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

(FERC No. 2232)

Volume I SMP Update


Submitted by:

Duke Power, A Division of
Duke Energy Corporation

Group Environment
Health & Safety
Lake Management

July 30, 2001

Prepared by:
The Louis Berger Group, Inc.
Needham, MA

Table of Contents
Lake Assessment
Lake James
Lake James Shoreline Classification
Lake James Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Lake James Cultural Resources Assessment
Lake James Recreational Use and Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment
Lake James Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Lake Rhodhiss
Lake Rhodhiss Shoreline Classification
Lake Rhodhiss Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Lake Rhodhiss Cultural Resources Assessment
Lake Rhodhiss Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment
Lake Rhodhiss Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Lake Hickory
Lake Hickory Shoreline Classification
Lake Hickory Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Lake Hickory Cultural Resources Assessment
Lake Hickory Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment
Lake Hickory Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Lookout Shoals Lake
Lookout Shoals Lake Shoreline Classification
Lookout Shoals Lake Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Lookout Shoals Lake Cultural Resources Assessment
Lookout Shoals Lake Recreational Use and Carrying
Capacity Assessment
Lookout Shoals Lake Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Lake Norman
Lake Norman Shoreline Classification
Lake Norman Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Lake Norman Cultural Resources Assessment
Lake Norman Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment
Lake Norman Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Mountain Island Lake
Mountain Island Lake Shoreline Classification
Mountain Island Lake Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Mountain Island Lake Cultural Resources Assessment
Mountain Island Lake Recreational Use and Carrying
Capacity Assessment
Mountain Island Lake Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Lake Wylie
Lake Wylie Shoreline Classification
Lake Wylie Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Lake Wylie Cultural Resources Assessment
Lake Wylie Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment
Lake Wylie Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Fishing Creek Lake
Fishing Creek Lake Shoreline Classification
Fishing Creek Lake Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey
Fishing Creek Lake Cultural Resources Assessment
Fishing Creek Lake Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment
Fishing Creek Lake Proposed Recreational Enhancements

3.9
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake

3.9.1
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Shoreline Classification

3.9.2
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

3.9.3
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Cultural Resources Assessment

3.9.4
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment

3.9.5
Great Falls Lake and Rocky Creek Lake Proposed Recreational Enhancements

3.10
Lake Wateree

3.10.1
Lake Wateree Shoreline Classification

3.10.2
Lake Wateree Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

3.10.3
Lake Wateree Cultural Resources Assessment

3.10.4
Lake Wateree Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment

3.10.5
Lake Wateree Proposed Recreational Enhancements

 
3.4 Lookout Shoals Lake

Lookout Shoals Lake is the second smallest lake within the Catawba-Wateree system, located downstream of Lake Hickory west of Statesville in Alexander, Catawba, and Iredell counties, North Carolina. Lookout Shoals Lake has a surface area of about 1,208 acres and 36.3 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of 838.1 feet MSL.

3.4.1 Lookout Shoals Lake Shoreline Classification

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Table 3.4-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lookout Shoals Lake, based on the July 2001 SMP maps.

Table 3.4-1.

Shoreline Classification for Lookout Shoals Lake

s

Shoreline Classification

Shoreline Miles

Percent of Total

Commercial /Non-Residential

0.0

0.0%

Commercial /Residential

0.7

1.9%

Residential

6.8

18.7%

Business Industrial

0.0

0.0%

Public Recreation

0.1

0.0%

Public Infrastructure

0.4

1.1%

Project Operations

1.7

4.7%

Future Commercial/Non-Residential

3.3

9.1%

Future Commercial/Residential

0.7

1.9%

Future Residential

2.3

6.3%

Future Public Recreation

2.5

6.9%

Impact Minimization Zones

3.9

10.7%

Impact Minimization Zones (Dev)

0.0

0.0%

Environmental Area

8.7

24.0%

Natural Area

5.1

14.0%

Total

36.3

100.0%


3.4.2 Lookout Shoals Lake Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

Table 3.4-2 summarizes the shoreline classification for Lookout Shoals Lake, based on the results of the SWFHS.

Table 3.4-2.

Lookout Shoals Lake Shallow Water Habitat Shoreline Classifications (Miles)


Lake

Developed

Sand

Cobble

Woody Debris

Vegetated

Natural

Undeveloped No Critical Habitat

Total

Lookout Shoals

7.6

2.7

1.2

0.4

6.7

0.3

14.2

33

 

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3.4.3 Lookout Shoals Lake Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Lookout Shoals Lake Study Area, there are 7 cultural resources including 3 architectural and 4 recorded archaeological sites. Architectural resources include a single dwelling, a bridge, and a commercial building. The architectural resources date from the late nineteenth century to the twentieth century. The archeological sites are from the Historic period.

All of the archaeological sites are from the Historic period. Three of the sites are domestic sites. None of the archaeological sites are listed in the National Register.

There are no architectural resources within the Lookout Shoals Lake 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 Lookout Shoals Lake 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.

3.4.4 Lookout Shoals Lake Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment

Lookout Shoals Lake Existing Recreational Areas

There are 2 developed Duke Power-owned public recreational access areas on Lookout Shoals Lake. There are no state or county park facilities located along the lake, and Figure 3.4-1 shows the public recreational access locations. There are two commercial residential marinas on Lookout Shoals Lake. There are no public commercial non-residential marinas located on Lookout Shoals Lake. The following sections describe the Duke Power-owned public access area facilities at Lookout Shoals Lake.

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Existing Duke Power-Owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke Power-owned public access areas provide about 39 acres and about 2,492 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Lookout Shoals Lake. Combined, the developed access areas have 3 public boat ramps, 4 loading piers, and about 74 vehicle/trailer parking spaces. Table 3.4-3 summarizes the facilities at these public access areas.

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Figure 3.4-1

Lookout Shoals Lake Public Recreational Access Areas

Figure 3.4-1

In the 1994 SMP, Duke Power proposed to improve the Lookout Shoals access area (replace 2 ramps with 2 new boat ramps, pave the site and light the parking area) and Sharon access area (replace the ramp with a new ramp, pave the site and light the parking area). The Lookout Shoals access area improvements will be completed in 2001 and the Sharon improvements will be completed in early 2002, in order not to have both sites closed at the same time, which will meet all of the 1994 SMP commitments. In addition, Duke Power has added 23 acres of land to the Lookout Shoals site.

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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 3.4-3.

Lookout Shoals Lake 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)

Lookout Shoals

30.3

2,237

2

3

0

0

50

Sharon

8.8

255

1

1

0

0

24

Total

39.1

2,492

3

4

0

0

74

*  Vehicle/Trailer parking area.

Existing Commercial and Private Recreational Access

There are, currently, no public marinas on Lookout Shoals Lake. Private access to Lookout Shoals Lake is through private marinas and private piers along the Lookout Shoals Lake shoreline. Table 3.4-4 summarizes the number and types of public and private commercial non-residential and commercial residential marina facilities. Table 3.4-5 summarizes the estimated number of private piers.

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Table 3.4-4. 

Summary of Lookout Shoals Lake Commercial Recreational
Access Facilities


Type of Facility

Commercial
Non-Residential

Commercial Residential

Public Marinas

0

0

Private Marinas

0

2

Wet Slips

0

13

Dry Slips

0

0


Table 3.4-5.

Summary of Lookout Shoals Lake Private Recreational
Access Facilities


Type of Facility

No. Private Facilities

Piers

250

Lookout Shoals Lake Recreational Use Assessment

Visitation figures at the public access areas on Lookout Shoals Lake were derived based on estimates of the traffic entering the Duke Power-owned public access areas. Total estimated visitation during the 1999 study period for Lookout Shoals Lake at these sites was 48,780 visits. Figure 3.4-2 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Lookout Shoals Lake 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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Figure 3.4-2.

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

Figure 3.4-2.

Table 3.4-6 provides a summary of the estimated recreational visitation based on the traffic counter data for the sampled sites during the 1999 study period. 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 a ratio of 1.3 to 1. The estimated overall recreational visitation for Lookout Shoals Lake for the 1999 study period totaled 63,605 visits.

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Table 3.4-6.

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

Lookout Shoals Lake 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 3.4-7) by the following factors (Warren and Rea, 1989, as modified):

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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
0
6. Crowding rating
0
 
Total
-3

Table 3.4-7. 

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


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 3.4-8 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 3.4-9 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use for Lookout Shoals Lake on the peak day during the 1999 study period. Lookout Shoals Lake during the weekday was estimated at 21 percent capacity, during the weekend at 16 percent capacity, and during the peak holiday period at 44 percent capacity for overall boating use.

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Table 3.4-8. 

Lookout Shoals Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment


Boat Activity

Usable Acreage

Use Factor

Opt. No. Boats

% Usage

Boat
Activity
Mix

Persons/ Boat

Total Users

Fishing

1,305

8.0

163

42%

68

3.14

215

Canoe/Kayak

1,305

2.0

653

6%

42

3.26

137

Motor Boating

898

15.0

60

16%

10

3.90

38

Sailing

898

8.0

112

3%

4

3.36

12

Jet Skiing

898

8.0

112

19%

22

3.85

84

Water Skiing

898

17.0

53

13%

7

4.39

30

Total

     

100%

152

 

515


Table 3.4-9.

Lookout Shoals Lake Estimated 1999 Study Period Boat Capacity


Peak Use

Weekday

% Capacity

Weekend

% Capacity

Holiday

% Capacity

No. boats

32

21%

24

16%

67

44%

The optimum boat carrying capacity assessment provides an assessment of the total surface area available for 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 flyovers for each day of aerial coverage. Figure 3.4-3 shows the location of boats during the peak use day for Lookout Shoals Lake. Figure 3.4-4 shows the boating density on Lookout Shoals Lake for the peak use day and denotes areas where the greatest clustering of boating activity occurred. Figure 3.4-5 shows the boat density map based on the composite of the three highest boating use days. This figure illustrates the areas where 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.

Based on the boat capacity study in Table 3.4-9, there are no crowding problems on Lookout Shoals Lake. The highest capacity reached was 44% on a holiday weekend. The Peak Use Day Boat Density map, Figure 3.4-4 (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 three highest boat count days, Figure 3.4-5, there is only one area where boat density is higher than the rest of the lake. For all of the remaining times during the year the boat density levels are very low.

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Figure 3.4-3

Lookout Shoals Lake Peak Use Day Boat Counts

Figure 3.4-3

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Figure 3.4-4

Lookout Shoals Lake Peak Use Day Boat Density Map

Figure 3.4-4

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Figure 3.4-5

Lookout Shoals Lake Composite Peak Use Boat Density Map

Figure 3.4-5

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Lookout Shoals Lake Estimated Future Recreational Demand

Table 3.4-10 provides the population projections for the counties within 50-60 miles of Lookout Shoals Lake. 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 3.4-10. 

Lookout Shoals Lake Estimated Population Projections for the Impact Zone


County

1999

2000

2010

2020

2030

2040

2050

Burke

77,086

85,651

92,340

98,366

108,595

119,888

132,355

Wilkes

176,416

64,407

66,789

68,158

72,777

77,710

82,976

Alexander

29121

32,357

36,056

39,314

45,333

52,273

60,275

Watauga

37,759

41,954

45,542

48,552

51,821

55,310

59,033

Avery

14,149

15,721

16,002

16,054

16,853

17,692

18,573

Caldwell

68,560

76,178

78,758

80,411

86,374

92,779

99,659

Davie

29,402

32,669

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