekday, Lake James was estimated at 19 percent capacity; during the weekend, at 24 percent capacity; and during the peak holiday period, at 42 percent capacity for overall boating use.

Table 3.1-9.

Lake James Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment

Boat Activity	Usable Acreage	Use Factor	Opt. No. Boats	% Usage	Boat Activity Mix	Persons/ Boat	Total Users
Fishing	6,812	6.0	1,135	40.0%	454	3.14	1,427
Canoe/Kayak	6,812	1.8	3,784	4.5%	171	3.26	557
Motor Boating	5,059	13.0	389	26.5%	103	3.90	402
Sailing	5,059	6.0	843	2.6%	22	3.36	73
Jet Skiing	5,059	6.0	843	11.6%	98	3.85	377
Water Skiing	5,059	15.0	337	14.8%	50	4.39	220
Total				100%	898		3,055

Table 3.1-10.