3.8	Fishing Creek Lake

Fishing Creek Lake is located downstream of Lake Wylie southeast of Rock Hill in Lancaster and Chester counties, South Carolina. Fishing Creek Lake has a surface area of about 3,191 acres and 67.1 shoreline miles at full pond elevation of 417.2 feet MSL.

3.8.1

Fishing Creek Lake Shoreline Classification

Table 3.8-1 summarizes the shoreline classification for Fishing Creek Lake, based on the July 2001 SMP maps.

Table 3.8-1.

Shoreline Classification for Fishing Creek Lake

Shoreline Classification	Shoreline Miles	Percent of Total
Commercial /Non-Residential	0.1	0.1%
Commercial /Residential	0.0	0.0%
Residential	3.6	5.4%
Business Industrial	0.2	0.3%
Public Recreation	0.2	0.3%
Public Infrastructure	0.9	1.3%
Project Operations	0.8	1.2%
Future Commercial/Non-Residential	23.2	34.6%
Future Commercial/Residential	1.5	2.2%
Future Residential	11.5	17.1%
Future Public Recreation	4.5	6.7%
Impact Minimization Zones	0.5	0.7%
Impact Minimization Zones (Dev)	0.0	0.0%
Environmental Area	18.0	26.8%
Natural Area	2.2	3.3%
Total	67.1	100.0%

 

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3.8.2

Fishing Creek Lake Shallow Water Fish Habitat Survey

Table 3.8-2 summarizes the shoreline classification for Fishing Creek Lake, based on the results of the SWFHS.

Table 3.8-2.

Fishing Creek Lake Shallow Water Habitat Shoreline Classifications (Miles)

Lake	Developed	Sand	Cobble	Woody Debris	Vegetated	Natural	Undeveloped No Critical Habitat	Total
Fishing C.	4.6	0.4	0.1	11.7	17.2	0.2	29.1	63

Fishing Creek Lake 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.

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3.8.3

Fishing Creek Lake Cultural Resources Assessment

Within the Fishing Creek Lake Study Area, there are 18 previously recorded cultural resources including 3 architectural resources and 15 archaeological sites. Architectural resources include a cemetery, a waterway, and a bridge. The architectural resources range in date from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. The archeological sites range in date from the Early Archaic through the Historic periods.

The majority of the archaeological sites contain lithic or ceramic artifacts. Many of the sites have Archaic and Woodland period components. Three of the sites are Middle Archaic sites. A possible Catawba Indian burial site is under water.

Of the 15 recorded archaeological sites, the Landsford Canal site is the only site listed in the National Register.

The Landsford Canal is 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 Fishing Creek 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.

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3.8.4

Fishing Creek Lake Recreational Use and Carrying Capacity Assessment

Fishing Creek Lake Existing Recreational Areas

There are 2 developed Duke Power-owned public recreational access locations on Fishing Creek Lake. There is one state park facility and one SCDNR boating access area located along Fishing Creek Lake. Figure 3.8-1 shows the public recreational access locations. There are no public commercial non-residential or commercial residential marinas located on Fishing Creek Lake. The following sections describe the Duke Power-owned public access area facilities at Fishing Creek Lake.

In the 1994 SMP, Duke Power did not propose to make any improvements to the two access areas on the lake. Duke Power did add 16 acres of land to the Fishing Creek access area.

Existing Duke Power-Owned Public Access Areas

The developed Duke Power-owned public access areas provide about 25 acres and 4,395 feet of shoreline frontage of public access at Fishing Creek Lake. Combined, the developed access areas have 2 public boat ramps and about 93 vehicle/trailer parking spaces. Table 3.8-3 summarizes the facilities at the public access areas.

Table 3.8-3.

Fishing Creek 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)
Cane Creek	4.1	1,129	1	0	0	0	35
Fishing Creek	20.4	3,266	1	0	0	0	58
Total	24.5	4,395	2	0	0	0	93

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State and County Public Recreational Facilities

There is one state park, Landsford Canal State Park, in the northern portion of Fishing Creek Lake and one SCDNR boat access area in the middle portion of Fishing Creek Lake. Table 3.8-4 summarizes the recreational facilities provided at the Landsford Canal State Park. The SCDNR boat access provides a parking area and boat launch.

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.8-1 Fishing Creek Lake Public Recreational Access Areas

 

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Table 3.8-4

Summary of Landsford Canal State Park Public Recreational Facilities

Site Description/Facility	Number
Picnic shelter	1
Community building	1
Picnic tables	20
Nature trail	1 mile
Canoe trail	2.5 miles
Museum	1 (by appointment)
Playground	1
River fishing	1

Existing Commercial and Private Recreational Access

There are no public commercial non-residential or commercial residential marinas located on Fishing Creek Lake. Private access to Fishing Creek Lake is through private marinas and private piers along the Fishing Creek Lake shoreline. Table 3.8-5 shows the estimated number of private piers.

Table 3.8-5.

Summary of Fishing Creek Lake Private Recreational Access Facilities

Type of Facility	No. Private Facilities
Piers	110

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Fishing Creek Lake Recreational Use Assessment

Visitation figures for the public access areas on Fishing Creek 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 Fishing Creek Lake at these sites was 58,802 visits. Figure 3.8-2 shows the distribution of the visitation for each month at Fishing Creek 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.

Figure 3.8-2.

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

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Table 3.8-6 summarizes the estimated recreational visitation based on traffic counter data for the sampled sites during the 1999 study period. Of the recreational visitation on Fishing Creek Lake, about 64 percent of the recreational visitation occurred at the Fishing Creek access area. 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 a ratio of 1.1 to 1. The estimated overall recreational visitation for Fishing Creek Lake for the 1999 study period totaled 64,067 visits.

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Table 3.8-6.

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

Fishing Creek 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 3.8-7) 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	-
5.	Amount of facility and shoreline development	0
6.	Crowding rating	0
	Total	-3

Table 3.8-7.

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 3.8-8 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 3.8-9 provides the assessment of the percent capacity of the boat use for Fishing Creek Lake on the peak day during the 1999 study period. Fishing Creek Lake during the weekday was estimated at 1 percent capacity, during the weekend at 4 percent capacity, and during the peak holiday period at 5 percent capacity for overall boating use.

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Table 3.8-8.

Fishing Creek Lake Boat Carrying Capacity Assessment

Boat Activity	Usable Acreage	Use Factor	Opt. No. Boats	% Usage	Boat Activity Mix	Persons/ Boat	Total Users
Fishing	3,112	8.0	389	52%	202	3.14	634
Canoe/Kayak	3,112	2.0	1,556	14%	218	3.26	711
Motor Boating	2,282	15.0	152	19%	29	3.90	113
Sailing	2,282	8.0	285	0%	-	3.36	-
Jet Skiing	2,282	8.0	285	0%	-	3.85	-
Water Skiing	2,282	17.0	134	14%	19	4.39	84
Total				100%	468		1,542

Table 3.8-9

Fishing Creek Lake Estimated 1999 Study Period Boat Capacity

Peak Use	Weekday	% Capacity	Weekend	% Capacity	Holiday	% Capacity
No. Boats	4	1%	21	4%	23	5%

The overall 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 3.8-3 shows the location of boats during the peak use day for Fishing Creek Lake. Figure 3.8-4 shows the boating density on Fishing Creek Lake for the peak use day and areas with the greatest clustering of boating activity. Figure 3.8-5 shows the boat density map based on the composite of the five highest boating use days. This figure illustrates the areas with the most boating use during the peak use days during the study period and provides an assessment of areas with high density boating during this same period.

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Based on the boat capacity study in Table 3.8-9, there are no crowding problems on Fishing Creek Lake. The highest capacity reached was about 5% capacity on a holiday weekend and 4% capacity on weekends. The Peak Use Day Boat Density map, Figure 3.8-4 (for only one day), does not show any areas where the boat density is higher than the rest of the lake. When averaging the four highest boat count days, Figure 3.8-5, there are no areas where boat densities are higher than the rest of the lake. For all of the remaining times during the year the boat density levels are extremely low.

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.8-3 Fishing Creek Lake Peak Use Day Boat Counts

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.8-4 Fishing Creek Lake Peak Use Day Boat Density Map

Click Here to View Full Figure 3.8-5 Fishing Creek Lake Composite Peak Use Boat Density Map

Fishing Creek Lake Estimated Future Recreational Demand

Table 3.8-10 provides the population projections for the counties within 50-60 miles of Fishing Creek 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.

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Table 3.8-10.

Fishing Creek Lake Estimated Population Projections for the Impact Zone

County	1999	2000	2010	2020	2030	2040	2050
Lancaster	51,750	57,500	58,500	64,250	69,694	5,598	82,003
Chester	30,690	34,100	36,100	39,150	41,354	43,682	46,142
York	144,990	161,100	198,600	214,710	258,662	311,612	375,401
Kershaw	44,820	49,800	55,300	60,280	67,317	75,176	83,951
Lee	18,270	20,300	20,400	22,430	23,384	24,378	25,414
Fairfield	21,150	23,500	25,000	27,350	29,122	31,009	33,018
Total	311,670	346,300	393,900	428,170	489,533	561,445	645,929

Table 3.8-11 provides the estimated recreational use for the impact zone through the year 2050. Current use estimates are based on spot counts and responses to surveys. The recreational use projections were estimated by computing the projected population increase for the impact zone and incorporating indexed values for future recreational use for the various activities. The index values for each activity were obtained from "Outdoor Recreation in American Life: A National Assessment of Demand and Supply Trends" (Cordell, 1999). The indices are based on models that incorporate a number of variables, including age structure of the population, income, race, sex, and population density, as well as other explanatory variables. Full model parameters and estimates are available from the author.

Table 3.8-12 shows the estimated absorption percentage for the four major recreation activities that require specific lands and facilities. Picnicking, swimming, camping, and boating are activities that require specific developed facilities. The other activities listed are dispersed activities that can take place at a variety of undeveloped areas. The estimated 1999 use levels are from Table 3.8-11. The estimated demand is based on the impact zone population (population of all counties within 50-60 miles of the lake). The impact zone population is multiplied by the participation rate for the activity, which was obtained from "Emerging Markets for Outdoor Recreation in the United States: Based on the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment" (Cordell et al., 1996). Participation rates are for the South and are similar to 1995 North Carolina SCORP data and 1995 South Carolina SCORP data. Specific participation rates are as follows: swimming, 37.3%; picnicking, 44.8%; camping, 22.4%; and boating, 45.0%. The product of the impact zone population and participation rates are then multiplied by the estimated of number of days of participation for each activity, which were obtained from the 1995 North Carolina SCORP (days of participation numbers specific to South Carolina are not available). The 1999 estimated number of participants for each activity was then divided by the 1999 estimated demand to obtain the estimated absorption percentage. Absorption percentage is defined as the percent of total demand for the impact zone that is met by the individual lake.

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Table 3.8-13 provides the estimate of the recreational facilities land acreage needed to meet the future recreational demand through the year 2050. The weighted population is the estimated impact zone population multiplied by the participation rate for each activity. The facility standards and estimated acreage needs for the facility class are based on State SCORPS and FERC Guidelines for Outdoor Recreational Facilities. The facility need is the total facility need for the impact zone based on the weighted population and the facility standards. The total facility need is then multiplied by the absorption percentage to determine the facility need for Fishing Creek Lake. The acreage needs are then based on the Fishing Creek Lake facility need multiplied by per unit acreage needs that are based on State SCORPS and FERC Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation Facilities. Current use of Fishing Creek Lake does not include picnicking or camping. It is anticipated that Fishing Creek Lake could provide opportunities that would meet a small amount of the regional demand for these activities. For Fishing Creek Lake, it is estimated that 6 acres is required to accommodate future recreational facilities demand through the year 2050. This includes 0 acres of beaches, 0 acres of picnic areas, 0 acres of campsites, and 6 acres of boat ramps.

The estimated acreage needs for the reservoir are total usable acreage needs. Usable land acreage at existing developed public recreational facilities can be counted toward meeting these needs. Duke Power sites, county and state parks, and other private and public agencies will meet these needs. Duke Power is expected to meet a portion of the future recreational land needs. The entire estimated need will be met by a combination of opportunities from all sources.

Because of Fishing Creek Lake's small size there were not a large number of survey respondents for Fishing Creek Lake, the most frequently identified recreational facility needs mentioned were for more boat ramps and toilets. In the next five-year improvement plan, Duke Power plans to replace the one ramp at the Fishing Creek access area with two new boat ramps and to install a loading pier. Duke Power does not plan to install restrooms at either of the access areas due to the vandalism the sites receive.

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Table 3.8-11.

Fishing Creek Lake Estimated Future Recreational Use

Activity	Est. 1999 Rec Use	Rec Use 2010	Rec Use 2020	Rec Use 2030	Rec Use 2040	Rec Use 2050
Motor Boating*	11,125	12,765	14,131	16,401	19,335	22,927
Boat Fishing*	34,467	42,246	48,966	58,273	67,308	76,142
Bank/Pier Fish	18,475	22,645	26,247	31,236	36,079	40,814
Lake Swimming	9,833	11,800	13,520	16,171	19,559	23,861
Canoeing*	9,833	11,658	13,100	15,747	19,635	25,412
Jet Skiing*	0	0	0	0	0	0
Kayaking*	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tailrace Fishing	2,483	3,044	3,528	4,198	4,849	5,486
Sailing*	0	0	0	0	0	0
Water Ski/Tubing*	8,642	9,916	10,977	12,740	15,019	17,810
Backpacking	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hunting	2,483	2,744	2,890	3,135	3,317	3,490
Tent/Vehicle Camp	0	0	0	0	0	0
Windsurfing	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bicycling	0	0	0	0	0	0
Picnicking	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sightseeing	2,483	3,196	3,916	4,933	6,205	7,751
Hiking	3,675	4,867	6,095	7,802	9,743	11,945
Wildlife Viewing	0	0	0	0	0	0
Using Playgrounds	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sub-total*	64,067	76,585	87,174	103,161	121,297	142,291
Total	103,500	124,881	143,370	170,636	201,049	235,638

*Boating activities

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Table 3.8-12.

Fishing Creek Lake Estimated Absorption Percentage for Reservoir

Activity	Estimated 1999 Participants	Estimated 1999 Demand	Absorption Percentage
Swimming	9,833	966,061	1.0%
Picnicking	0	600,401	0%
Camping	0	233,877	0%
Boating	64,067	771,383	8.3%

Table 3.8-13.

Fishing Creek Lake Estimated Recreational Facility Land Acreage Needs

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Activity	Year	Weighted Population	Facility Standard	Facility Need	Facility Class	Fishing Creek Lake Share	Acreage
Swimming	2010	s295,425	1 per 50,000	6	beaches	0.03	0.16
	2020	321,128	1 per 50,000	6	beaches	0.03	0.18
	2030	367,150	1 per 50,000	7	beaches	0.04	0.20
	2040	415,337	1 per 50,000	8	beaches	0.04	0.23
	2050	469,849	1 per 50,000	9	beaches	0.05	0.27
Picnicking	2010	295,425	1 per 500	591	tables	0.00	0.00
	2020	321,128	1 per 500	642	tables	0.00	0.00
	2030	367,150	1 per 500	734	tables	0.00	0.00
	2040	415,337	1 per 500	831	tables	0.00	0.00
	2050	469,849	1 per 500	940	tables	0.00	0.00
Camping	2010	295,425	6 per 1,000	1,773	campsites	0.00	0.00
	2020	321,128	6 per 1,000	1,927	campsites	0.00	0.00
	2030	367,150	6 per 1,000	2,203	campsites	0.00	0.00
	2040	415,337	6 per 1,000	2,492	campsites	0.00	0.00
	2050	469,849	6 per 1,000	2,819	campsites	0.00	0.00
Boating	2010	295,425	1 per 4000	74	boat ramps	3.81	3.81
	2020	321,128	1 per 4000	80	boat ramps	4.14	4.14
	2030	367,150	1 per 4000	92	boat ramps	4.74	4.74
	2040	415,337	1 per 4000	104	boat ramps	5.43	5.43
	2050	469,849	1 per 4000	117	boat ramps	6.25	6.25
					Total Acreage for 2050		6.51

3.8.5

Fishing Creek Lake Proposed Recreational Enhancements

Based on comments received from the Recreation Use and Needs Survey conducted for Duke Power in 1999, the respondents indicated a need for more boat ramps, picnicking, toilets and camping on Fishing Creek Lake. Through Duke Power's general improvement plan additional boat ramps will be constructed in the next 5 years to meet the identified needs.

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Through the AAII, additional boat ramps, picnicking, toilets camping and other facilities may also be installed as Duke Power begins accepting access area lease requests by non-agency groups for the access areas not leased to the agencies. The non-agency groups had to wait until after June 1, 2000 (the deadline for agencies to submit an application, plan and schedule), before Duke Power would consider accepting their applications.

Based on the projected population projections and facility standards and estimated acreage needs for the facility class, approximately 6 acres will be needed through 2050 to meet future recreational facility demand. Currently 25 acres of mainland and 200 acres of islands have been reserved for recreational use. The land is good topographically and will be able to support the facilities identified by the survey respondents in the Recreation Use and Needs Study. There is also one South Carolina State Park and one SCDNR public boat ramp on the lake that provide additional recreation facilities.

Of the few survey response received the main change the respondents would like to see is reciprocal fishing license agreement between North and South Carolina.

The known proposed recreational changes for Fishing Creek Lake follow:

Duke Power Access

Fishing Creek Access Area, Chester County, South Carolina

The changes proposed by Duke Power for this site in the next 5 years are:

	Install 2 new boat ramps.
	Install a loading pier.
	Develop a new paved parking lot.

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