3.3	Lake Hickory

Lake Hickory is located downstream of Lake Rhodhiss and northeast of Hickory in Caldwell, Burke, Catawba, and Alexander counties, North Carolina. Lake Hickory has a surface area of about 3,941 acres and 110.6 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of 935 feet MSL.

3.3.1

Lake Hickory Shoreline Classification

Table 3.3-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lake Hickory, based on the July 2001 SMP maps.

Table 3.3-1.

Shoreline Classification for Lake Hickory

Shoreline Classification	Shoreline Miles	Percent of Total
Commercial/Non-Residential	1.6	1.4%
Commercial/Residential	2.0	1.8%
Residential	52.7	47.6%
Business Industrial	0.8	0.7%
Public Recreation	0.7	0.6%
Public Infrastructure	1.2	1.1%
Project Operations	1.7	1.5%
Future Commercial/Non-Residential	5.0	4.5%
Future Commercial/Residential	13.4	12.1%
Future Residential	8.3	7.5%
Future Public Recreation	2.8	2.5%
Impact Minimization Zones	2.2	2.0%
Impact Minimization Zones (Dev)	0.0	0.0%
Environmental Area	18.1	16.4%
Natural Area	0.1	0.0%
Total	110.6	100.0%

3.3.2

Lake Hickory Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

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Table 3.3-2 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lake Hickory, based on the
results of the SWFHS.

Table 3.3-2.

Lake Hickory Shallow Water Habitat Shoreline Classifications (Miles)

Lake	Developed	Sand	Cobble	Woody Debris	Vegetated	Natural	Undeveloped No Critical Habitat	Total
Hickory	54.7	1.4	0.8	2.6	17.5	0	29.1	106

Lake Hickory 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.

3.3.3

Lake Hickory Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Lake Hickory Study Area, there are 14 previously recorded cultural resources including 8 architectural resources and 6 archaeological sites. Architectural resources include 3 single dwellings, a bridge, a commercial building, 2 mill villages, and a mill. While the architectural resources range in date from the early nineteenth to the twentieth centuries, most of the resources are from the early twentieth centuries. The archeological sites range from the Early Archaic through the Historic cultural periods.

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Information is somewhat meager for the six archaeological sites. For one of the sites, we do not have enough data to determine its specific site function. Ceramics or lithic artifacts were recovered at the remaining 5 sites. Four of those five sites are 76 to 100 percent destroyed, while the fifth is 51 to 75 percent destroyed. All of the previously recorded archaeological sites in the APE have been recommended as "not eligible" for listing 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 Hickory 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.

3.3.4

Lake Hickory Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment

Lake Hickory Existing Recreational Areas

There are 5 developed and 1 undeveloped Duke Power-owned public recreational access locations on Lake Hickory. There are 2 city parks operated by the City of Hickory, John Geitner Park and Glen C. Hilton Park, and a county park, River Bend Park, located about 800 feet downstream of the Oxford dam and operated by Catawba County. Figure 3.3-1 shows the public recreational access locations. In addition, there are 7 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 county parks, and provide estimates of the number and type of commercial recreational access facilities at Lake Hickory.

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Existing Duke Power-Owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke Power-owned public access areas provide about 222 acres of land and 20,108 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Lake Hickory. Combined, the developed access areas have 16 public boat ramps, 9 loading piers, 3 fishing piers, and about 445 parking spaces for car/trailers and 34 spaces for cars. Table 3.3-3 summarizes the facilities at the public access areas. The undeveloped access area provides about 20 acres and 551 feet of shoreline frontage for future public recreational development.

In the 1994 SMP, Duke Power proposed to improve the Gunpowder access area (replace 1 ramp with 2 new boat ramps and replace the pier), the Lovelady access area (replace 1 ramp with 2 new boat ramps), the Wittenburg access area (replace 3 ramps with 6 new boat ramps, replace the piers with 3 new piers, light the site, and provide 165 paved parking spaces), and the Dusty Ridge access area (replace the 2 boat ramps, replace the pier, and pave the site). In addition, Duke Power said it would add 5 acres to the Gunpowder site (8 acres added) and 35 acres to the Lovelady site (42 added). All of the commitments from the 1994 SMP will be completed by the end of 2001. Additional projects that have been completed are the provision of handicapped fishing opportunities at the Wittenburg access area in cooperation with the NCWRC and the relocation of the Long Shoals access area on 53 acres of land (4 new boat ramps, 2 new loading piers, 120 paved parking spaces, and lighting of the site).

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.

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Table 3.3-3.

Lake Hickory 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)
Gunpowder	13.3	2,590	2	1	0	0	60
Lovelady	44.1	1,965	2	2	0	0	60
Wittenburg	13.1	3,358	6	3	3	34	165
Dusty Ridge	78.9	5,027	2	1	0	0	40
Oxford	52.9	6,617	4	2	0	0	120
Long Shoals **	20.1	551	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Total	222.4	20,108	16	9	3	34	445

*   Vehicle/Trailer parking area            **  Undeveloped sitess

County and City Public Recreational Facilities

There are 1 county park and 2 city park facilities located along the Lake Hickory shoreline. The 2 city parks, Glen C. Hilton Park and John Geitner Park, are located along the upper portion of Lake Hickory along the southern shoreline and are owned and operated by the City of Hickory. The City of Hickory also has two undeveloped park sites on the lake. The River Bend Park is located approximately 800 feet downstream of the Oxford Hydroelectric Station and is operated by Catawba County. Table 3.3-4 summarizes the key characteristics of these facilities.

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Table 3.3-4.

Summary of County and City Public Recreational Facilities

Glen C. Hilton Park	John Geitner Park	River Bend Park
5 picnic shelters	1 fishing access	1 fishing pier
2 playgrounds	1 picnic shelter	6 miles of hiking trails
2 miles walking trails	1 boat ramp	Canoe access
3 fishing access areas	1 boat dock	Restrooms
1 canoe launch		3.3 miles of horse/bike trails

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.3-1 Lake Hickory Public Recreational Access Areas

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Existing Commercial and Private Recreational Access

In addition to the Duke Power-owned public access areas and the city and county parks, the public and lake neighbors can gain access to Lake Hickory through commercial non-residential and commercial residential marinas, respectively. Private access to Lake Hickory is through private marinas and private piers along the Lake Hickory shoreline. Table 3.3-5 shows the number and types of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential marina facilities. Table 3.3-6 shows the estimated number of private piers.

Table 3.3-5.

Summary of Lake Hickory Commercial Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	Commercial Non-Residential	Commercial Residential
Public Marinas	7	0
Private Marinas	1	6
Wet Slips	349	95
Dry Slips	735	0

Table 3.3-6.

Summary of Lake Hickory Private Recreational Access Facilitiesv

Type of Facility	No. Private Facilities
Piers	2,200

Lake Hickory Recreational Use Assessment

Visitation figures at the public access areas on Lake Hickory 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 299,009 visits for Lake Hickory at these sites. Figure 3.3-2 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Lake Hickory 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.

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Table 3.3-7 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 Hickory access areas, those experiencing the greatest usage were Wittenburg and Oxford with estimates of 43 percent and 28 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) compared to Survey C respondents (respondents at the public access areas) was 1.41 to 1. The estimated overall recreational visitation for Lake Hickory for the 1999 study period totaled 423,317 visits.

Figure 3.3-2.

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

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Table 3.3-7.

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

Lake Hickory 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 3.3-8) by the following factors (Warren and Rea, 1989):

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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	-
	Total	-3

Table 3.3-7.

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 3.3-9 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 3.3-10 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use for Lake Hickory on the peak day during the 1999 study period. During the weekday, Lake Hickory was estimated at 38 percent capacity; during the weekend, at 55 percent capacity; and during the peak holiday period, at 71 percent capacity for overall boating use.

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Table 3.3-9.

Lake Hickory Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment

Boat Activity	Usable Acreage	Use Factor	Opt. No. Boats	% Usage	Boat Activity Mix	Persons/ Boat	Total Users
Fishing	4,223	8.0	528	33%	174	3.14	546
Canoe/Kayak	4,223	2.0	2,111	6%	127	3.26	414
Motor Boating	2,827	15.0	188	29%	55	3.90	215
Sailing	2,827	8.0	353	4%	14	3.36	47
Jet Skiing	2,827	8.0	353	15%	53	3.85	204
Water Skiing	2,827	17.0	166	13%	22	4.39	97
Total				100%	445		1,524

Table 3.3-10.

Lake Hickory Estimated 1999 Study Period Boat Capacity

Peak Use	Weekday	% Capacity	Weekend	% Capacity	Holiday	% Capacity
No. Boats	168