3.2	Lake Rhodhiss

Lake Rhodhiss is a relatively small lake within the Catawba-Wateree system, located northeast of Morganton in Burke and Caldwell counties, North Carolina. Lake Rhodhiss has a surface area of about 3,021 acres and 103.9 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of 995.1 feet MSL.

3.2.1

Lake Rhodhiss Shoreline Classification

Table 3.2-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lake Rhodhiss, based on the July 2001 SMP maps.

Table 3.2-1.

Shoreline Classification for Lake Rhodhiss

Shoreline Classification	Shoreline Miles	Percent of Total
Commercial/Non-Residential	0.4	0.0%
Commercial/Residential	0.3	0.0%
Residential	0.4	0.0%
Business Industrial	0.4	0.0%
Public Recreation	0.4	0.0%
Public Infrastructure	1.2	1.2%
Project Operations	1.0	1.0%
Future Commercial/Non-Residential	28.1	27.0%
Future Commercial/Residential	1.8	1.7%
Future Residential	4.9	4.7%
Future Public Recreation	2.3	2.2%
Impact Minimization Zones	1.6	2.0%
Impact Minimization Zones (Dev)	0.0	0.0%
Environmental Area	24.5	23.6%
Natural Area	36.7	35.3%
Total	103.9	100.0%

 

Back to Top

3.2.2

Lake Rhodhiss Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

Table 3.2-2 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lake Rhodhiss, based on the
results of the SWFHS.

Table 3.2-2.

Shallow Water Habitat Shoreline Classifications (Miles)

Lake	Developed	Sand	Cobble	Woody Debris	Vegetated	Natural	Undeveloped No Critical Habitat	Total
Rhodhiss	1.5	2.2	1.3	9.2	21.3	2.5	59.5	98

3.2.3

Lake Rhodhiss Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Lake Rhodhiss Study Area, there are 66 previously recorded cultural resources including 6 architectural resources and 60 archaeological sites. Architectural resources include 2 single dwellings, 2 dams, and 2 bridges. The architectural resources range in date from the early nineteenth to the middle twentieth century. The archeological sites range from the Early Archaic through the Historic cultural periods.

Back to Top

Twenty sites are associated with the archaic periods and 14 are from the woodland period. Eleven of the prehistoric sites are habitation sites, but site function could not be determined for 23 of the archaeological sites. Fourteen of the sites are associated with the historic period. One historic archaeological site is the possible location for eighteenth-century Fort McDowell. There are also three historic cemetery sites within the study area. Fourteen of the sites have been affected by landfills, four are underwater, six are affected by erosion, and one has been destroyed, although another site is now a parking lot and another is on the site of a future road. The associated time period has not been determined for 12 of the archaeological sites.

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

The Bellevue house is the only architectural resource 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 Rhodhiss 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.

Back to Top

3.2.4

Lake Rhodhiss Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessmentv

Lake Rhodhiss Existing Recreational Areas

There are 5 developed Duke Power-owned public recreational access locations on Lake Rhodhiss and the Marsh Project area, leased by Duck's Unlimited and the State of North Carolina. Figure 3.2-1 shows the public recreational access locations. In addition, there is 1 commercial non-residential and 1 commercial residential marina that provide additional access on Lake Rhodhiss. The following sections describe the Duke Power-owned public access areas and provide estimates of the number and types of commercial recreational access facilities at Lake Rhodhiss.

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.2-1 Lake Rhodhiss Public Recreational Access Areas

Back to Top

Existing Duke Power-owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke Power-owned public access areas provide about 247 acres and about 15,756 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Lake Rhodhiss. Combined, the developed access areas have 11 public boat ramps, 6 loading piers, and about 350 car/trailer and 20 vehicle parking spaces. Table 3.2-3 summarizes the facilities at the public access areas. The NCWRC, under an agreement with Duke Power, maintains all of the access areas on Lake Rhodhiss.

In the 1994 SMP, Duke Power proposed improving the Castle Bridge access area (replace 1 ramp with 6 new ramps, replace 2 piers with 3 new piers, and add 150 paved parking spaces), relocate the Tator Hole site (add 4 new ramps, 2 loading piers, and 100 paved parking spaces). In addition, Duke Power said it would add 5 acres of land at Castle Bridge (45 acres added), add 20 acres to the Conley Creek site (64 added) and provide 100 acres at the relocated Tator Hole site (now called the Rhodhiss site where 127 acres were provided). All of the commitments were met except for the provision of 4 boat ramps at the Rhodhiss site where, after consultation with the NCWRC and FERC, only 2 ramps and 1 pier were provided initially.

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.

Back to Top

Table 3.2-3.

Lake Rhodhiss 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)
Johns River	1.8	172	1	1	0	0	30
Huffman Bridge	2.3	610	0	0	0	20	0
Castle Bridge	47.7	1,290	6	3	0	0	150
Conley Creek	67.9	4,842	2	1	0	0	70
Rhodhiss	126.9	8,842	2	1	0	0	100
Total	246.6	15,756	11	6	0	20	350

* Vehicle/Trailer parking areas

Existing Commercial and Private Recreational Access

In addition to the Duke Power-owned public access areas, the public and lake neighbors can gain access to Lake Rhodhiss through a commercial non-residential marina. Private access to Lake Rhodhiss is through a private marina and private piers along the Lake Rhodhiss shoreline. Table 3.2-4 summarizes the number and types of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential marina facilities. Table 3.2-5 summarizes the estimated number of private piers.

Back to Top

Table 3.2-4.

Summary of Lake Rhodhiss Commercial Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	Commercial Non-Residential	Commercial Residential
Public Marinas	1	0
Private Marinas	0	1
Wet Slips	62	2
Dry Slips	0	0

Table 3.2-5.

Summary of Lake Rhodhiss Private Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	No. Private Facilities
Piers	5

Lake Rhodhiss Recreational Use Assessment

Visitation figures at the public access areas on Lake Rhodhiss were derived based on estimates of the traffic entering the Duke Power-owned public access areas. For the 1999 study period, there was an estimated total of 228,010 visits for Lake Rhodhiss at these sites. Figure 3.2-2 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Lake Rhodhiss for the Duke Power-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 3.2-2.

Lake Rhodhiss Estimate of Recreational Visitation at the Duke Power-Owned Access Areas

Table 3.2-6 shows 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 Rhodhiss access areas, those experiencing the greatest usage were Castle Bridge, Rhodhiss, and Conley Creek with estimates of 51 percent, 22 percent, and 15 percent, respectively, of the total estimated use.

Back to Top

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 1.27 to 1. The estimated overall recreational visitation for Lake Rhodhiss for the 1999 study period totaled 288,655 visits.

Lake Rhodhiss 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 3.2-7) by the following factors (Warren and Rea, 1989, as modified):

Back to Top

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	-3

Click Here to View Full

Table 3.2-6.

1999 Lake Rhodhiss Estimated Recreational Visitation at Duke Power-Owned Access Areas

Table 3.2-7.

Boat Type Acreage Adjustment (Source:  Modified from Warren and Rea, 1989)vv

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 3.2-8 summarizes the assessment of the optimum overall boat capacity based on the usable boating water surface acreage and the boating activity mix identified from the surveys. Table 3.2-9 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use for Lake Rhodhiss on the peak day during the 1999 study period. During the weekday, Lake Rhodhiss was estimated at 11 percent capacity; during the weekend, at 9 percent capacity; and during the peak holiday period, at 19 percent capacity for overall boating use.

Back to Top

Table 3.2-8.

Lake Rhodhiss Boat Carrying Capacity Assessmentvvvv

Boat Activity	Usable Acreage	Use Factor	Opt. No. Boats	% Usage	Boat Activity Mix	Persons/ Boat	Total Users
Fishing	3,060	8.0	383	60%	230	3.14	722
Canoe/Kayak	3,060	2.0	1,530	12%	184	3.26	600
Motor Boating	1,743	15.0	116	13%	15	3.90	59
Sailing	1,743	8.0	218	0%	-	3.36	-
Jet Skiing	1,743	8.0	218	13%	28	3.85	108
Water Skiing	1,743	17.0	103	2%	2	4.39	9
Total				100%	459		1,498

Table 3.2-9.

Lake Rhodhiss Estimated 1999 Study Period Boat Capacityvv

Peak Use	Weekday	% Capacity	Weekend	% Capacity	Holiday	% Capacity
No. Boats	49	11%	41	9%	89	19%

The overall boat carrying capacity assessment provides an assessment of the total surface area of boating use. To assess the areas of the lakes with higher boating density, the general location of boating activity was recorded during the flyovers for each day of aerial coverage. Figure 3.2-3 shows the location of boats during the peak use day for Lake Rhodhiss. Figure 3.2-4 shows the boating density on Lake Rhodhiss for the peak use day, and denotes areas with the greatest clustering of boating activity. Figure 3.2-5 shows the boat density map based on the composite of the five highest boating use days. This figure illustrates the areas with boating use most often occurred during the peak use days during the study period and provides an assessment of areas with high density boating during this same period.

Back to Top

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.2-3 Lake Rhodhiss Peak Use Day Boat Counts

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.2-4 Lake Rhodhiss Peak Use Day Boat Density Map

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.2-5 Lake Rhodhiss Composite Peak Use Boat Density Map

Based on the boat capacity study in Table 3.2-9, there are no crowding problems on Lake Rhodhiss. The highest capacity reached was 19% on holiday weekends. The Peak Use Day Boat Density map, Figure 3.2-4 (for only one day), does show one area where the boat density is higher than the rest of the lake, but the acres available per boat for are adequate for all boating activities. When averaging the five highest boat count days, Figure 3.2-5, no crowding problems are identified. For all of the remaining times during the year the boat density levels are very low.

Back to Top

Lake Rhodhiss Estimated Future Recreational Demand

Table 3.2-10 provides the population projections for the counties within 50-60 miles of Lake Rhodhiss. 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 used to make projections for 2030, 2040, and 2050

Table 3.2-10.

Lake Rhodhiss Estimated Population Projections for the Impact Zonevv

County	1999	2000	2010	2020	2030