20070812 Ver 1_16 - Regional Recreation Eval Final (2)_20080502

Alcoa Power Generating Inc.
Yadkin Division
Yadkin Project Relicensing (FERC No. 2197)
Regional Recreation Evaluation
Final Study Report
April 2005
Table of Contents
SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. ...... 1
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ ...... 2
1.1 Study Purpose ............................................................................................................ ...... 3
1.2 Study Methods ........................................................................................................... ...... 3
1.2.1 Data Collection ................................................................................................. ...... 3
1.2.2 Regional Recreation Review ............................................................................. ...... 3
1.2.3 Characterization of Regional Recreation Resources ......................................... ...... 6
1.2.4 Comparison of Yadkin Project Recreation Resources with Other Regional
Resources .......................................................................................................... ...... 9
1.2.5 Review of Yadkin Area Recreation Plans and Future Opportunities ............... ...... 9
2.0 Yadkin Project Recreation Resources ........................................................................ ...... 9
2.1 High Rock Reservoir .................................................................................................. ...... 9
2.1.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources ................................................................... .... 10
2.1.2 Recreational Experience ................................................................................... .... 12
2.1.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................. ....12
2.2 Tuckertown Reservoir ................................................................................................ .... 13
2.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources ................................................................... .... 13
2.2.2 Recreational Experience ................................................................................... .... 14
2.2.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................. ....15
2.3 Narrows Reservoir ..................................................................................................... .... 15
2.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources ................................................................... .... 15
2.3.2 Recreational Experience ................................................................................... .... 16
2.3.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................. ....17
2.4 Falls Reservoir ........................................................................................................... .... 18
2.4.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources ................................................................... .... 18
2.4.2 Recreational Experience ................................................................................... .... 18
2.4.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................. ....19
3.0 Other Regional Reservoir Recreation Resources ....................................................... .... 19
3.1 Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project ................................................................................... .... 19
3.1.1 Lake Tillery ....................................................................................................... .... 20
3.1.2 Blewett Falls Lake ............................................................................................ .... 22
3.2 Harris Lake ................................................................................................................. .... 23
3.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources ................................................................... .... 24
3.2.2 Recreational Experience ................................................................................... .... 25
3.2.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................. ....25
3.3 Hyco Lake .................................................................................................................. .... 25
3.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources ................................................................... .... 25
3.3.2 Recreational Experience ................................................................................... .... 26
3.3.3 Tourism ............................................................................................................. ....26
3.4 Catawba-Wateree Project ........................................................................................... .... 27
3.4.1 Lake James ........................................................................................................ .... 27
3.4.2 Lake Rhodhiss ................................................................................................... .... 30
3.4.3 Lake Hickory .................................................................................................... .... 32
3.4.4 Lookout Shoals Lake ........................................................................................ .... 34
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3.4.5 Lake Norman ............................................................................. ........................... 35
3.4.6 Mountain Island Lake ................................................................ ........................... 39
3.4.7 Lake Wylie ................................................................................. ........................... 41
3.4.8 Fishing Creek Lake .................................................................... ........................... 43
3.4.9 Great Falls/Rocky Creek Lakes ................................................. ........................... 45
3.4.10 Lake Wateree ............................................................................. ........................... 46
3.5 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects ............................................. ........................... 49
3.5.1 W. Kerr Scott Reservoir ............................................................. ........................... 49
3.5.2 John H. Kerr Reservoir .............................................................. ........................... 51
3.5.3 Falls Lake ................................................................................... ........................... 55
3.5.4 B. Everett Jordan Lake ............................................................... ........................... 57
3.6 Additional Smaller Reservoirs ............................................................ ........................... 60
4.0 Other Recreation Resources ................................................................ ........................... 61
4.1 National and State Forests .................................................................. ........................... 61
4.1.1 Uwharrie National Forest ........................................................... ........................... 62
4.1.2 Pisgah National Forest ............................................................... ........................... 63
4.1.3 Sumter National Forest .............................................................. ........................... 64
4.1.4 Sand Hills State Forest ............................................................... ........................... 65
4.1.5 Educational State Forests ........................................................... ........................... 65
4.2 State Parks and State Recreation Areas .............................................. ........................... 66
4.2.1 South Mountains State Park ....................................................... ........................... 67
4.2.2 Crowders Mountain State Park .................................................. ........................... 68
4.2.3 Pilot Mountain State Park .......................................................... ........................... 68
4.2.4 Hanging Rock State Park ........................................................... ........................... 69
4.2.5 Eno River State Park .................................................................. ........................... 70
4.2.6 Raven Rock State Park ............................................................... ........................... 71
4.2.7 William B. Umstead State Park ................................................. ........................... 72
4.3 Boones Cave Park ............................................................................... ........................... 72
4.4 Dan Nicholas Park .............................................................................. ........................... 73
4.5 Wildlife Refuges and Nature Preserves .............................................. ........................... 73
4.5.1 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve ........................... ........................... 73
4.5.2 Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge ............................................. ........................... 73
4.6 Fishing Access Areas .......................................................................... ........................... 74
4.7 Boating Access Areas ......................................................................... ........................... 75
4.8 Whitewater Boating ............................................................................ ........................... 77
4.9 Game Lands ........................................................................................ ........................... 77
4.10 Trail Systems ..................................................................................... ........................... 78
4.10.1 Mountains-to-Sea Trail .............................................................. ........................... 78
4.10.2 Yadkin-Pee Dee River Canoe Trail ........................................... ........................... 79
4.10.3 Blue Ridge Parkway ................................................................ ........................... 79
5.0 Yadkin Area Plans and Future Opportunities ..................................... ........................... 79
5.1 Davie County ...................................................................................... ........................... 79
5.2 Rowan County .................................................................................... ........................... 79
5.3 Davidson County ................................................................................ ........................... 80
5.4 Stanly County ...................................................................................... ........................... 80
5.5 Montgomery County ........................................................................... ........................... 80
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6.0 Comparison of Yadkin Project Recreation Resources with Other Regional
Resources ....................................................................................................................... 80
7.0 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................84
8.0 References ......................................................................................................................86
Appendix A: Final Study Plan ...................................................................................................... 92
Appendix B: Comment Summary ................................................................................................. 98
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List of Tables
Table 1: Summary of Reservoirs Included in the Study ............................................................. .... 4
Table 2: Yadkin Project SMP Shoreline Development Classifications ...................................... .... 6
Table 3: Lake Tillery SMP Shoreline Development Classifications .......................................... .... 7
Table 4: Catawba-Wateree Project SMP Shoreline Development Classifications ..................... .... 7
Table 5: John H. Kerr SMP Shoreline Development Classifications ......................................... .... 8
Table 6: Summary of Recreation Experience Categories ........................................................... .... 8
Table 7: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at High Rock Reservoir ............................ .. 10
Table 8: Percent Development by Category at High Rock Reservoir ........................................ .. 12
Table 9: Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at High Rock Reservoir ....... .. 12
Table 10 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Tuckertown Reservoir ........................ .. 14
Table 11 : Percent Development by Category at Tuckertown Reservoir .................................... .. 14
Table 12 : Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at Tuckertown Reservoir ... .. 15
Table 13 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Narrows Reservoir .............................. .. 16
Table 14 : Percent Development by Category at Narrows Reservoir .......................................... .. 17
Table 15 : Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at Narrows Reservoir......... .. 17
Table 16 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Falls Reservoir .................................... .. 18
Table 17 : Percent Development by Category at Falls Reservoir ................................................ .. 19
Table 18 : Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at Falls Reservoir ............... .. 19
Table 19 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Tillery ........................................ .. 20
Table 20 : Trail Summary for Morrow Mountain State Park ...................................................... .. 21
Table 21 : Percent Development by Category at Lake Tillery .................................................... .. 21
Table 22 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Blewett Falls Lake .............................. .. 23
Table 23 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Harris Lake ......................................... .. 24
Table 24 : Trail Summary for Harris Lake County Park ............................................................. .. 24
Table 25 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake James .......................................... .. 28
Table 26 : Trail Summary for Lake James State Park ................................................................. .. 28
Table 27 : Percent Development by Category at Lake James ..................................................... .. 29
Table 28 : Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake James ................................. .. 29
Table 29 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Rhodhiss .................................... .. 30
Table 30 : Percent Development by Category at Lake Rhodhiss ................................................ .. 31
Table 31 : Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Rhodhiss ............................ .. 31
Table 32 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Hickory ...................................... .. 32
Table 33 : Percent Development by Category at Lake Hickory .................................................. .. 33
Table 34 : Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Hickory ............................. .. 33
Table 35 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lookout Shoals Lake .......................... .. 34
Table 36 : Percent Development by Category at Lookout Shoals Lake ...................................... .. 34
Table 37 : Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lookout Shoals Lake ................. .. 35
Table 38 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Norman ...................................... .. 36
Table 39 : Trail Summary for Lake Norman State Park .............................................................. .. 37
Table 40 : Percent Development by Category at Lake Norman .................................................. .. 37
Table 41 : Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Norman ............................. .. 38
Table 42 : Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Mountain Island Lake ......................... .. 39
Table 43 : Percent Development by Category at Mountain Island Lake ..................................... .. 40
Table 44 : Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Mountain Island Lake ................ .. 40
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Table 45: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Wylie .......................................... .. 41
Table 46: Percent Development by Category at Lake Wylie ..................................................... .. 42
Table 47: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Wylie ................................. .. 42
Table 48: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Fishing Creek Lake ............................. .. 43
Table 49: Percent Development by Category at Fishing Creek Lake ......................................... .. 44
Table 50: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Fishing Creek Lake .................... .. 44
Table 51: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes ... .. 45
Table 52: Percent Development by Category at Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes ............... .. 45
Table 53: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Great Falls and Rocky Creek
Lakes ......................................................................................................................... .. 46
Table 54: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Wateree ...................................... .. 47
Table 55: Trail Summary for Lake Wateree State Recreation Area ........................................... .. 47
Table 56: Percent Development by Category at Lake Wateree .................................................. .. 48
Table 57: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Wateree ............................. .. 48
Table 58: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir ................................. .. 50
Table 59: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at John H. Kerr Reservoir .................................. .. 51
Table 60: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area ................... .. 52
Table 61: Trail Summary for Occoneechee State Park ............................................................... .. 53
Table 62: Trail Summary for Staunton River State Park ........................................................... ... 54
Table 63: Percent Development by Category at John H. Kerr Reservoir ................................... .. 54
Table 64: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Falls Lake ....................................................... .. 56
Table 65: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Falls Lake State Recreation Area ................... .. 56
Table 66: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at B. Everett Jordan Lake ................................... .. 58
Table 67: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area ................ .. 58
Table 68: Additional Smaller Reservoirs Identified ................................................................... .. 60
Table 69: Summary of Recreation Sites in the Uwharrie National Forest ................................. .. 62
Table 70: Trail Summary for Uwharrie National Forest ........................................................... ... 63
Table 71: Trail Summary for the Enoree District of Sumter National Forest ............................ .. 65
Table 72: State Parks and State Recreation Areas Inventoried in the Regional Recreation
Evaluation ................................................................................................................. .. 66
Table 73: Trail Summary for South Mountains State Park ......................................................... .. 67
Table 74: Trail Summary for Crowders Mountain State Park .................................................... .. 68
Table 75: Trail Summary for Pilot Mountain State Park ........................................................... ... 69
Table 76: Trail Summary for Hanging Rock State Park ............................................................. .. 69
Table 77: Trail Summary for Eno River State Park .................................................................... .. 70
Table 78: Trail Summary for Raven Rock State Park ............................................................... ... 71
Table 79: Trail Summary for William B. Umstead State Park ................................................... .. 72
Table 80: Trail Summary for Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve ............................. .. 73
Table 81: Summary of NCWRC-Managed Fishing Access Areas within the Study Region..... .. 74
Table 82: Summary of NCWRC-Managed Boating Access Areas within the Study Region .... .. 75
Table 83: Summary of NCWRC-Managed Game Lands within the Study Region ................... .. 78
Table 84: Summary of Recreational Opportunities at Reservoirs within the Study Region ...... .. 81
Table 85: Percentage of Recreation Sites at Each Reservoir Managed by a Governmental
Agency ...................................................................................................................... .. 82
Table 86: Summary of Experience Classifications for Reservoirs within the Study Region ..... .. 83
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Table 87: Type of Shoreline Experience Compared with Number of Shoreline Miles and
Surface Area ..........................................................................................................
Table 1 (Appendix B): Summary of Comments and Responses ............................................
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SUMMARY
The Regional Recreation Evaluation Report presents the results of a study of the recreational
opportunities provided by the Yadkin Project reservoirs in a regional context. The study was
conducted as part of the FERC relicensing process for the Yadkin Project, in accordance with the
Final Study Plan that was developed by Yadkin in consultation with the Recreation, Aesthetics
and Shoreline Management Issue Advisory Group (IAG). The primary purpose of the study was
to provide a general characterization of the recreation opportunities and experiences available in
the region and to examine how they compare to those available at the Yadkin Project. For the
study, twenty-three (23) different reservoirs located within 100 miles of the Yadkin Project were
examined in terms of recreational opportunities, recreational experience, and tourism. Several
other important recreation destinations located within 100 miles of the Yadkin Project, including
several national forests and state parks, were also evaluated as part of the study.
The study results show that residents and visitors have ample opportunities to enjoy water-based
public recreation activities within the study region. The Yadkin Project has about 40 public
access recreation areas that provide opportunities for boating, pier and bank fishing, swimming,
picnicking, and camping. In addition, the four reservoirs located within the Yadkin Project
provide some unique opportunities for recreational users to enjoy the central North Carolina
region's natural surroundings. It includes one undeveloped reservoir (Falls) that provides a
"natural" recreation experience and two reservoirs (Narrows and Falls) located adjacent to the
Uwharrie National Forest. The proximity of the National Forest ensures a large amount of
natural shoreline, a feature most other reservoirs in the region cannot offer to recreational users.
The recreational opportunities available within the Yadkin Project are comparable with those
offered at other reservoirs. Federally-owned reservoirs, such as the four U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) reservoirs, generally provide more opportunities for camping and
swimming than power-related reservoirs (including the Yadkin Project reservoirs). However,
local, state and federal parks in the region offer a wider range of activities, including land-based
recreation opportunities such as rock climbing, hiking, and mountain biking.
Generally within the region, reservoir-related tourism is more actively promoted for the larger
reservoirs offering more recreational opportunities. The larger reservoirs receive a combination
of resident and visitor use; whereas the smaller reservoirs generally receive mainly local use.
The smaller reservoirs with more limited recreation opportunities generally receive little
promotion as tourist destinations.
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1.0 Introduction
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) is the licensee for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project
(Yadkin Projector Project). The Yadkin Project is managed and operated by APGI's Yadkin
Division and is currently licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as
Project No. 2197. This license expires in 2008 and APGI must file a new license application
with FERC on or before April 30, 2006.
As part of the relicensing process, APGI prepared and distributed, in September 2002, an Initial
Consultation Document (ICD), which provides a general overview of the Project. Agencies,
municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public were given an
opportunity to review the ICD and identify information and studies that were needed to address
relicensing issues. To assist in the identification of issues and data or study needs, APGI formed
several Issue Advisory Groups (IAGs) to advise APGI on resource issues throughout the
relicensing process.
In January 2003, relicensing participants identified an issue and study request specific to this
study:
Issue/Comment Stud Request
Yadkin Project recreation Evaluate regional recreation
facilities/opportunities may not be adequate
from a regional perspective
This study request was initially discussed with the Recreation, Aesthetics and Shoreline
Management (RASM) IAG at a March 13, 2003 meeting. A Draft Study Plan was distributed for
review and comment in April 2004. On May 5, 2004, Yadkin met with the RASM IAG to
discuss comments received on the Draft Study Plan. The study plan was revised based on
comments received and finalized in July 2004 (see Appendix A). As a result, a Draft Study
Report was developed in response to comments on the ICD and through discussions with the
RASM IAG, to provide additional necessary information for consideration in the relicensing
process. Upon completion, the Draft was distributed to the RASM IAG on January 13, 2005.
Comments were received at a February 2, 2005 RASM IAG meeting. Additionally, participants
were given until March 4, 2005 to prepare additional comments. This Final Report reflects the
comments received (see Appendix B).
In addition to this regional recreation evaluation, two other studies related to recreation were
conducted to address relicensing issues: the Recreation Facility Inventory and Condition
Assessment (APGI Yadkin Division, 2005) and the Draft Recreational Use Assessment (ERM,
2004). The information collected by each study will be used alone and in combination with
information collected during the other recreation studies to evaluate the adequacy of existing
Project public recreation areas to accommodate current use and future demand.
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1.1 Study Purpose
Based on the recommendations of the RASM IAG, the purpose of this study is to compare the
outdoor recreational opportunities and experiences afforded by the Yadkin Project reservoirs to
those afforded by other regional reservoir related recreation sites. The specific objectives for the
study are:
o Identify and inventory the publicly available (governmental and private) recreation
sites/facilities at other reservoirs in the study region
o Provide a general characterization of the recreational opportunities and experiences
available at these reservoirs and sites
o Evaluate how recreation opportunities available at the Yadkin Project compare with those
available elsewhere within the study region.
1.2 Study Methods
1.2.1 Data Collection
The information used for this study was obtained from existing information and consultation
with regional recreation site managers. Information used in this study includes:
o Tourist guides
o Maps
o Brochures
o The Internet
o Recreation and tourism studies
o Literature from recreation providers
o Public documents
o Interviews with regional recreation providers, site managers and local officials
1.2.2 Regional Recreation Review
Existing recreation information was reviewed and compiled to create a general inventory of
major regional recreation sites found at the Yadkin Project and at other locations within the
"study region". For purposes of this study, the "study region" is defined as the area within a 100-
mile radius of the Yadkin Project (see Figure 1). The inventory focuses on the major outdoor
water-based recreational opportunities afforded by other reservoirs and lakes within the study
region. Twenty-three large reservoirs were identified within the study region (Table 1). The
majority of the reservoirs are used for hydroelectric power generation. Two reservoirs are used
as cooling reservoirs for power plants and four reservoirs were built for various purposes such as
flood control.
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Table 1: Summa of Reservoirs Included in the Stud
Reservoir Name Owner Purpose Surface Area
acres Shoreline
Miles
High Rock Reservoir APGI Hydroelectric 15,180 360
Tuckertown Reservoir APGI Hydroelectric 2,560 75
Narrows Reservoir APGI Hydroelectric 5,355 115
Falls Reservoir APGI Hydroelectric 204 6
Lake Tillery Progress Energy Hydroelectric 5,700 118
Blewett Falls Lake Progress Energy Hydroelectric 2,900 46.9

Harris Lake Progress Energy Cooling reservoir
(nuclear) 4,150 40

Hyco Lake Progress Energy Cooling reservoir
(steam electric) 3,750 160
Lake James Duke Power Hydroelectric 6,500 151.1
Lake Rhodhiss Duke Power H droelectric 3,000 103.9
Lake Hickory Duke Power Hydroelectric 3,900 110.6
Lookout Shoals Lake Duke Power Hydroelectric 1,200 36.3
Lake Norman Duke Power Hydroelectric 32,000 591.6
Mountain Island Lake Duke Power Hydroelectric 2,900 86.5
Lake Wylie Duke Power Hydroelectric 12,100 327.51
Fishing Creek Lake Duke Power Hydroelectric 3,200 67.1
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek Lakes Duke Power Hydroelectric 11020 37
Lake Wateree Duke Power Hydroelectric 13,864 213.1
W. Kerr Scott
Reservoir U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE)
Various
1 500
55
John H. Kerr Reservoir' USACE Various 48,900 800
Falls Lake USACE Various 12,400 175
B. Everett Jordan Lake USACE Various 14,000 200
' Although John H. Kerr Reservoir is located just outside the 100-mile radius used to define the study region, it was
identified as a reservoir for inclusion in this study by the study plan discussed with the RASM IAG.
The inventory of reservoir recreation sites includes all pertinent information on each of the
reservoirs to the extent the information was readily available, including reservoir
owner/operator/manager, reservoir location, reservoir setting, size, reservoir operating regime
(including seasonal water level changes) and the general character of the reservoir shoreline.
For each reservoir, each recreation site that provides direct reservoir access was inventoried. The
inventory of each recreation site includes the site name, owner/operator, and supporting facilities
for the predominant reservoir-based recreation activities: boating, fishing, camping, and
swimming. While the primary focus of the evaluation is public water-based recreation
opportunities associated with regional reservoirs, the study also considered (to a lesser extent)
commercial recreation associated with each reservoir and other major recreation facilities or sites
in the study region that provide other (non-reservoir-related) types of outdoor recreation
opportunities. Specifically, state parks/forests/recreation areas, national forests, nature preserves,
game lands, and trail and highway systems were inventoried.
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1.2.3 Characterization of Regional Recreation Resources
Each recreation site inventory provides a general characterization of the major types of activities
available at each site.
1.2.3.1 Types of Activities
Reservoir-related recreation sites in the study region were generally characterized by four major
recreational activities associated with reservoirs: boating, fishing, camping, and swimming.
Other activities associated with each reservoir recreation site were also characterized to the
extent such information was available. A broad range of recreational opportunities, including
opportunities not available at reservoir-related recreation sites, were found within the study
region at recreation sites not associated with reservoirs.
1.2.3.2 Recreational Experience
Each of the major reservoirs in the study region is characterized according to the recreational
experience offered by that site. To the extent such information was available, a reservoir's
experience was predominantly characterized by the reservoir's setting and the volume and types
of use. Specifically, information was obtained through public documents and through phone
interviews with reservoir officials on the amount of development, the type of development,
project operations, the carrying capacity of the reservoir, and the volume and type of use the
reservoirs receive.
Each reservoir or reservoir group had a different classification system for shoreline development.
Because these classifications were unique for each project, their respective classifications were
simplified into three categories: Undeveloped, Limited Development, and Developed.
For percentages of shoreline development, the Yadkin Project Shoreline Management Plan
(SMP) uses five different shoreline classifications: Forested, Residential, Agricultural,
Commercial/ Industrial, and Recreation (Yadkin Inc., 1999). For purposes of this study, the
Yadkin classifications have been simplified as follows:
Table 2: Yadkin Project SMP Shoreline Development Classifications
Yadkin Classification Regional Recreation Classification
Forested Undeveloped
Residential Developed
Agricultural Limited Development
Commercial/Industrial Developed
Recreation Limited Development
For percentages of shoreline development, the Lake Tillery SMP uses eight different shoreline
classifications: Commercial, Residential, Agricultural, Project Operations, Public Infrastructure,
Developed Public Recreation, Undeveloped Public Recreation, and Undeveloped Lands
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(Progress Energy, 2001). For purposes of this study, the Lake Tillery classifications have been
simplified as follows:
Table 3: Lake Tiller SMP Shoreline Development Classifications
Lake Tiller Classification Regional Recreation Classification
Commercial Developed
Residential Developed
Agricultural Limited Development
Project Operations Developed
Public Infrastructure Developed
Developed Public Recreation Limited Development
Undeveloped Public Recreation Undeveloped
Undeveloped Lands Undeveloped
For percentages of shoreline development, the Catawba-Wateree SMP uses 14 different shoreline
classifications' (Duke Power, 2001). The classifications are as follows: Commercial/Non-
Residential, Commercial/Residential, Residential, Business Industrial, Public Recreation, Public
Infrastructure, Project Operations, Future Commercial/Non-Residential, Future Residential,
Future Commercial/Residential, Future Public Recreation, Impact Minimization Zones,
Environmental Area, and Natural Area. For purposes of this study, the Catawba-Wateree
classifications have been simplified as follows:
Table 4: Catawba-Wateree Project SMP Shoreline Development Classifications
Catawba-Wateree Classification Regional Recreation Classification
Commercial/Non-Residential Developed
Commercial/Residential Developed
Residential Developed
Business Industrial Developed
Public Recreation Limited Development
Public Infrastructure Developed
Project Operations Developed
Future Commercial/Non-Residential Undeveloped
Future Commercial/Residential Undeveloped
Future Residential Undeveloped
Future Public Recreation Undeveloped
Impact Minimization Zones Undeveloped
Environmental Area Undeveloped
Natural Area Undeveloped
For percentages of shoreline development, the John H. Kerr SMP uses four different shoreline
classifications: Limited Development, Public Recreation, Protected, and Prohibited Access
' Duke Power is currently updating its shoreline development classifications through its FERC relicensing process.
These new classifications are not yet available and therefore have not been included in this report (Edward Bruce,
Duke Power, personal communication). The shoreline classifications used in this report for Catawba-Wateree
reservoirs are based solely on the 2001 Catawba-Wateree SMP.
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USACE, 1993). For purposes of this study, the John H. Kerr classifications have been
simplified as follows:
Table 5: John H. Kerr SMP Shoreline Development Classifications
John H. Kerr Classification Regional Recreation Classification
Limited Development Developed
Public Recreation Limited Development
Protected Undeveloped
Prohibited Access Developed
After the shoreline development data were reclassified into three simplified categories, the
information was reviewed in conjunction with all other available information including carrying
capacity, type and volume of use, and recreational data. Based on a qualitative assessment of all
available data, each reservoir was classified in one of three recreation experience categories:
Natural, Limited Development, or Developed. Table 6, below, summarizes the type of
experience that was considered to occur at reservoirs in each of the three categories used in this
report.
Table 6: Summary of Recreation Experience Categories
Developed A considerable amount of the reservoir shoreline is developed with either private
or commercial structures. The reservoir is accessible through many public and
commercial access sites. Use of the reservoir by recreationists is high. A person
recreating on this reservoir is very likely to encounter other people and signs of
development whenever the reservoir is used.
Limited Some of the reservoir shoreline is developed with private residences and small
Development commercial establishments. The reservoir is accessible through public access
sites or small commercial developments. Use of the reservoir by recreationists is
moderate. A person recreating on this reservoir is somewhat likely to encounter
other people using the reservoir and will have views of some man-made
structures along portions of the reservoir shoreline.
Natural There is little or no visible development along the reservoir shoreline. The
reservoir is accessible only from modest public recreation access sites. There is
no commercial development along the reservoir shoreline. A person recreating
on this reservoir may encounter others using the reservoir, but those encounters
would be relatively infrequent. Views of the shoreline from the reservoir would
appear almost completely free from structures and other man-made influences.
1.2.3.3 Tourism
In addition to specific recreation opportunities and experiences available, each reservoir is
characterized using existing information with respect to tourism. Tourism has been evaluated in
terms of the amount of tourism generated by the recreation site(s) and opportunities available at
each reservoir. Local officials and recreation site owners or operators were contacted and asked
to provide a general characterization of tourism at each reservoir. The information sought from
requisite officials includes general tourism information such as any estimates on type of use,
volume of use, and seasonal use patterns and activities by tourists at each reservoir. Local
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officials were also asked if they actively promote reservoir-related tourism, and whether they
have information or data that suggests that their promotional efforts have increased tourism use.
1.2.4 Comparison of Yadkin Project Recreation Resources with Other Regional
Resources
After the inventory and characterization of the regional recreation sites, the types of recreation
facilities, recreation opportunities and recreation experiences afforded by the Yadkin Project
reservoirs is compared to the other recreation sites in the study region. The comparison
generally characterizes the similarities and differences in the recreational opportunities and
experiences provided at the Yadkin Project to those available elsewhere in the region.
1.2.5 Review of Yadkin Area Recreation Plans and Future Opportunities
Each of the five counties surrounding the Yadkin Project (Davie, Rowan, Davidson, Stanly, and
Montgomery counties) have been interviewed to determine what plans the counties have for
adding recreational sites or facilities to the five county region over the next 10-20 years. The
counties have also been queried about their assessment of recreational needs that exist in the
region that are not currently being met at the Yadkin Project or elsewhere within the five county
region. Information obtained from the counties concerning recreation facility plans and needs
have been incorporated into the overall regional recreation assessment.
2.0 Yadkin Project Recreation Resources
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) Yadkin Division's Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2197)
consists of four dams and powerhouses that create High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows, and Falls
reservoirs. The four reservoirs fall within a 38-mile stretch of the Yadkin River (mile 272 to
mile 234) in south-central North Carolina and encompass a drainage area of 4,200 square miles.
All four developments are used for hydroelectric power generation.
Available information for determining reservoir experience at APGI's Yadkin Project includes
amount of shoreline development, number of private piers, visitation data, carrying capacity, and
recreation use data. This information was obtained from the Yadkin Shoreline Management Plan
(Yadkin Inc., 1999), the relicensing Initial Consultation Document (APGI Yadkin Division,
2002), and the Draft Recreational Use Assessment (ERM, 2004).
2.1 High Rock Reservoir
High Rock Reservoir is managed and operated by APGI's Yadkin Division. The reservoir is
located southeast of Salisbury in Rowan, Davidson, and Davie counties, North Carolina. High
Rock Reservoir has a surface area of about 15,180 acres and 360 shoreline miles at a full pond
elevation of 623.9 feet (Yadkin Inc., 1999).
High Rock is the uppermost and largest of the four reservoirs and is operated as a storage
reservoir on a seasonal basis. High Rock is operated according to operating guides. Under these
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guides, the reservoir is typically maintained at a relatively high water level during the recreation
season (May 15 - September 15) and then drawn down during the fall and winter. Typically,
winter drawdown at High Rock is between 12 and 15 feet (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
2.1.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
High Rock Reservoir has 102 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among
the 10 sites, there are 11 boat ramps and two swimming beaches (APGI Yadkin Division, 2005).
Table 7: Public Recreation Sites and O ortunities at High Rock Reservoir
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers /N YIN
Highway 601 APGI/Davie 1 0 N N
County
Rowan County Rowan County 1 0 N N
Pump Station
York Hill APGI 2 0 N N
Little Crane Creek APGI 2 0 N N
Southmont APGI 2 0 N N
Highway 47 APGI 0 0 N N
Buddle Creek APGI 1 0 Y N
Dutch Second APGI/NCWRC 1 0 N N
Creek
Flat Swamp APGI 1 0 Y N
High Rock Dam
Canoe Portage APGI 0 0 N N
Trail
Source: Recreation Facility Inventory and Assessment, APGI Yadkin Division, 2005.
Eagle Point Nature Preserve
The Eagle Point Nature Preserve, located on High Rock Reservoir in Rowan County, is managed
by Rowan County Parks and Recreation. The preserve consists of approximately 100 acres of
public land owned by Rowan County and another 80 acres on lease from Alcoa's Yadkin
Division (APGI Yadkin Division, 2005). The preserve is open daily and hours vary according to
the season. The preserve's facilities include hiking trails, a canoe access, and wildlife
observation sites. The preserve's canoe access is only accessible when High Rock Reservoir
water levels are relatively high and requires a 100-yard portage. The shoreline has "no
trespassing" signs posted to prevent unauthorized uses of the preserve, including hunting and
vegetation removal. According to Bob Pendergrass, Nature Center Supervisor, the "no
trespassing" signs are not intended to exclude access to the park via boat. Boat-in access is
allowed but must be done via paddling or electric motors only.
2Recreation sites currently considered closed were not included in this study.
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The preserve's network of trails covers approximately five miles (Rowan County, Eagle Point
Nature Preserve website). There are three main trails: the Plant ID Loop Trail, the Goldeneye
Cove Trail, and the Point Loop Trail. Located along the trails are three vernal pools (one with an
interpretive display), three homesites, one upland depression, and two official observation blinds.
The Plant ID Loop Trail is an interpretive loop with species signs beside various trees and plants.
Certain trail sections run along the lakeshore and provide access to the reservoir for bank fishing.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
High Rock Lake Marina and Campground is located on the Abbotts Creek arm of High Rock
Reservoir in Davidson County. The Marina and Campground facilities include tent sites, RV
hookups, cabins, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, a marina, a snack bar, and a variety of other
recreational facilities (APGI Yadkin Division, 2005). High Rock Lake Marina and Campground
has 93 total RV sites. Of these 93 sites, 80 have full service hookups and 13 offer water and
electric. The site also has five tent sites and availability for group camping. The Campground
also offers eight rental cabins of several types and sizes. The marina consists of a dock with eight
slips and additional docking facilities for its numerous pontoon boats and fiberglass fishing
boats. Gas and propane are available at the marina. There is no swimming access at High Rock
Lake Marina and Campground. Other amenities provided by the Campground include a
swimming pool, a laundry, a basketball court, horseshoe pits, a playground, a pavilion, a
recreation field, a store, a game room, and a snack bar. Sanitation facilities include a large
bathhouse and two large dump stations. Pay phones are located next to the pool and the
bathhouse. The facilities are open throughout the year.
Tamarac Marina is located on the Second Creek arm of High Rock Reservoir in Rowan County.
Tamarac Marina has approximately 1,500 feet of shoreline and facilities include a boat launch,
boat docks, gas, a restaurant, a general/convenience store and other day-use facilities (APGI
Yadkin Division, 2005). The marina's waterfront facilities consist of a concrete boat launch
ramp, two floating wooden boat docks, and a large outdoor picnic area with a sheltered pavilion.
The convenience store carries snacks, sodas, beer, and fishing and outdoor supplies. Adjacent to
the store is a restaurant that carries grill-type fare with an outdoor patio overlooking the
reservoir. Within the store/restaurant are men's and women's restrooms.
High Rock Boat Dock Marina is a full service marina and boat dealer located on the Abbotts
Creek arm of High Rock Reservoir in Davidson County. The marina's facilities include boat
slips (approximately 30-boat capacity), gas pumps, a private boat ramp, boat rentals, a
convenience store, dry boat storage facilities, and a beach club. The marina also offers full
service mechanical repair for all types of boats. The marina's convenience store carries gas, oil,
ice, beverages, food items, and fishing supplies.
The High Rock Boat and Ski Club is a private restaurant and club located near the Crane Creek
Arm of High Rock Lake in Rowan County. The private club requires annual membership dues
of $20 and is open year-round for members. The waterfront facilities include a boat dock with
approximately 10 slips and a private boat ramp that is only available for members. The
restaurant serves dinner nightly and the club offers live music and DJs.
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2.1.2 Recreational Experience
High Rock Reservoir is generally a residential reservoir with more than 2,700 private piers. Of
the reservoir's approximately 360 miles of shoreline, nearly 57% remain undeveloped while 35%
has been fully developed (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
Table 8: Percent Development b Category at High Rock Reservoir
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 57%
Limited Development 8%
Developed 35%
Recreational use data for High Rock Reservoir for the period May 10, 2003 through May 9, 2004
shows the greatest number of recreation use from May through September. Use levels from May
to September 2003 range from approximately 164,000 to 244,000 recreation days (ERM, 2004).
The carrying capacity at High Rock Reservoir is estimated at approximately 1,012 to 1,301 total
boats.
On High Rock Reservoir, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below
shows each major recreation activity and the percentage of visitors participating in each activity
(ERM, 2004).
Table 9: Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at High Rock Reservoir
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 23%
Boat Fishing 51%
Bank/Pier Fishing 24%
Swimming 34%
Canoeing/Kayaking 0%
Picnicking 5%
Camping 5%
Other uses 23%
Based largely on the amount of shoreline development, the number of private piers, and the
amount of boating usage, High Rock Reservoir is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
2.1.3 Tourism
According to Judy Newman, Director of the Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau
(CVB), visitors to High Rock Lake are predominantly "day trippers" due to a lack of overnight,
lakefront accommodations. Visitors to the reservoir usually live within the region and
predominantly use the reservoir for boating and fishing. The county does not have specific
numbers on how many tourists the reservoir draws, but believes that spring and fall are the major
seasons for fishermen. Although Ms. Newman believes that the majority of visitors are local, the
county has participated in numerous regional and national fishing tournaments. Large events,
such as fishing tournaments, bring in the majority of out of town tourists to High Rock
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Reservoir. In addition to hosting fishing tournaments, the county distributes a "Lure Brochure"
which promotes fishing on High Rock Reservoir.
The Davidson County Tourism and Recreation Master Plan (Master Plan) is in the early stages
of development and is scheduled to be completed by June 2005. The purpose of the Master Plan
is "to serve as a guide to protect and enhance the natural, cultural, and historic resources of
Davidson County" and the Master Plan "balances the needs and concerns of the public as well as
the realities of Davidson County's current and projected economic condition" (PTCOG, 2004).
According to Paul Kron, Regional Planning Director for the Piedmont Triad Council of
Governments, public involvement has been very important to the planning process for the plan.
Ideas that have been raised to promote tourism and enhance recreation in Davidson County
include a park at High Rock Lake or the Yadkin River, lodging and restaurants on High Rock
Reservoir, and connecting Boones Cave Park (discussed in Section 4.3) to other recreation sites
in Davidson County.
According to Jo Ellen Edwards with the Tourism Development Partnership of Davidson County,
High Rock Reservoir has "limited public access" on the Davidson County side. Several national
bass fishing tournaments have been held on High Rock Reservoir and she believes if some of
these tournaments were conducted on the Davidson County side of the reservoir, they would
draw more tourists to Davidson County. The reservoir is used for boating, fishing, and water
skiing mainly by either residents around the reservoir or local visitors. Although the reservoir
has not been promoted as a tourist destination in the past, Davidson County will be promoting it
in the future.
Since only a small portion of Davie County is adjacent to the Yadkin Project, Davie County does
not promote tourism on High Rock Reservoir, but focuses on other attractions within the county.
2.2 Tuckertown Reservoir
Tuckertown Reservoir is managed and operated by APGI's Yadkin Division. The reservoir is
located downstream of High Rock Reservoir in Rowan, Davidson, Stanly, and Montgomery
counties, North Carolina. Tuckertown Reservoir has a surface area of about 2,560 acres and 75
shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 564.7 feet (Yadkin Inc., 1999).
Tuckertown Reservoir has limited storage capacity and is operated with a daily pondage and a
normal fluctuation of zero to three feet (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
2.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Tuckertown Reservoir has 11 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among
the 11 sites, there are seven boat launch ramps (APGI Yadkin Division, 2005).
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Table 10: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Tuckertown Reservoir
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers /N YIN
High Rock Dam APGI 0 0 N N
Tailrace (Rowan)
High Rock Dam
Tailrace APGI 0 0 N N
(Davidson)
Bringle Ferry APGI/NCWRC 1 0 N N
Cedar Creek APGI 0 0 N N
Flat Creek Boat APGI/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Flat Creek Fishing APGI/NCWRC 0 0 N N
Newsome Road APGI 2 0 N N
Riles Creek APGI 0 0 N N
Highway 49 APGI 2 0 N N
Tuckertown Road APGI 0 0 N N
Pull-off Fishing
Tuckertown Dam
Canoe Portage APGI 0 0 0 0
Trail
Source: Recreation Facility Inventory and Assessment, APGI Yadkin Division, 2005.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation opportunities available at Tuckertown Reservoir.
2.2.2 Recreational Experience
Tuckertown Reservoir is generally an undeveloped reservoir. Of the reservoir's approximately
75 miles of shoreline, nearly 81% remain undeveloped while 3% has been fully developed
(APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
Table 11: Percent Development by Category at Tuckertown Reservoir
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 81%
Limited Development 16%
Developed 3%
Recreational use data from Tuckertown Reservoir for the period May 10, 2003 through May 9,
2004 shows the greatest amount of recreation use from April through August. Use levels from
April to August range from approximately 6,600 to 11,500 recreation days (ERM, 2004). The
carrying capacity at Tuckertown Reservoir is estimated at approximately 284 to 365 total boats.
On Tuckertown Reservoir, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below
shows each major recreation activity and the percentage of visitors participating in each activity
(ERM, 2004).
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Table 12: Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at Tuckertown Reservoir
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 9%
Boat Fishing 36%
Bank/Pier Fishing 59%
Swimming 8%
Canoeing/Kayaking 3%
Picnicking 12%
Camping 4%
Other uses 18%
Based largely on the amount of shoreline development and the types of usage, Tuckertown
Reservoir is classified as a "Limited Development" reservoir.
2.2.3 Tourism
According to Judy Newman, Director of the Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Tuckertown Reservoir does not draw many tourists to the area. She believes that Tuckertown
Reservoir is used for boating and fishing by local fisherman. The county does not actively
promote tourism on Tuckertown Reservoir, but focuses its efforts on High Rock Reservoir.
According to Jo Ellen Edwards with the Tourism Development Partnership of Davidson County,
Tuckertown Reservoir is not actively promoted by Davidson County. Davidson County focuses
its efforts on High Rock Reservoir.
Officials responsible for tourism with Montgomery and Stanly counties do not actively promote
tourism on Tuckertown Reservoir and believe it receives use almost exclusively from locals.
2.3 Narrows Reservoir
Narrows Reservoir (Badin Lake) is managed and operated by APGI's Yadkin Division. The
reservoir is located northeast of Albemarle in Stanly, Montgomery, and Davidson counties,
North Carolina. Narrows Reservoir has a surface area of about 5,355 acres and 115 shoreline
miles at a full pond elevation of 509.8 feet (Yadkin Inc., 1999).
Narrows Reservoir has storage capabilities and a maximum drawdown capacity of 30 feet.
However, Narrows is generally operated with fluctuation within a three-foot range that is only
exceeded in periods of very low inflow (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
2.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Narrows Reservoir has 10 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among the
10 sites, there are 10 boat launch ramps, one fishing pier, and one swimming beach (APGI
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Yadkin Division, 2005). The U.S. Forest Service's Uwharrie National Forest (UNF) is adjacent
to the reservoir's eastern shoreline. Recreation sites located within the UNF are discussed in
Section 4.1.1 and are not included in Table 13.
Table 13: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Narrows Reservoir
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers /N YIN
Tuckertown Dam APGI 0 0 N N
Tailrace
Garr Creek APGI 2 0 N N
Old Whitney Fishing APGI/NCWRC 0 1 N N
Old Whitney Boat APGI 1 0 N N
Circle Drive APGI/NCWRC 3 0 N N
Lakemont NCWRC 2 0 N N
Palmerville NA 1 0 N N
Badin Lake Swim APGI 0 0 Y N
and Picnic Area
Badin Lake Boat APGI 1 0 N N
Narrows Dam Canoe APGI 0 0 0 0
Portage Trail
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Source: Recreation Facility Inventory and Assessment, APGI Yadkin Division, 2005.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
Fish Tales Marina and Lake Forest Campground is located on the Reynolds Creek arm of
Narrows Reservoir in Montgomery County. Fish Tales Marina has approximately 325 feet of
shoreline and facilities include parking, a boat dock, a launch ramp, a restaurant, a trailer
campground, and other amenities. The marina has a paved boat launch ramp and a 10-slip
floating wooden boat dock with a sheltered gas pump and an additional pump located in the
paved parking area. The restaurant, Fish Tales Marina Grille, offers breakfast and lunch and
also houses a game room and restrooms. The restaurant is open on weekends only in April
through May and mid-August through September and open Thursdays through Mondays from
June through mid-August. The campground is adjacent to the marina and consists of
approximately 52-55 trailers (many include constructed wooden additions). Trailer sites are
leased at annual rates and are therefore semi-permanent.
2.3.2 Recreational Experience
Narrows Reservoir is generally a residential reservoir with more than 1,000 private piers. Of the
reservoir's approximately 115 miles of shoreline, nearly 48% remain undeveloped while 44%
has been fully developed (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
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Table 14: Percent Development b Category at Narrows Reservoir
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 48%
Limited Development 8%
Developed 44%
Recreation use data from Narrows Reservoir for the period May 10, 2003 through May 9, 2004
shows the greatest number of recreation use from June through September. Use levels from June
to September range from approximately 42,300 to 74,000 recreation days (ERM, 2004). The
carrying capacity at Narrows Reservoir is estimated at approximately 595 to 765 total boats.
On Narrows Reservoir, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below
shows each major recreation activity and the percentage of visitors participating in each activity
(ERM, 2004).
Table 15: Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at Narrows Reservoir
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 9%
Boat Fishing 36%
Bank/Pier Fishing 59%
Swimming 8%
Canoeing/Kayaking 3%
Picnicking 12%
Camping 4%
Other uses 18%
Based largely in part on the amount of shoreline development, the number of private piers, and
the amount of boating usage, Narrows Reservoir is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
2.3.3 Tourism
The Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau is responsible for promoting recreational
activities on Narrows Reservoir. Melissa Blaylock, the Executive Director of the CVB, stated
that Stanly County promotes tourism on Narrows Reservoir through both large-scale events and
in a way that appeals to eco-tourists and focuses on the area's rural aspects. Working in
conjunction with the Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project, Stanly County aims to promote the natural
history and environment of the area to draw tourists from the larger metropolitan areas of central
North Carolina. Stanly County also has hosted several large fishing tournaments that draw large
numbers of tourists to the county. The Stanly County CVB promotes the reservoir through a
lake guide, a website, and informational brochures mailed out in response to inquiries.
The tourism in Montgomery County focuses on promoting the Uwharrie National Forest and the
reservoirs in the region (predominantly Narrows and Tillery). According to Judy Stevens, the
Executive Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Narrows
Reservoir is a very important resource for bringing tourists to the region. She believes that the
county's relationship with the UNF and the access to the reservoir that the UNF provides is
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integral to maintaining Montgomery County as a tourist destination. Boating, fishing, and
camping are the predominant activities for which tourists use the reservoir. In Ms. Stevens'
experience, the summer and fall seasons and large events held in the UNF bring in the greatest
number of visitors to the county. Montgomery promotes tourism mostly through mail-out
brochures and through its website.
2.4 Falls Reservoir
Falls Reservoir is managed and operated by APGI's Yadkin Division. The reservoir is located
northeast of Albemarle in Stanly and Montgomery counties, North Carolina. Falls Reservoir has
a surface area of about 204 acres and six shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 332.8 feet
(Yadkin Inc., 1999).
Falls Reservoir has very limited storage capacity and is operated with a daily pondage and a
normal fluctuation of zero to three feet (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
2.4.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Falls Reservoir has two public recreation site that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
two access sites, there is one boat launch ramp (APGI Yadkin Division, 2005). The U. S. Forest
Service's Uwharrie National Forest is adjacent to the reservoir's eastern shoreline. Recreation
sites located within the UNF are discussed in Section 4. 1.1 and are not included in Table 16.
Table 16: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Falls Reservoir
Owner/ Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Falls Boat Access APGI 1 0 N N
Falls Dam Canoe APGI 0 0 0 0
Portage Trail
Source: Recreation Facility Inventory and Assessment, APGI Yadkin Division, 2005.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation opportunities available at Falls Reservoir.
2.4.2 Recreational Experience
Adjacent to the Uwharrie National Forest, Falls Reservoir is essentially free of development. Of
the reservoir's approximately six miles of shoreline, nearly 94% remains undeveloped while 2%
has been developed (APGI Yadkin Division, 2002).
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Table 17: Percent Development b Category at Falls Reservoir
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 94%
Limited Development 4%
Developed 2%
Recreation use data from Falls Reservoir for the period May 10, 2003 through May 9, 2004
shows the greatest number of recreation use from May through August 2003. Use levels from
May to August range from approximately 530 to 670 recreation days (ERM, 2004). The
carrying capacity at Falls Reservoir is estimated at approximately 23 to 29 total boats.
On Falls Reservoir, the predominant activities are camping, boating, and fishing (ERM, 2004).
The table below shows each major recreation activity and the percentage of visitors participating
in each activity.
Table 18: Percentage of Visitors Participating in Major Activities at Falls Reservoir
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 12%
Boat Fishing 41%
Bank/Pier Fishing 47%
Swimming 29%
Canoeing/Kayaking 18%
Picnicking 29%
Camping 47%
Other uses 79%
Based largely on the setting (adjacent to the Uwharrie National Forest) and the amount of
shoreline development, Falls Reservoir is classified as a "Natural" reservoir.
2.4.3 Tourism
Officials responsible for tourism within Montgomery and Stanly counties do not actively
promote tourism on Falls Reservoir and believe it receives use almost exclusively from locals.
3.0 Other Regional Reservoir Recreation Resources
3.1 Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project
Progress Energy's Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project (FERC No. 2206) consists of the Tillery Dam
and Reservoir and the Blewett Falls Dam and Reservoir. The project is located downstream of
APGI's Yadkin Project on the Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers in central North Carolina.
Available information for determining reservoir experience at Progress Energy's Yadkin-Pee
Dee River Project includes amount of shoreline development, visitation data, and carrying
capacity. Data for Blewett Falls Lake was unavailable. This information was obtained from the
Lake Tillery Shoreline Management Plan (Progress Energy, 2001) and the Yadkin-Pee Dee
River Project relicensing Initial Consultation Document (Progress Energy, 2003).
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3.1.1 Lake Tillery
Lake Tillery is a Progress Energy-owned and operated reservoir within the Yadkin-Pee Dee
River Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located southeast of Albemarle in Stanly and
Montgomery counties, North Carolina. Lake Tillery has a surface area of about 5,700 acres and
118 shoreline miles at the normal maximum operating level of 277.3 feet.
Progress Energy operates Lake Tillery within a range of four feet during normal conditions
(Progress Energy, 2003). Much of the time, Tillery is operated within a range of two feet, except
during times of maintenance. Maintenance periods require drawdowns of approximately 12 feet
and the Project's FERC license allows drawdowns of up to 22 feet below full pond. From April
15 to May 15, Tillery is operated within one-foot of full pond for fish spawning.
3.1.1.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake Tillery has five public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
five sites, there are eight boat launch ramps and two fishing piers (Progress Energy, 2003).
Table 19: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Tillery
Owner/ Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name
Operator Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Rams Piers /N YIN
Swift Island Progress/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Lilly's Bride Pro ress/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Lilly's Bridge Progress/NCWRC 0 2 N N
Fishing
Stony Mountain Progress/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Norwood Pro ress/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Source: Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project Initial Consultation Document, Progress Energy, 2003.
Morrow Mountain State Park
Morrow Mountain State Park is a 4,742-acre state park located west of Albemarle in Stanly
County, North Carolina. Operated by the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (NCDENR) Division of Parks and Recreation, the park provides opportunities
for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and picnicking (NCDENR,
Division of Parks and Recreation website). Adjacent to the Pee Dee River and Lake Tillery, the
park has a boat ramp available for launching private boats. The park also offers rowboat and
canoe rentals throughout the summer. Fishing is permitted throughout the park with a valid state
license and the park has an accessible fishing pier on Lake Tillery.
Morrow Mountain has approximately 36 miles of trails throughout the park. The park has 11
trails specifically designated for hiking that cover nearly 20 miles, while a long bridle trail of 16
miles is available for both horseback riding and hiking.
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Table 20: Trail Summary for Morrow Mountain State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Backpack Easy 2.0
Bridle Moderate 16.0
Cam round/Pool Easy 0.8
Fall Mountain Moderate 4.1
Hathaway Mountain Strenuous 2.0
Laurel Easy 0.6
Morrow Mountain Moderate 3.0
Mountain Loo Easy 0.8
Quarry Easy 0.6
Rocks Easy 2.6
Sugarloaf Mountain Strenuous 2.8
Three Rivers Easy 0.6
The park offers opportunities for family camping, group camping, primitive camping, and
vacation cabins. The family campground has 106 campsites for tents and trailers. There is group
camping area located near the river with six sites that includes picnic tables, a grill, and a fire
circle. A primitive campground is available by permit only. Six fully-equipped vacation cabins
accommodate up to six people each.
The park has two picnic areas available for day use: one on Morrow Mountain and one near the
swimming pool. The Morrow Mountain picnic area has a small four-table shelter and the
swimming pool picnic area has a six-table shelter. Each picnic area has picnic tables and grills
available.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are four marinas located on Lake Tillery: Ken's Marina, Family Boat Center, Cook's
Marina, and Dock-N-Shop. Among the four marinas, there are boat rentals, repairs, and storage.
Each marina also has fueling facilities.
3.1.1.2 Recreational Experience
Lake Tillery is generally a residential reservoir with significant development. Of the reservoir's
approximately 118 miles of shoreline, nearly 57% has been developed while 38% remains
undeveloped (Progress Energy, 2001).
Table 21: Percent Development b Category at Lake Tiller
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 38%
Limited Development 5%
Developed 57%
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Recreation use data from Lake Tillery estimates a total annual total recreation use of
approximately 620,000 recreations days with a peak weekend average of approximately 18,000
recreation days. The carrying capacity at Lake Tillery is estimated at approximately 503 total
boats.
Based largely on the residential nature of the reservoir and amount of shoreline development,
Lake Tillery is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
3.1.1.3 Tourism
The Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is responsible for promoting
recreational activities on Lake Tillery. Melissa Blaylock, the Executive Director of the CVB,
stated that Stanly County promotes tourism on Lake Tillery through both large-scale events and
in a way that appeals to eco-tourists and focuses on the area's rural aspects. Working in
conjunction with the Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project, Stanly County aims to promote the natural
history and environment of the area to draw tourists from the larger metropolitan areas of central
North Carolina. Stanly County also has hosted several large fishing tournaments on Lake Tillery
that draw large numbers of tourists to the county. The CVB promotes the reservoir through a
lake guide, a website, and informational brochures mailed out in response to inquiries.
Montgomery County actively promotes tourism to Lake Tillery. According to Judy Stevens, the
Executive Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Lake
Tillery is a very important resource for bringing tourists to the region. Boating, fishing, and
camping are the predominant activities for which tourists use the reservoir. In Ms. Stevens'
experience, the summer and fall seasons and large events held in the Uwharrie National Forest
bring in the greatest number of visitors to the county. Montgomery promotes tourism mostly
through mail-out brochures and through their website.
3.1.2 Blewett Falls Lake
Blewett Falls Lake is a Progress Energy-owned and operated reservoir within the Yadkin-Pee
Dee River Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northwest of Rockingham in
Richmond and Anson counties, North Carolina. Blewett Falls Lake has a surface area of about
2,900 acres and 46.9 shoreline miles at the normal maximum operating level of 177.2 feet.
Blewett Falls Lake is operated in coordination with Lake Tillery upstream. There are daily
drawdowns of two to three feet below the normal maximum operating level, and the reservoir is
refilled overnight (Progress Energy, 2003).
3.1.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Blewett Falls Lake has four public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among
these four sites, there are four boat launch ramps and one fishing pier (Progress Energy, 2003).
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Table 22: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Blewett Falls Lake
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers /N YIN
Mountain Creek Progress/NCWRC 1 0 N N
Pee Dee Pro ress/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Grass Island Progress 1 0 N N
Blewett Falls Progress/NCWRC 0 1 N N
Source: Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project Initial Consultation Document, Progress Energy, 2003.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation opportunities available at Blewett Falls Lake.
3.1.2.2 Recreational Experience
According to the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project Initial Consultation Document (Progress Energy,
2003), the Blewett Falls Lake shoreline has "only a few homes or seasonal dwellings" and
remains "largely undeveloped." Based on this information and the limited number of public
access sites to the reservoir, Blewett Falls Lake is classified as a "Natural" reservoir.
3.1.2.3 Tourism
The Richmond County Chamber of Commerce's Tourism Department is responsible for
promoting tourism on Blewett Falls Lake. According to Bennett Dean, President of the Chamber
of Commerce, Blewett Falls Lake is predominantly a local-use reservoir because of limited
access to the reservoir. Day trippers from the region will visit the reservoir for boating and
fishing, and occasionally visitors will come to the reservoir for primitive camping. The county
does promote tourism by supporting local events held on the reservoir, but Mr. Dean thought that
there have been no significant increases in the number of tourists to the reservoir in recent years.
He also stated that the majority of visitors come to the area during the spring through the fall.
3.2 Harris Lake
Harris Lake (Shearon Harris Reservoir) is owned and operated by Progress Energy as a cooling
reservoir for the Harris Nuclear Plant. The reservoir is located southwest of Raleigh in Wake
and Chatham counties, North Carolina. Harris Lake has a surface area of about 4,150 acres and
40 shoreline miles at a normal elevation of 220 feet (Wake County, Department of Parks,
Recreation, and Open Space website).
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3.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Harris Lake has two public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
two sites, there are two boat launch ramps (Wake County, Department of Parks, Recreation, and
Open Space website).
Table 23: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Harris Lake
Owner/ Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers /N YIN
Dam Site Progress/NCWRC 1 0 N N
Holleman's Progress/NCWRC 1 0 N N
Crossing
Harris Lake County Park
Harris Lake County Park is a 680-acre state park located southwest of Raleigh in Wake County,
North Carolina (Wake County, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space website).
Operated by the Wake County Department of Parks, Recreation and Open Space, the park
provides opportunities for non-motorized boating, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking,
and picnicking. The park has a launch site available for launching canoes and kayaks. Fishing is
permitted throughout the park on the shoreline of Harris Lake and along the park's man-made
pond with a valid North Carolina fishing license. Also available is a fishing pier along the
shoreline of Harris Lake.
Harris Lake County Park has two trails available within the park. One trail is specifically
designated for hiking and the other is a mountain biking trail.
Table 24: Trail Summary for Harris Lake County Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Hog Run Mountain Bike Trail Easy to Moderate 7
Peninsula Hiking Trail Moderate to Difficult 7.5
The park offers opportunities for primitive group camping. There is one group camp with
limited facilities available for a group of up to 50 people.
The park has one picnic area available for day use and three picnic shelters available for groups.
Two of the picnic shelters have a capacity of 50 people and one has a 100-person capacity. The
park also has a playground area and a disc golf course.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation opportunities available at Harris Lake.
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3.2.2 Recreational Experience
Tim Bevacqua with Progress Energy stated that development of the Harris Lake shoreline is not
currently allowed and that there are no private homes with reservoir access adjacent to the
shoreline. Progress Energy maintains a natural buffer around the entire shoreline and Mr.
Bevacqua estimates that 90-95% of the shoreline is undeveloped. Based on this information and
the limited number of public access sites to the reservoir, Harris Lake is classified as a "Natural"
reservoir.
3.2.3 Tourism
According to Coley Houser, Park Technician with Harris Lake County Park, Wake County
actively promotes the county-wide park system, including Harris Lake County Park. He believes
that most visitors to the reservoir and park are from Wake County or other surrounding counties.
Boating, fishing, and fishing tournaments are popular activities on Harris Lake. The reservoir
receives heavy use during the summer even though swimming is not allowed on the reservoir.
Martin Armes, the Director of Communications and Marketing with the Greater Raleigh
Convention and Visitors Bureau, does not believe Harris Lake is a major attraction for visitors to
the Raleigh area. The Greater Raleigh CVB provides limited promotion of Harris Lake through
publications and its website. The website, more specifically, promotes Harris County Lake Park
(discussed in Section 3.2.1).
According to Neha Shah, Director of Tourism at the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and Visitors
Bureau in Chatham County, Chatham County does not promote tourism at Harris Reservoir.
3.3 Hyco Lake
Hyco Lake is owned and operated Progress Energy as a cooling reservoir for their Roxboro
Steam Plant (Progress Energy, Power Plants website). The Person-Caswell Lake Authority is
responsible for governing the shoreline and recreation around the reservoir. The reservoir is
located northwest of Roxboro in Person and Caswell counties, North Carolina. Hyco Lake has a
surface area of about 3,750 acres and 160 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 420 feet
(Person-Caswell Lake Authority, Visit Carolina Power Lake brochure).
The reservoir is operated with an after bay system that allows water levels to be maintained at a
consistent level. The reservoir is maintained at the 420 feet full pond elevation and fluctuates
little depending on climatic conditions (Barker, Person-Caswell Lake Authority, 2004).
3.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
The Person-Caswell Lake Authority manages and operates one large park for public access to the
reservoir.
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Hyco Lake Park
Hyco Lake Park is a 65-acre state park located northwest of Roxboro in Person County, North
Carolina. Operated by the Person-Caswell Lake Authority, the park provides opportunities for
boating, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and picnicking (Person-Caswell Lake Authority,
Hyco Lake brochure).
The park has four concrete boat launch ramps for motorized and non-motorized boats. The park
also has on-site facilities for boat storage. Fishing is allowed along the park's shoreline and on
the reservoir via boat with a valid North Carolina fishing license. Fishing piers are also available
within the park.
The park offers opportunities for family camping, primitive camping, and cabin rental. There are
66 tent/trailer campsites in the campground. Each campsite has a picnic table, a grill, water, and
electricity. There are also 10 primitive campsites without facilities. The park also has four
family cabins available for rent.
Picnic tables and grills are scattered throughout the park. There are three large picnic shelters
available for groups. The park also has a designated area for swimming. In addition to water-
based recreation facilities, the park has a playground, concessions, an observation deck, and
tennis courts.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
Adjacent to Hyco Lake Park is Hyco Lake Boats `N' Boards. Boats `N' Boards is a full-service
commercial marina, offering three gas pumps and a multi-slip loading dock. The marina has
retail ski and pontoon boats for sale as well as a full-service repair shop.
3.3.2 Recreational Experience
According to William Barker, a commissioner with the Person-Caswell Lake Authority, there are
approximately 1,000 homes along the 160-mile shoreline of Hyco Lake. He estimates that 65%
of these homes are permanent while the rest are vacation homes for summer and weekend use.
He also stated that Progress Energy maintains a shoreline tract of land as undeveloped. By his
estimation, the majority of visitors come to Hyco Lake during the summer months. However,
Hyco maintains steady use during the winter due to its warm water. Based on this interview,
Hyco Lake is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
3.3.3 Tourism
According to William Barker with the Person-Caswell Lake Authority, the majority of visitors to
Hyco Lake are from out of town, especially from the Raleigh/Durham area. Although the
volume of tourists is greatest during the summer months and during weekends, Hyco Lake brings
in tourists year-round due to warm water temperatures. Specifically, the reservoir often hosts
fishing tournaments, drawing large amounts of tourists to the area. The Person-Caswell Lake
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Authority is solely responsible for promoting tourism and does so by providing free maps and
brochures and through its website
3.4 Catawba-Wateree Project
The Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2232) is located on the Catawba River,
which begins in western North Carolina and flows south into South Carolina, where it joins Big
Wateree Creek to form the Wateree River. Owned and operated by Duke Power, the Catawba-
Wateree Project is comprised of 13 hydropower plants and 11 developments, including the
James, Rhodhiss, Hickory, Lookout Shoals, Norman, Mountain Island, Wylie, Fishing Creek,
Great Falls, Rocky Creek, and Wateree reservoirs. The Catawba-Wateree Project spans over 200
river miles and encompasses approximately 1,700 miles of shoreline (Duke Power, 2001).
Likewise, the Catawba-Wateree Project system drains an area of 4,750 square miles and contains
more than 78,896 total acres of reservoir surface area.
Available information for determining reservoir experience at Duke Power's Catawba-Wateree
Project includes amount of shoreline development, number of private piers, visitation data,
carrying capacity, and recreation use data. This information was obtained from the Catawba-
Wateree Shoreline Management Plan (Duke Power, 2001).
3.4.1 Lake James
Lake James is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northwest of Morganton in Burke and McDowell
counties, North Carolina. Lake James has a surface area of about 6,500 acres and 151.1
shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 1,200 feet (Duke Power, 2001).
Under normal operating conditions, Lake James maintains a level of two feet below full pond
elevation from May 31 to September 1 of each year (Duke Power, 2003). Water levels are then
dropped two feet during September as part of a Stage 1 drawdown. From September 31 to
December 31 the normal elevation stays at the Stage 1 drawdown level of 1,196 feet. From
January 1 to March 1 Stage 2 drawdown drops the reservoir levels and additional four feet (to
1192.1 feet). On March 1, refilling begins as the reservoir level increases to reach normal
maximum elevation by May 31. The actual operating range can vary from two feet above to two
feet below the normal operating range at any given time.
3.4.1.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake James has five public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
five sites, there are 13 boat launch ramps and one fishing pier (Duke Power, 2001).
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Table 25: Public Recreation Sites and O ortunities at Lake James
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Black Bear Duke 6 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Hidden Cove Duke Power/NC 2 0 N N
State Parks
Canal Bridge Duke Power/NC 3 0 N N
State Parks
Linville Duke 2 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Bridgewater Duke 0 1 N N
Fishing Area Power/NCWRC
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Lake James State Park
Lake James State Park is a 565-acre state park located northwest of Morganton in McDowell
County, North Carolina. Operated by the NCDENR Division of Parks and Recreation, the park
provides opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and picnicking
(NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Combined, Hidden Cove and Canal
Bridge have five boat ramps providing direct access to Lake James. Fishing is permitted along
the park's shoreline and via the park's fishing pier with a valid North Carolina fishing license.
Lake James State Park has approximately 4.5 miles of trails within the park.
Table 26: Trail Summary for Lake James State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail Moderate 0.5
Lake Channel Overlook Trail Moderate 1.5
Fishing Pier Trail Easy 0.3
Fox Den Loo Trail Moderate 2.2
The park also offers opportunities for backpack camping. The campground has 20 backpack
campsites each with tent space, a picnic table, and a fire pit.
The park offers one picnic area for day use.
and a large 12-table picnic shelter for groups
designated swimming beach.
The picnic area has 20 picnic tables, outdoor grills,
Swimming is permitted at the park's one
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are four commercial public marinas located on Lake James.
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3.4.1.2 Recreational Experience
Lake James is generally a semi-residential reservoir with 285 private piers (Duke Power, 2001).
Of the reservoir's approximately 137 miles of shoreline, nearly 83% remain undeveloped while
16% has been developed. The Pisgah National Forest is adjacent to the northern edge of the
reservoir although there are no specifically designated sites from which the reservoir can be
accessed.
Table 27: Percent Development by Category at Lake James
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 83%
Limited Development 1%
Developed 16%
Visitation at Lake James shows the greatest number of visitors during May through September.
Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from May to September ranges from 24,000 to 33,000
visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Lake James is estimated at approximately 912 total
boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Lake James is at
approximately 19%, 24%, and 42% of its capacity.
On Lake James, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below shows each
major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 28: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake James
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 12%
Boat Fishing 26%
Bank/Pier Fishing 24%
Swimming 11%
Canoeing/Kayaking 2%
Picnicking 4%
Camping 2%
Other uses 19%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based largely on the amount of shoreline development, Lake James is classified as a "Limited
Development" reservoir.
3.4.1.3 Tourism
According to Carol Price, Director of McDowell County Tourism Department, Lake James is
predominantly a residential use reservoir. McDowell County promotes the reservoir as a tourist
destination through its website, but the majority of its use comes from owners of first and
second-homes adjacent to the reservoir. Ms. Price asserted that boating and fishing are the most
popular activities on the reservoir, but that swimming, canoeing, and jet skiing are also popular
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activities. The reservoir receives the most use April through October and recreation use
decreases during the winter months. McDowell County Tourism Department has recently added
information on Lake James to its website and hopes that this information will help attract more
tourists.
3.4.2 Lake Rhodhiss
Lake Rhodhiss is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northeast of Morganton in Burke and Caldwell
counties, North Carolina. Lake Rhodhiss has a surface area of about 3,000 acres and 103.9
shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 995.1 feet (Duke Power, 2001).
Under normal operating conditions, Lake Rhodhiss maintains an elevation within two feet of a
992.1 feet elevation (Duke Power, 2003). Full pond elevation is 995.1 feet.
3.4.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake Rhodhiss has five public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
five sites, there are 11 boat launch ramps (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 29: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Rhodhiss
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Johns River Duke 1 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Huffman Bridge Duke 0 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Castle Bridge Duke N N
Power/NCWRC 6 0
Conley Creek Duke 2 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Rhodhiss Duke N N
Power/NCWRC 2 0
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
The only commercial marina on Lake Rhodhiss is the Castle Bridge Marina. This is a full-
service marina with gas pumps, a boat launching ramp, fishing access, and a grocery store.
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3.4.2.2 Recreational Experience
Lake Rhodhiss is generally an undeveloped, non-residential reservoir. Of the reservoir's
approximately 104 miles of shoreline, nearly 97% remain undeveloped (Duke Power, 2001).
Likewise, there are only five private piers on the reservoir.
Table 30: Percent Development by Category at Lake Rhodhiss
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 96.5%
Limited Development 0%
Developed 3.5%
Visitation at Lake Rhodhiss shows the greatest number of visitors during April through August.
Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from April to August ranges from 23,000 to 32,000
visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Lake Rhodhiss is estimated at approximately 455
total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Lake Rhodhiss
rarely exceeds 20% of its capacity.
On Lake Rhodhiss, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below shows
each major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 31: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Rhodhiss
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 4%
Boat Fishing 55%
Bank/Pier Fishing 38%
Swimming 1%
Canoeing/Kayaking 1%
Picnicking 1%
Camping 0%
Other uses >1%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based largely on the scarce shoreline development, and the low percentages of total carrying
capacity the reservoir receives, Lake Rhodhiss is classified as a "Natural" reservoir.
3.4.2.3 Tourism
According to Cathy Rhuberg, Program/Communications Director with the Caldwell County
Chamber of Commerce, Lake Rhodhiss is not promoted as a tourist destination. Caldwell
County promotes recreation based on the surrounding mountains rather than promoting the local
reservoirs. Also, Caldwell County does not believe that Lake Rhodhiss has the infrastructure to
support tourism.
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3.4.3 Lake Hickory
Lake Hickory is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northeast of Hickory in Caldwell, Burke,
Catawba and Alexander counties, North Carolina. Lake Hickory has a surface area of about
3,900 acres and 110.6 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 935 feet (Duke Power, 2001).
The normal annual operating elevation for Lake Hickory is between one and three and one-half
feet below full pond elevation at any given time during normal operations (Duke Power, 2003).
3.4.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake Hickory has nine public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
nine sites, there are 17 boat launch ramps and four fishing piers (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 32: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Hickory
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Owner/ Operator Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Rams Piers /N YIN
Gunpowder Duke Power/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Lovelady Duke Power/NCWRC 2 0 N N
Wittenburg Duke Power/NCWRC 6 3 N N
Dusty Ridge Duke Power, Dusty N N
Ridge Rec. Parks, Inc./ 2 0
NCWRC
Oxford Duke Power 4 0 N N
Lon Shoals Duke Power NA NA N N
Glen C. Hilton City of Hickory 0 0 N N
Park
John Geitner Park City of Hickory 1 0 N N
River Bend Park Duke Power/ Catawba 0 1 N N
Count
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are seven commercial marinas on Lake Hickory. R&N, Lakeside, Rink Dam, and
Taylorsville marinas offer gas pumps, a boat launch ramp, and a grocery store 3. 321 Marina has
fishing access in addition to gas pumps, a boat launching ramp, and a grocery store.
3 No information on the other marinas were located. The Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan
refers to seven but only discusses the five discussed herein (Duke Power, 2001).
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3.4.3.2 Recreational Experience
Lake Hickory is generally a well-developed, residential reservoir. Of the reservoir's
approximately 110 miles of shoreline, 54.1% is developed, while 45.1% remains undeveloped.
As a residential reservoir, there are approximately 2,200 private piers along the reservoir's
shoreline (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 33: Percent Development by Category at Lake Hickory
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 45.1%
Limited Development 0.6%
Developed 54.1%
Visitation at Hickory shows the greatest number of visitors April through August. Based on
traffic data, monthly visitation from April to August ranges from 24,000 to 32,000 visitors per
month. The carrying capacity at Lake Hickory is estimated at approximately 442 total boats. It
is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Lake Hickory approaches 38%,
55%, and 71% of its capacity.
On Lake Hickory, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below shows
each major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 34: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Hickory
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 9%
Boat Fishing 21%
Bank/Pier Fishing 46%
Swimming 5%
Canoeing/Kayaking 2%
Picnicking 2%
Other uses 15%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based largely on the amount of development around the reservoir, the residential nature of the
development, and the high percentages of carrying capacity the reservoir receives, Lake Hickory
is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
3.4.3.3 Tourism
According to Cathy Rhuberg, Program/Communications Director with the Caldwell County
Chamber of Commerce, Lake Hickory is not promoted as a tourist destination by Caldwell
County. Ms. Rhuberg asserted that tourism of Lake Hickory is promoted by the Hickory Metro
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, according to Leda Isenhour, does not
specifically promote tourism to Lake Hickory since the reservoir is not a major attraction in the
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area. The reservoir is used mainly by local residents for boating and fishing from spring through
fall.
3.4.4 Lookout Shoals Lake
Lookout Shoals Lake is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-
Wateree Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located west of Statesville in Alexander,
Catawba, and Iredell counties, North Carolina. Lookout Shoals Lake has a surface area of about
1,200 acres and 36.3 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 838.1 feet (Duke Power, 2001).
The normal annual operating elevation for Lookout Shoals Lake is between one and two and
one-half feet below full pond elevation at any given time during normal operations (Duke Power,
2003).
3.4.4.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lookout Shoals Lake has two public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among
these two sites, there are three boat launch ramps (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 35: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lookout Shoals Lake
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Lookout Shoals Duke 2 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Sharon Duke 1 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation opportunities available at Lookout Shoals Lake.
3.4.4.2 Recreational Experience
Lookout Shoals Lake is generally a semi-residential reservoir with 250 private piers. Of the
reservoir's approximately 36 miles of shoreline, nearly 71% remain undeveloped while 29% has
been developed (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 36: Percent Development by Category at Lookout Shoals Lake
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 71%
Limited Development 0%
Developed 29%
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Visitation at Lookout Shoals Lake shows the greatest number of visitors during May through
August. Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from May to August ranges from 5,500 to
7,500 visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Lookout Shoals Lake is estimated at
approximately 152 total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays,
Lookout Shoals Lake is at approximately 21%, 16%, and 44% of its capacity.
On Lookout Shoals Lake, the predominant activity is fishing. The table below shows each major
recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 37: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lookout Shoals Lake
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 0%
Boat Fishing 11%
Bank/Pier Fishing 81%
Swimming 3%
Canoeing/Kayaking 0%
Picnicking 0%
Camping 0%
Other uses 5%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development, the amount of private piers as compared to the
amount of shoreline, and the low percentages of total motor boating usages, Lookout Shoals
Lake is classified as a "Limited Development" reservoir.
3.4.4.3 Tourism
Wendy Shuping, Executive Director of the Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated
that Lookout Shoals Lake is not promoted by Iredell County as a tourist destination. The
reservoir is predominantly used for boating and fishing by locals and shoreline residents.
3.4.5 Lake Norman
Lake Norman is the largest Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-
Wateree Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northwest of Charlotte in Mecklenberg,
Iredell, Catawba, and Lincoln counties, North Carolina. Lake Norman has a surface area of
about 32,000 acres and 591.6 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 760 feet (Duke Power,
2001).
Under normal operating conditions, Lake Norman maintains a level of two feet below full pond
elevation from May 31 to September 5 of each year (Duke Power, 2003). Water levels are then
dropped one foot from September 5 to December 1 as part of a Stage 1 drawdown. From
December 1 to February 28, Stage 2 drawdown drops the reservoir levels an additional five feet
(to 752 feet). On February 28, refilling begins as the reservoir level increases to reach normal
maximum elevation by May 31.
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3.4.5.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake Norman has 15 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these 15
sites, there are 30 boat launch ramps, two fishing piers, and two swimming areas (Duke Power,
2001).
Table 38: Public Recreation Sites and O ortunities at Lake Norman
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Owner/ Operator Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Rams Piers /N YIN
Long Island Duke Power/ 2 0 N N
NCWRC
Pinnacle Duke 5 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
McCrary Creek Duke 2 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Marshall Fish Duke 0 0 N N
Area Power/NCWRC
Hager Creek Duke 4 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Little Creek Duke 1 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Beatties Ford Duke 4 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
McGuire Fish Duke 0 1 N N
Area Power/NCWRC
Buffalo Shoals* Duke Power NA NA NA NA
Island Point* Duke Power NA NA NA NA
Slanting Brid e* Duke Power NA NA NA NA
Jetton Park Mecklenburg

County 0 0 Y N
Blythe Landing Mecklenburg 6 0 N N
County
Ramsey Creek Duke/Mecklenburg

Park
County 4 1 Y N
Stumpy Creek Duke/Iredell 2 0 N N
Access County
* Denotes proposed recreation area.
NA - denotes information that was not available.
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Lake Norman State Park
Lake Norman State Park is a 1,328-acre state park located northwest of Charlotte in Iredell
County, North Carolina. Operated by the NCDENR Division of Parks and Recreation, the park
provides opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and
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picnicking (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Thirteen miles of Lake
Norman's shoreline are located in the park and the park has a boat ramp available for launching
private boats. The park also has a 33-acre lake and offers paddle boat and canoe rentals
throughout the summer. Fishing is permitted throughout the park with a valid North Carolina
fishing license.
Lake Norman State Park has approximately 12 miles of trails within the park. The park's main
trail, the Lake Shore Trail runs along the shoreline of Lake Norman for approximately 5 miles.
The Itusi Trail is specifically designated as a mountain biking trail.
Table 39: Trail Summary for Lake Norman State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Alder Trail Easy 0.8
Lake Shore Trail Moderate 6.7
Itusi Trail NA 4.2
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
The park offers opportunities for family camping and group camping. The family campground
has 33 campsites for tents and trailers. There is a group camping area with space available for up
to 25 people at each site.
The park has two picnic areas available. Each picnic area has a shelter area and picnic table and
grills are available. One picnic area is located near the park entrance and the other is located
near a designated lakefront swimming area.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are 15 commercial public marinas located on Lake Norman. These marinas offer services
such as boat launching ramps, gas pumps, grocery stores, fishing access, and picnic areas.
3.4.5.2 Recreational Experience
Lake Norman is generally a highly residential reservoir with 8,100 private piers. Of the
reservoir's approximately 592 miles of shoreline, nearly 36% have been developed while 62%
remains undeveloped (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 40: Percent Development by Category at Lake Norman
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 62%
Limited Development 0.4%
Developed 36%
Visitation at Lake Norman shows the greatest number of visitors during April through August.
Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from April to August ranges from 39,000 to 45,000
visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Lake Norman is estimated at approximately 4,700
total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Lake Norman is at
approximately 14%, 21%, and 25% of its capacity.
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On Lake Norman, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below shows
each major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 41: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Norman
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 22%
Boat Fishing 17%
Bank/Pier Fishing 13%
Swimming 12%
Canoeing/Kayaking 3%
Picnicking 4%
Camping 1%
Other uses 28%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development, the amount of private piers, and the high
percentages of motor boating usage, Lake Norman is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
3.4.5.3 Tourism
Lake Norman is promoted as a tourist destination by a number of localities. The Mooresville
Convention and Visitors Bureau actively promotes tourism through its website, print
advertisements, mail-out brochures, and videos. Wendy Shuping, Executive Director of the
Mooresville CVB believes that boating, yachting, and fishing some of the most popular activities
on the reservoir. She also believes that Lake Norman State Park draws large numbers of tourists
for camping, hiking, and reservoir-based recreation. Lake Norman also receives heavy use by
locals as it is a residential reservoir with many year-round residents. As far as tourism, Ms.
Shuping stated that spring and summer draw the greatest number of visitors and the winter
receives little use solely by locals.
The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce in Mecklenburg County promotes tourism for the
county and the greater Lake Norman area. According to the Chamber's Executive Director,
Sally Asheworth, Lake Norman is a popular location for tourists, especially during special
events. Fishing tournaments, triathlons, retreats, NASCAR events, and a Fourth of July
celebration are some of the major events that bring tourists to Lake Norman. Ms. Asheworth
believes that boating and fishing are major activities on the reservoir with May and October
drawing the greatest number of tourists. The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce promotes
tourism through hotel and mail-out brochures, a website, and by targeting specific sporting
events in the area.
According to Jackie Jacoby, Call Center Supervisor with the Charlotte Convention and Visitors
Bureau, her office receives numerous calls inquiring about recreation on Lake Norman.
Charlotte does not actively promote Lake Norman, but will send a 70-page visitors guide in
response to inquiries and will direct potential visitors to the Lake Norman Chamber of
Commerce.
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3.4.6 Mountain Island Lake
Mountain Island Lake is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-
Wateree Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northwest of Charlotte in Lincoln,
Mecklenberg, and Gaston counties, North Carolina. Mountain Island Lake has a surface area of
about 2,900 acres and 86.5 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 647.5 feet (Duke Power,
2001).
The normal annual operating elevation for Mountain Island Lake is between two and four and
one-half feet below full pond elevation at any given time during normal operations (Duke Power,
2003).
3.4.6.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Mountain Island Lake has five public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access.
Among these five sites, there are six boat launch ramps, three fishing piers, and one swimming
area (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 42: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Mountain Island Lake
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Owner/ Operator Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Rams Piers YIN /N
Neck Road Duke Power/ NCWRC 2 0 N N
River Bend Duke Power/NCWRC 4 0 N N
Mountain Island Duke Power/NCWRC 0 2 N N
Tailrace
Latta. Plantation Mecklenburg County 0 1 Y N
Nature Preserve
Cowan's Ford Mecklenburg County 0 0 N N
Wildlife Refuge
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Mountain Island Educational State Forest
Currently under construction by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, the Mountain
Island Educational State Forest will offer opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and educational
programs (NCDENR, Division of Forest Resources website). The educational forest is located
on an easement adjacent to Mountain Island Lake in Lincoln and Gaston counties, North
Carolina.
The forest will offer a large picnic area with picnic tables and grills and a shelter will be
available for large groups through reservation only. The forest will also offer trails for hiking
and viewing interpretive exhibits. The forest will offer an amphitheater for educational programs
and an educational cabin for various exhibits.
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Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation opportunities available at Mountain Island Lake.
3.4.6.2 Recreational Experience
Mountain Island Lake is generally a semi-residential reservoir with 315 private piers. Of the
reservoir's approximately 87 miles of shoreline, nearly 74% remain undeveloped while 26% has
been developed (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 43: Percent Development b Category at Mountain Island Lake
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 74%
Limited Development 0%
Developed 26%
Visitation at Mountain Island Lake shows the greatest number of visitors during May through
August. Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from May to August ranges from 11,500 to
14,000 visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Mountain Island Lake is estimated at
approximately 428 total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays,
Mountain Island Lake is at approximately 20%, 36%, and 25% of its capacity.
On Mountain Island Lake, the predominant activity is fishing. The table below shows each
major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 44: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Mountain Island Lake
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 2%
Boat Fishing 18%
Bank/Pier Fishing 78%
Swimming 1%
Canoeing/Kayaking 1%
Picnicking 0%
Camping 0%
Other uses <1%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development, the amount of private piers as compared to the
amount of shoreline, and the low percentages of total motor boating usage, Mountain Island Lake
is classified as a "Limited Development" reservoir.
3.4.6.3 Tourism
According to Vicky Riddel, the Director of Tourism for Gaston County, Mountain Island Lake,
is not promoted as a tourist destination. The reservoir is predominantly used for boating and
fishing by locals and shoreline residents.
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3.4.7 Lake Wylie
Lake Wylie is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located southwest of Charlotte in Gaston and
Mecklenberg counties, North Carolina and York County, South Carolina. Lake Wylie has a
surface area of about 12,100 acres and 327.51 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 569.4
feet (Duke Power, 2001).
The normal annual operating elevation for Lake Wylie is between one and four feet below full
pond elevation at any given time during normal operations (Duke Power, 2003).
3.4.7.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake Wylie has 13 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these 13
sites, there are 25 boat launch ramps, four fishing piers, two swimming beaches, and a
campground (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 45: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Wylie
Number of Number Swim Camping
Site Name Owner/ Operator Boat Launch of Fishing Beach Available
Rams Piers YIN /N
Allen Fish Area Duke Power/ NA 0 N N
NCWRC
South Point Duke 6 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Copperhead Duke Power/ 4 2 N N
Mecklenburg Co.
Buster Boyd Duke Power/SCDNR 4 0 N N
Allison Creek Duke Power/SCDNR 4 1 N N
Indian Ground Duke Power/City of 0 1 N N
Rock Hill
Nivens Creek Duke Power/SCDNR 2 0 N N
Ebenezer Duke Power/SCDNR 3 0 Y N
Fort Mill Duke Power/SCDNR 1 0 N N
McDowell McDowell County 0 0 N Y
County Park
River Street Park City of Lake Wylie 0 0 N N
Wind Jammer City of Lake Wylie 0 0 Y N
Beach Park
Pitcarin Cove City of Lake Wylie 1 0 N N
Park
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
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Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are 11 commercial public marinas located on Lake Wylie. These marinas offer services
such as boat launch ramps, gas pumps, grocery stores, fishing access, and picnic areas.
3.4.7.2 Recreational Experience
Lake Wylie is generally a residential reservoir with 3,108 private piers. Of the reservoir's
approximately 327 miles of shoreline, nearly 50% has been developed while 48% remains
undeveloped (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 46: Percent Development by Category at Lake Wylie
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 48%
Limited Development 1%
Developed 50%
Visitation at Lake Wylie shows the greatest number of visitors during April through August.
Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from April to August ranges from 90,000 to 110,000
visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Lake Wylie is estimated at approximately 1,389
total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Lake Wylie is at
approximately 19%, 36%, and 64% of its capacity.
On Lake Wylie, the predominant activities are boating and fishing. The table below shows each
major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 47: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Wylie
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 18%
Boat Fishing 16%
Bank/Pier Fishing 26%
Swimming 8%
Canoeing/Kayaking 3%
Picnicking 4%
Camping 25%
Other uses <1%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development, the amount of private piers, and the percentages of
carrying capacity the reservoir receives, Lake Wylie is classified as a "Developed" reservoir.
3.4.7.3 Tourism
According to Robert Thomas, Sports Marketing Coordinator with the Rock Hill-York County
Convention and Visitors Bureau, York County aggressively promotes tourism on Lake Wylie.
The county predominantly markets the reservoir as a first-rate fishing destination for both casual
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and competitive fishermen. The county has recently hosted a Bassmasters fishing tournament
and has been using its success to increase the tourist base to the area. Mr. Thomas believes that
Lake Wylie is used extensively by locals and tourists alike and that the summer recreation season
draws the greatest volume of tourists.
Vicky Riddel, the Director of Tourism for Gaston County, believes that Lake Wylie draws most
of its visitors from the local area and the greater Charlotte regional area. In her assessment,
fishing and boating are the predominant activities that bring visitors year-round, but the reservoir
becomes especially crowded during the summer months. The county actively promotes tourism
through mail-out brochures via request and through their website. The county also distributes a
visitor's guide with a section designated for sports and recreation.
3.4.8 Fishing Creek Lake
Fishing Creek Lake is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located southeast of Rock Hill in Lancaster and Chester
counties, South Carolina. Fishing Creek Lake has a surface area of about 3,200 acres and 67.1
shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 417.2 feet (Duke Power, 2001).
The normal annual operating elevation for Fishing Creek is between one and five feet below full
pond elevation at any given time during normal operations (Duke Power, 2003).
3.4.8.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Fishing Creek Lake has two public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among
these two sites, there are two boat launch ramps (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 48: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Fishing Creek Lake
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Cane Creek Duke 1 0 N N
Power/SCDNR
Fishing Creek Duke

Power/SCDNR 1 0 N N
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation providers for Fishing Creek Lake.
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3.4.8.2 Recreational Experience
Fishing Creek Lake is generally an undeveloped reservoir. Of the reservoir's approximately 67
miles of shoreline, nearly 92% remain undeveloped while only 8.3% has been developed (Duke
Power, 2001). Likewise, Fishing Creek Lake has 100 private piers.
Table 49: Percent Development by Category at Fishing Creek Lake
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 91.4%
Limited Development 0.3%
Developed 8.3%
Visitation at Fishing Creek Lake shows the greatest number of visitors during April through July.
Based on traffic data, monthly visitation from April to July ranges from 6,500 to 9,500 visitors
per month. The carrying capacity at Fishing Creek Lake is estimated at approximately 460 total
boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Fishing Creek Lake is
at approximately 1%, 4%, and 5% of its capacity.
On Fishing Creek Lake, the predominant activity is fishing. The table below shows each major
recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 50: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Fishing Creek Lake
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 6%
Boat Fishing 11%
Bank/Pier Fishing 72%
Swimming 1%
Canoeing/Kayaking 2%
Picnicking 2%
Camping 0%
Other uses 6%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development, the low percentages of total carrying capacity the
reservoir receives, and the low percentages of total motor boating usage, Fishing Creek Lake is
classified as a "Natural" reservoir.
3.4.8.3 Tourism
Tom White, Director of Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, stated that Lancaster County
only semi-actively promotes tourism on Fishing Creek Lake. The Chamber has brochures that
mention the reservoir, but generally promotes other attractions in the county. Because the
reservoir has limited access and is predominantly used by locals, Lancaster County does not use
it as a selling point to tourists.
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3.4.9 Great Falls/Rocky Creek Lakes
Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes are Duke Power-owned and operated reservoirs within the
Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project. The reservoirs are located southeast of Rock Hill in
Chester, Lancaster, and Fairfield counties, South Carolina. Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes
have a combined surface area of about 1,020 acres and 37 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation
of 355.8 feet (Great Falls) and 284.4 feet (Rocky Creek) (Duke Power, 2001).
The normal annual operating elevation for Great Falls is between one-half and six feet below full
pond elevation at any given time during normal operations (Duke Power, 2003). The normal
annual operating elevation for Rocky Creek is between one-half and four feet below full pond
elevation at any given time during normal operations.
3.4.9.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes have one public recreation site each that provide direct
reservoir access (Duke Power, 2001). Among these two sites, there are two boat launch ramps.
Table 51: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Owner/ Operator Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Rams Piers /N YIN
Stumpy Pond Duke Power/SCDNR 1 0 N N
Debuts Creek Duke Power/SCDNR 1 0 N N
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are no commercial recreation providers for Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes.
3.4.9.2 Recreational Experience
Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes are generally undeveloped reservoirs with no private piers.
Of the reservoirs' approximately 37 combined miles of shoreline, nearly 77% remain
undeveloped while 23% has been developed as part of project operations (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 52: Percent Development by Category at Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 77%
Limited Development 0%
Developed 23%
Visitation at Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes shows the greatest number of visitors during
April. Based on traffic data, monthly visitation during April is approximately 5,500 visitors.
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The carrying capacity at Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes is estimated at approximately 125
total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Great Falls and
Rocky Creek lakes are at approximately 2%, 6%, and 8% of their capacity.
On Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes, the predominant activity is fishing. The table below
shows each major recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 53: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Great Falls and Rocky Creek Lakes
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 15%
Boat Fishing 44%
Bank/Pier Fishing 37%
Swimming 4%
Canoeing/Kayaking 0%
Picnicking 0%
Camping 0%
Other uses 0%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development and the low percentages of total carrying capacity
the reservoirs receive, Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes are classified as "Natural" reservoirs.
3.4.9.3 Tourism
Tom White, Director of Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, stated that Lancaster County
only semi-actively promotes tourism on Great Falls and Rocky Creek lakes. The Chamber has
brochures that mention the reservoirs, but generally promotes other attractions in the county.
Because the reservoirs have limited access and are predominantly used by locals, Lancaster
County does not use them as a selling point to tourists.
3.4.10 Lake Wateree
Lake Wateree is a Duke Power-owned and operated reservoir within the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located northeast of Columbia, South Carolina in
Lancaster, Kershaw, and Fairfield counties. Lake Wateree has a surface area of about 13,900
acres and 213.1 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of 225.5 feet (Duke Power, 2001).
Under normal operating conditions, Lake Wateree maintains a level of three feet below full pond
elevation from February 16 to November 1 of each year (Duke Power, 2003). Water levels are
then dropped two feet from November 1 to December 13 as part of a Stage 1 drawdown. From
December 13 to January 24 a level of 220.5 feet is maintained. On January 24, refilling begins
as the reservoir level increases to reach normal maximum elevation by February 16.
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3.4.10.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Lake Wateree has nine public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these
nine sites, there are 18 boat launch ramps and one fishing pier (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 54: Public Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Lake Wateree
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Cedar Creek Duke Power/ 2 0 N N
NCWRC
Wateree Creek Duke 1 0 N N
Power/NCWRC
Taylor Creek Duke Power/
Mecklenburg 2 0 N N
Co.
June Creek Duke 2 0 N N
Power/SCDNR
Colonel's Creek Duke 3 0 N N
Power/SCDNR
White Oak Creek Duke
Power/City of 4 1 N N
Rock Hill
Buck Hill Duke 2 0 N N
Power/SCDNR
Lugoff Duke

Power/SCDNR 1 0 N N
Beaver Creek SCDNR 1 0 N N
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Lake Wateree State Recreation Area
Lake Wateree State Recreation Area is a 238-acre state park located northeast of Columbia in
Fairfield County, South Carolina. Operated by the South Carolina Department of Parks,
Recreation and Tourism, the park provides opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking,
and picnicking (South Carolina State Parks website). The park has two boat ramps that provide
direct access to Lake Wateree. Fishing is permitted throughout the park with a valid North
Carolina fishing license.
The Lake Wateree State Recreation Area has one trail, the Desportes Nature Trail.
Table 55: Trail Summary for Lake Wateree State Recreation Area
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Desportes Nature Trail Moderate 0.7
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The park offers opportunities for family camping. The family campground has 50 campsites for
tents and trailers. Adjacent to the campground is a large picnic area with picnic tables and
outdoor grills.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are six commercial public marinas located on Lake Wateree. These marinas offer services
such as boat launch ramps, gas pumps, grocery stores, fishing access, and picnic areas.
3.4.10.2 Recreational Experience
Lake Wateree is generally a residential reservoir having approximately 2,083 private piers. Of
the reservoir's approximately 213 miles of shoreline, nearly 58% remain undeveloped while 41%
has been developed (Duke Power, 2001).
Table 56: Percent Development by Category at Lake Wateree
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 58%
Limited Development 0%
Developed 41%
Visitation at Lake Wateree shows the greatest number of visitors during April and May. Based
on traffic data, monthly visitation during April and May is approximately 52,000 and 43,000
visitors per month. The carrying capacity at Lake Wateree is estimated at approximately 2,166
total boats. It is also estimated that during weekdays, weekends and holidays, Lake Wateree is at
approximately 10%, 12%, and 18% of its capacity.
On Lake Wateree, the predominant activity is fishing. The table below shows each major
recreation activity and the percentage of total use each activity receives.
Table 57: Percentage of Total Use by Recreation Activity at Lake Wateree
Type o Activity Estimated Percentage
Motor Boating 3%
Boat Fishing 10%
Bank/Pier Fishing 81%
Swimming 2%
Canoeing/Kayaking 0%
Picnicking 1%
Camping 0%
Other uses 3%
Source: Catawba-Wateree Project Shoreline Management Plan, Duke Power, 2001.
Based in part on the amount of development, the amount of private piers, the low percentages of
total carrying capacity the reservoir receives, and the low percentages of total motor boating
usage, Lake Wateree is classified as a "Limited Development" reservoir.
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3.4.10.3 Tourism
Lake Wateree is promoted in part by the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce. According to
Walter B. Clark, Executive Director of the Chamber, Kershaw County aggressively promotes
Lake Wateree through its website, mail-out brochures, advertisements in Southern Living, and
advertisements in the northeastern United States. He has data that suggests that out of 14,000
mail-out information packages that are mailed each year, 25% of the people who requested them
actually come to visit. Nonetheless, Mr. Clark believes the reservoir receives the majority of its
use from visitors within a 50-mile radius. Large events, such as fishing tournaments, bring in the
largest number of people from outside the area to visit the reservoir. The predominant activities
are boating and fishing and the reservoir is relatively uncrowded, but receives the most visitors
during weekends and holidays.
The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce also promotes tourism at Lake Wateree via a
website and mail-out brochures. According to Susan Yenner, an administrative assistant with the
Chamber, fishing tournaments and the state recreation area bring the largest number of tourists to
the reservoir. The reservoir receives much local use; but during the summer, numerous tourists
visit the reservoir for boating and fishing.
3.5 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a federal agency that manages five reservoirs
within the study region. With more than 300 reservoir projects, the USACE is the largest
owner/operator of dams and reservoirs in the country and the fourth largest provider of
hydroelectric power in the United States (USACE, Who We Are website). The USACE
generally manages reservoirs for hydroelectric power generation, flood control, water supply,
and recreational uses.
3.5.1 W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
The W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir built on the Yadkin
River for flood control, water supply, conservation of fish and wildlife, and recreational
purposes. The reservoir is located west of Wilkesboro in Wilkes County, North Carolina. W.
Kerr Scott Reservoir has a surface area of about 1,500 acres and 55 shoreline miles at a full pond
elevation of 1,030 feet (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website).
Operation of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir aims to maintain a 1,030 feet elevation according to an
established guide curve (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website).
Depending on climatic conditions, actual elevations may fluctuate higher or lower than the
intended guide curve.
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3.5.1.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir has 12 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access.
Among these 12 sites, there are seven boat launch ramps, three fishing piers, five swimming
beaches, and three campgrounds (USACE, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir website).
Table 58: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir

Site Name Owner/

Operator Number of
Boat Launch
Rams Number of
Fishing
Piers Swim
Beach
YIN Camping
Available
/N
Bandits Roost USACE 1 0 Y Y
Berry Mountain USACE 0 0 Y N
Blood Creek USACE 0 1 N N
Boomer USACE 1 0 Y N
Dam Site USACE 1 0 N N
Dark Mountain USACE 0 0 N N
Fish Dam Creek USACE 0 0 N N
Fort Hamby Park USACE 1 0 Y Y
Keowee USACE 1 1 N N
Smitheys Creek USACE 1 0 N N
Tailwater Access USACE 0 1 N N
Warrior Creek USACE 1 0 Y Y
Source: USACE, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir website.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
The Wilkes Skyline Marina is the only commercial marina located on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir.
The Skyline Marina offers services such as boat launch ramps, gas pumps, and a grocery store.
3.5.1.2 Recreational Experience
According to Shiloh Wiles of the USACE's W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, there is little to no
development along the reservoir shoreline. In her estimates, there are approximately 150-200
residential homes that are barely visible from the water due to a 50-foot buffer zone. Similarly,
she estimates that there are approximately 100 private piers on the reservoir. From April to
November, she estimates that there are approximately 30-40 boaters per day, with nearly no
visitors at all during the winter months. Based on this interview, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is
classified as a "Limited Development" reservoir.
3.5.1.3 Tourism
According to Linda Cheek, President of the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce, Wilkes
County actively promotes W. Kerr Scott Reservoir since it is the only nearby reservoir in
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northwestern North Carolina. She believes these efforts have increased tourism since the visitor
center at the dam receives large numbers of visitors and the campgrounds around the reservoir
are often filled to capacity. Spring through fall are the most popular seasons for reservoir
recreational use, including fishing, boating, canoeing, bird watching, camping, swimming, and
water skiing.
3.5.2 John H. Kerr Reservoir
The John H. Kerr Reservoir (also known as Buggs Island Lake and Kerr Lake) is a U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers reservoir built on the Roanoke River for flood control, recreation,
hydroelectric power generation, water supply, and conservation of fish and wildlife. The
reservoir is located north of Henderson, North Carolina in Granville, Vance, and Warren
counties, North Carolina and Mecklenburg, Charlotte, and Halifax counties, Virginia. John H.
Kerr Reservoir has a surface area of about 48,900 acres and 800 shoreline miles at a full pond
elevation of 302 feet (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website).
Operating under an established guide curve, John H. Kerr Reservoir maintains a level at full
pond elevation (302 feet) from April 15 to May 31 of each year (USACE, Wilmington District,
Water Management Unit website). Water levels are then dropped two and one-half feet from
May 31 to June 15. This new elevation of 299.5 feet is maintained until September 30. From
October 1 to November 30, water levels are then dropped four feet to 295.5 feet. On March 1,
refilling begins as the reservoir level increases to reach normal maximum elevation by April 15.
Depending on climatic conditions, actual elevations may fluctuate higher or lower than the
intended guide curve.
3.5.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
John H. Kerr Reservoir has 19 public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access.
Among these 19 sites, there are 16 boat launch ramps, one fishing pier, six swimming beaches,
and five campgrounds (USACE, John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir website).
Table 59: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at John H. Kerr Reservoir
Owner/ Number of Number of Swim Camping
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers /N /N
Bluestone Access USACE 1 0 N N
Buffalo Park USACE 1 0 Y Y
Buffalo S rin s USACE 0 0 N N
Clover Landing USACENADGIF 1 0 N N
Eagle Point Landing USACE 1 0 N N
Eastland Creek Park USACE 1 0 N N
Flemingtown Road USACE/NCWRC 1 0 N N
Landing
Grassy Creek Park USACE 1 0 Y N
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Hyco Landing VADGIF 1 0 N N
Island Creek Park USACE 1 0 N N
Iv Hill Park USACE 1 0 Y Y
Longwood Park USACE 1 0 N Y
North Bend Park USACE 1 1 Y Y
Palmer Point USACE 1 0 Y N
Rudds Creek
Recreation Area USACE 1 0 Y Y
Staunton View Park USACE 1 0 N N
Tailrace Park USACE 1 0 N N
Tanner Center and
Liberty Hill USACE 0 0 N N
Williamsboro
Wayside NA 0 0 N N
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Source: USACE, John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir website.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area consists of eight separate recreation sites in Vance and Warren
counties, North Carolina. Operated by the NCDENR Division of Parks and Recreation, the
recreation sites provide opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and
picnicking (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Among the eight recreation
sites, there are two fishing piers, seven boat ramps, one swimming beach, and eight
campgrounds. Bank fishing is allowed throughout the recreation area and on Kerr Lake via boat.
The Bullocksville and Henderson Point sites also offer fishing piers.
Table 60: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Bullocksville NCDENR 1 1 N Y
County Line NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Henderson Point NCDENR 1 1 N Y
Hibernia NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Kimball Point NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Nutbush Bride NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Satterwhite Point NCDENR 0 0 Y Y
JC Cooper NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Campground
The recreation sites offer opportunities for family camping and group camping. Combined, the
eight family campgrounds have approximately 700 campsites. Hibernia, Henderson Point, and
Satterwhite Point all have group sites available by reservation only. Bullocksville, Satterwhite
Point, and Hibernia have short nature trails for hiking and wildlife observation.
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Seven of the recreation sites provide picnicking areas. Each picnic area has picnic tables and
grills and there are a total of 11 picnic shelters which vary in size and can accommodate up to 50
people.
Occoneechee State Park
Occoneechee State Park is a 2,698-acre state park located east of South Boston in Mecklenburg
County, Virginia. Operated by the Virginia Department of Recreation and Conservation (VA
DCR), the park provides opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking,
horseback riding, and picnicking (VA DCR, Virginia State Parks website). Adjacent to the
shoreline of Kerr Lake, the park has three boat ramps available for launching private boats
(motorized and non-motorized). Fishing is permitted throughout the park with a valid Virginia
fishing license.
Occoneechee State Park has approximately 18 miles of trails within the park. Three miles of
trails are designated for hiking only and a 15-mile multi-purpose trail can be used for hiking,
mountain biking, or horseback riding.
Table 61: Trail Summary for Occoneechee State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Old Plantation Interpretive Trail NA 1.2
Mossey Creek Nature Trail NA 0.7
Warriors Path Nature Trail NA 0.4
Big Oak Nature Trail NA 0.8
Campground B Connection Trail NA 0.2
Panhandle Multi-use Trail NA 15 (out and back)
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
The park offers opportunities for family camping. There are two family campgrounds for tents,
trailers, and RVs: one has 51 campsites and the other has 37. Each campsite has a tent pad and a
fire grill.
The park has two picnic areas available. Each picnic area has a shelter area and picnic table and
grills are available. One shelter can accommodate up to 50 people and the other can
accommodate up to 125.
Staunton River State Park
Staunton River State Park is a 1,597-acre state park located east of South Boston in Halifax
County, Virginia. Operated by VA DCR, the park provides opportunities for boating, fishing,
camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, and picnicking (VA DCR,
Virginia State Parks web site). Adjacent to the shoreline of Kerr Lake, the park has one boat
ramp available for launching private boats (motorized and non-motorized). Fishing is permitted
throughout the park with a valid Virginia license.
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Staunton River State Park has approximately 10 miles of trails within the park. Three miles of
trails are designated for hiking only and a 7.5 mile multi-purpose trail can be used for hiking,
mountain biking, or horseback riding.
Table 62: Trail Summary for Staunton River State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
River Bank Trail NA 7.5
Tutelo Trail NA 0.1
Crow's Nest Trail NA 0.5
Robin's Roost Trail NA 0.5
Loblolly Trail NA 0.7
Captain Staunton's Trail NA 0.6
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
The park offers opportunities for family camping and vacation cabins. The family campground
has 48 campsites available for tents, trailers, and RVs. The park also has four one-bedroom
cabins and three two-bedroom cabins.
The park has two picnic areas available. Each picnic area has a shelter area and picnic table and
grills are available. Each shelter can accommodate up to 60 people. The park also provides a
wading pool and a larger swimming pool for guests.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
There are three major commercial marinas on Kerr Lake: Satterwhite Point Marina, Clarksville
Marina, and Steele Creek Marina and Campground. Facilities at Satterwhite Point Marina
include rental cabins, boat storage, wet slips, boat launch ramps, a fuel dock, and a grocery store.
Steele Creek Marina and Campground is a full-service marina and campground. The marina
offers boat launch ramps, gas pumps, fishing access, boat mooring and docking facilities, and a
snack bar. The campground has facilities for tent and trailer camping, as well as a group
camping area. The marina also has boats available for sale and a public picnic area.
3.5.2.2 Recreational Experience
John H. Kerr Reservoir is generally a semi-residential reservoir having more than 1,700 private
recreation facilities (USACE, 1993). Of the reservoir's approximately 800 miles of shoreline,
nearly 31% remain undeveloped while 31% has been developed.
Table 63: Percent Development b Category at John H. Kerr Reservoir
Development Classification Percentage
Undeveloped 31%
Limited Development 38%
Developed 31%
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Based in part on the amount of development and the amount of private piers, John H. Kerr
Reservoir is classified as a "Limited Development" reservoir.
3.5.2.3 Tourism
Tourism on John H. Kerr Reservoir is promoted by various localities in both Virginia and North
Carolina. The Clarksville (Virginia) Chamber of Commerce is one of the most aggressive
promoters of tourism as it is the only town located directly on the reservoir. According to Linda
Williams, Director of the Clarksville Chamber, Clarksville and Mecklenburg County promote
tourism through their website and by mailing out vacation packages to prospective visitors.
Recently, Clarksville has added hydroglow lights near bridge overpasses to help create a new
tourism niche for night fisherman. Fishing and boating are the predominant activities that attract
tourists to the reservoir. Mecklenburg County hosts numerous fishing tournaments each year and
has recently found success with its Hydroplane Challenge competition. The Town of Clarksville
also promotes its sailing clubs, jet skiing, and water skiing as popular activities. Ms. Williams
believes that thousands of tourists come through Clarksville every summer (the most popular
season) to visit the reservoir. She also says that the reservoir is very popular in spring and fall.
The Vance County (North Carolina) Tourism Department also heavily promotes the John H.
Kerr reservoir through its website. According to Norman Dickerson with the Vance County
Tourism Department, the reservoir offers a number of recreation opportunities, including fishing,
boating, sailing, and various water sports in addition to hiking trails, camping, and picnic areas
found in the parks surrounding the reservoir. He believes that most of the reservoir's visitors are
from out-of-town with spring through fall being the most popular seasons.
3.5.3 Falls Lake
Falls Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir built on the Neuse River for flood
control, water supply, water quality, and recreational purposes. The reservoir is located north of
Raleigh and west of Durham in Wake, Durham, and Granville counties, North Carolina. Falls
Lake has a surface area of about 12,400 acres and 175 shoreline miles at a full pond elevation of
251.5 feet (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website).
Operation of Falls Lake aims to maintain a 251.5 feet elevation according to an established guide
curve (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website). Depending on climatic
conditions, actual elevations may fluctuate higher or lower than the intended guide curve.
3.5.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
Falls Lake has six public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access. Among these six
sites, there are four boat launch ramps (USACE, Falls Lake website).
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Table 64: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Falls Lake

Site Name Owner/

Operator Number of
Boat Launch
Rams Number of

Fishing Piers Swim
Beach
/N Camping
Available
YIN
Tailrace Fishing Area USACE 0 0 N N
Blue Jay Point Wake County 0 0 N N
Upper Barton NCWRC 1 0 N N
Ledge Rock NCWRC 1 0 N N
Hickory Hill NCWRC 1 0 N N
Eno River NCWRC 1 0 N N
Source: USACE, Falls Lake website.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Falls Lake State Recreation Area consists of seven separate recreation sites in Durham and Wake
counties, North Carolina. Operated by the NCDENR Division of Parks and Recreation, the
recreation sites provide opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking,
swimming, and picnicking (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Among the
seven recreation sites, there is a fishing pier, four boat ramps, four swimming beaches, and four
campgrounds.
Four of the recreation sites offer boat launching facilities. Highway 50, Rolling View, and
Beaverdam offer facilities for launching motorized boats and B.W. Wells has a ramp for non-
motorized boaters. Bank fishing is allowed throughout the recreation area and on Falls Lake via
boat.
Table 65: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Site Name Owner/

Operator Number of
Boat Launch
Rams Number of
Fishing
Piers Swim
Beach
YIN Camping
Available
/N
Beaverdam NCDENR 0 1 Y N
B.W. Wells NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Highway 50 NCDENR 1 0 N N
Holly Point NCDENR 1 0 Y Y
Rolling View NCDENR 1 0 Y Y
Sandling Beach NCDENR 0 0 Y N
Shinleaf NCDENR 0 0 N Y
The recreation sites offer opportunities for family camping, group camping, and backpack
camping. There are two family campgrounds, one at the Holly Point Area and one at the Rolling
View area. The Holly Point campground offers 153 campsites for tents and trailers and the
Rolling View campground has 80 sites. Rolling View and B.W. Wells have a total of 18 group
camping sites suitable for 30 to 35 people each. The Shinleaf area offers hike-in tent camping.
Thirteen miles of single-track mountain biking trails are located in the Beaverdam area. For
hiking, the Falls Lake Trail is currently under construction and will eventually travel the entire
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south shore of the reservoir. A section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (Section 4.10.1) has been
completed through two of the recreation sites and backpack camping areas have been planned.
All seven of the recreation sites provide picnicking areas. Each picnic area has picnic tables and
grills and Sandling Beach, Rolling View, and Beaverdam have picnic shelters available. These
three areas also provide public swimming beaches, while Holly Point's swimming beach is
available to campers only.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
Rolling View Marina, located adjacent to the Rolling View Recreation Area, is a full-service
marina with boat launch ramps, gas pumps, and a grocery store.
3.5.3.2 Recreational Experience
According to Jennifer Waldrop, a park ranger at Falls Lake, development is not allowed on the
reservoir. There are a limited number of houses around the reservoir based on its proximity to
the Raleigh-Durham area. However, new development is not allowed nor are private piers of
any kind. Based on this interview, Falls Lake is classified as a "Natural" reservoir.
3.5.3.3 Tourism
According to Shelly Green, Executive Director with the Durham County Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Durham County promotes tourism for Falls Lake, particularly the Rolling View
Recreation Area. She believes that boating, fishing and camping are the predominant activities
on Falls Lake. She asserted that visitors come to the reservoir year-round but that the summer
months are far more crowded than others. Additionally, Reyn Bowman, President of the
Durham County CVB, believes that sailing, water skiing, and swimming are popular activities on
the reservoir.
3.5.4 B. Everett Jordan Lake
B. Everett Jordan Lake (Jordan Lake) is a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir built on the
Haw River for flood control, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife conservation, and
recreational purposes. The reservoir is located south of Chapel Hill in Chatham County, North
Carolina. Jordan Lake has a surface area of about 14,000 acres and 200 shoreline miles at a full
pond elevation of 216 feet (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website).
Operation of B. Everett Jordan Lake aims to maintain a 216 feet elevation according to an
established guide curve (USACE, Wilmington District, Water Management Unit website).
Depending on climatic conditions, actual elevations may fluctuate higher or lower than the
intended guide curve.
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3.5.4.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources
Public Recreation Sites
B. Everett Jordan Lake has three public recreation sites that provide direct reservoir access.
Among these three sites, there are two boat launch ramps (USACE, B. Everett Jordan Lake
website).
Table 66: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at B. Everett Jordan Lake
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Rams Piers YIN /N
Poes Ridge USACE 1 0 N N
Tailrace USACE NA NA NA NA
Farrington Point NCWRC 1 0 N N
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Source: USACE, B. Everett Jordan Lake website.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area consists of eight separate recreation sites adjacent to the
reservoir in Chatham County, North Carolina. Operated by the NCDENR Division of Parks and
Recreation, the recreation sites provide opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking,
swimming, and picnicking (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Among the
eight recreation sites, there are 20 boat ramps, six swimming beaches, and five campgrounds.
All of the recreation sites offer boat launching facilities for public use. The Crosswinds
Campground and Poplar Point boat ramps are available for campers only. Bank fishing is
allowed throughout the recreation area and on Jordan Lake via boat.
Table 67: Recreation Sites and Opportunities at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Number of Number of Swim Camping
Owner/
Site Name Boat Launch Fishing Beach Available
Operator
Ram s Piers YIN YIN
New Hope Overlook NCDENR 1 0 N Y
Ebenezer NCDENR 1 0 Y N
Poplar Point NCDENR 4 0 Y Y
Crosswinds NCDENR 2 0 Y Y
Campground
Robeson Creek NCDENR 1 0 N N
Seaforth NCDENR 6 0 Y N
Parkers Creek NCDENR 1 0 Y Y
Vista Point NCDENR 4 0 Y Y
The recreation sites offer opportunities for family camping, group camping, and backpack and
canoe camping. There are three family campgrounds: one at the Crosswinds Campground, one
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at Parkers Creek, and one at Poplar Point. Crosswinds Campground offers 129 campsites for
tents and trailers, Parkers Creek has 250 sites, and the Poplar Point campground has 361 sites.
Parkers Creek and Vista Point have a total of 11 group camping sites. New Hope Overlook
offers 24 hike-in or canoe-in tent camping sites.
Six of the recreation sites (Crosswinds Campground, Ebenezer, Parkers Creek, Poplar Point,
Seaforth, and Vista Point) have short hiking and interpretive trails. These six sites also offer
swimming beaches.
All of the recreation sites provide picnicking areas. Each picnic area has picnic tables, grills, and
picnic shelters.
Jordan Lake State Educational Forest
Operated by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, the Jordan Lake Educational State
Forest offers opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and educational programs (NCDENR,
Division of Forest Resources website). The educational forest is located on Jordan Lake in
Chatham County, North Carolina.
The forest offers a large picnic area with picnic tables and grills, in addition to a shelter available
for large groups through reservation only. The forest has numerous trails for hiking and viewing
interpretive exhibits. The trails include a Talking Tree trail, a Forest Demonstration trail, a
Wetlands trail, and a Wildlife trail. The forest also offers an amphitheater for educational
programs and an educational cabin for various exhibits.
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
Crosswinds Marina is the only commercial marina providing access to B. Everett Jordan Lake.
The marina offers wet/dry storage, gas pumps, a public launch ramp, a bait and tackle shop, and
boat rentals.
3.5.4.2 Recreational Experience
According to R.C. Ducksen with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, no development of any kind
is allowed on the shoreline of Jordan Lake and there are no private piers or homes on the
reservoir. Similarly, the USACE maintains a buffer of varying width around the entire shoreline.
Based on this information, Jordan Lake is classified as a "Natural" reservoir.
3.5.4.3 Tourism
According to Neha Shah, Director of Tourism at the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and Visitors
Bureau in Chatham County, Jordan Lake is consistently listed as one of the top 10 attractions in
North Carolina. The reservoir is strategically located for both tourists and residents and the
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area draws approximately 1.1 million visitors per year. Ms. Shah
believes that all outdoor activities are popular, especially camping, hiking, picnicking, wildlife
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viewing, sailing, boating, and fishing. The summer and fall months receive the heaviest use, but
there are events that draw large numbers of visitors throughout the year. The Pittsboro-Siler City
CVB is responsible for promoting tourism in Chatham County and at Jordan Lake and does so
through brochures, listings in the North Carolina Travel Guide, a website, and advertisements.
The CVB primarily targets the Tri-Cities area to bring tourists to the reservoir.
3.6 Additional Smaller Reservoirs
As part of the site review conducted for this study, several smaller reservoirs were recently
identified within the study region (within 100 miles of the Yadkin Project) (Table 68). Very
general, limited information is readily available for these reservoirs. However, Philpott, Belews,
and Lake H. B. Robinson appear to be similar to some of the reservoirs already discussed in the
study since they are associated with power production. Philpott Reservoir is operated by the
USACE, while Belews (Duke Power) and Lake H.B. Robinson (Progress Energy) are used as
cooling water supplies for steam and nuclear generating stations, respectively. The others are
local water supplies and appear to offer more limited recreation opportunities.
Since the primary focus of this study was the larger regional reservoirs that provide recreational
opportunities, no detailed information was collected for these small reservoirs. However, it
should be recognized that these reservoirs do provide some recreational opportunities within the
region.
Table 68: Additional Smaller Reservoirs Identified
Reservoir Location Owner Description
(County, State
Philpott Franklin, Henry U.S. Army Reservoir is located on the Smith River and used
Reservoir and Patrick Corps of for recreation, flood control, hydroelectric power,
counties, VA Engineers conservation of fish/wildlife, and water supply.
Reservoir surface area is about 2,880 acres with
110 shoreline miles. Recreation opportunities
include boating, picnicking, camping, and nature
trails.'
Belews Lake Forsyth, Stokes, Duke Reservoir is a cooling water supply for steam
and Rockingham Power station. Reservoir surface area is about 3,863
counties, NC acres with approximately 88 miles of shoreline.
Duke Power provides two public access sites on
the reservoir and camping is allowed only in
designated areas .2
Lake H.B. Chesterfield and Progress Reservoir is a cooling water supply for a nuclear
Robinson Darlington Energy generating station. There is at least one public
counties, SC fishing pier and public access to the reservoir,
which has a surface area of approximately 2,250
3
acres.
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Lake Guilford County, City of Reservoir is approximately 1,500 acres and is
Townsend NC Greensboro used for a local water supply. Recreation
opportunities include small craft boating, sailing,
fishing and hiking trails (several are incorporated
in the Mountains-to-Sea Trail discussed in Section
4.10.1). The reservoir is adjacent to the Bryan
Park complex which offers golf, tennis, and
picnicking areas. Swimming, sailboards and water
skiing are not ermitted.4
Lake Michie Durham County, City of Reservoir is used for local water supply.
NC Durham Recreation opportunities include fishing, boating,
primitive camping by permit, two group camping
sites, picnic areas, and hiking trails.'
Little River Durham County, City of Reservoir is the primary water supply for City of
Lake NC Durham Durham. Durham limits and controls recreational
activities at the reservoir. Recreation
opportunities include boat rentals (privately
owned boats are not permitted) and bank fishing,
both b permit only.'
Moss Lake Cleveland County, City of Reservoir is used for local water supply and has
(Kings NC Kings 57 miles of shoreline. Recreation opportunities
Mountain Mountain include boating, swimming, fishing, and
Reservoir) cam in .6
' USACE, Wilmington District, Philpott Reservoir Recreation website.
2 Duke Power, Lake Facts and Maps website.
s South Carolina Lakes Network, Lake H.B. Robinson website.
4 North Carolina Outdoors, Greensboro Watershed Trails and Lake Townsend Yacht Club websites.
5 Durham County, Parks and Recreation Department website.
6 Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, Entertainment and Recreation website.
4.0 Other Recreation Resources
Other types of recreation sites within the Yadkin Project region provide users with significant
additional opportunities for outdoor recreation. Some of the major recreational destinations
within the study region, including national forests and state parks are discussed briefly in the
following sections.
4.1 National and State Forests
National Forest System lands are managed under a variety of Federal Regulations to include the
National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA). NFMA established Land and Resource
Management Plans (Forest Plans) that guide how the U. S. Forest Service (USFS) will fulfill its
stewardship of natural resources. Forest Plans establish management areas that are similar to
zones of a city plan. Each management area is developed to achieve different desired conditions,
emphasize different activities, permit different uses of the forest, and emphasize differing
wildlife species and landscape features (APGI Tapoco Division, 2004). One aspect described by
a management area is the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS), which was developed by the
USFS to integrate recreation and tourism with non-recreational land use. The ROS
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classification system characterizes the level of development and the desired recreation
experiences on national forest lands while providing a context for recreation planning which
considers the activity, setting, and recreation experience of the user (USFS, 2001).
4.1.1 Uwharrie National Forest
The Uwharrie National Forest (UNF) is a 50,189-acre national forest located east of Albemarle
in Montgomery and Randolph counties, North Carolina. Operated by the USFS, the park
provides opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding,
OHV use, hunting, and picnicking (USFS, Uwharrie National Forest, Recreation Guide website).
Adjacent to the shorelines of Narrows Reservoir, Falls Reservoir, and the Uwharrie River, the
forest has 13 designated recreation sites. Fishing is allowed throughout the forest with a valid
North Carolina fishing license.
Table 69: Summary of Recreation Sites in the Uwharrie National Forest
Number of Boat Number of Swim Beach Camping
Site Name Launch Rams Fishing Piers /N Available /N
Arrowhead 0 0 N Y
Campground
Badin Group 0 0 N Y
Camp
Badin Horse 0 0 N Y
Cam
Badin Lake 0 0 N Y
Campground
Canebrake Horse 0 0 N Y
Cam
Cove Boat Ram 1 0 N N
East Morris 0 0 N Y
Mountain
Holts Cabin 0 0 N N
King's Mountain 0 1 N N
Point
Uwharrie Hunt 0 0 N Y
Cam
West Morris 0 0 N Y
Mountain
Yates Place 0 0 N Y
Deep Water Trail 1 0 N Y
Cam
The Uwharrie National Forest offers opportunities for family camping, primitive camping, group
camping, horse camping, and hunt camping. Arrowhead, Badin Lake Campground, West Morris
Mountain, and Yates Place have opportunities for tent, RV, and trailer camping. The Badin
Group Camp has three sites with 15 to 35-person capacity each. Deep Water Trail offers
primitive hike-in camping. Also available are two horse camps and two hunt camps.
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Several recreation sites offer direct access to the Yadkin Project reservoirs (all except the Deep
Water Trail offer access to Narrows Reservoir). Holt's Cabin picnic area offers opportunities for
picnicking and shoreline fishing. Cove Boat Ramp, located along the Narrows Reservoir
shoreline has a boat ramp with a courtesy pier as well as a picnic area. King's Mountain Point,
managed cooperatively with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), has a
walk-in fishing pier available. The Deep Water Trail recreation site offers opportunities for
shoreline fishing and carry-in boat launching on Falls Reservoir.
The Uwharrie National Forest has more than 80 miles divided among nine major trails. Sixteen
miles of trails are designated for OHV use and there are three trails specifically designated for
mountain bikes. The remaining trails are for hikers only.
Table 70: Trail Summary for Uwharrie National Forest
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Badin Lake NA 6.5
Badin 014V NA 16
Uwharrie National Recreation
Trail NA 20.4
Dutchman's Creek NA 9.8
Supertree Loop NA 7.7
Keyauwee Loop NA 8.9
Denson's Creek NA 2.3
Uwham*e Fitness NA 0.25
Birkhead Mountains NA 8.8
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area
Within the Uwharrie National Forest system is the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness Area.
Covering approximately 5,160 acres at the northern end of the Uwharrie Mountains, the
wilderness area is designated for foot travel only. Mountain bikes, horses, and motorized
vehicles of any kind are not permitted in the wilderness area. This area offers numerous trails for
hiking, most notably the Birkhead Mountains Trail. The Birkhead Mountains Trail is a circuit
trail of 8.8 miles that crosses the wilderness.
4.1.2 Pisgah National Forest
The Pisgah National Forest is a 1,076,711-acre national forest located in western North Carolina
in Caldwell, Burke, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, McDowell, Yancey, Madison, Buncombe and
Haywood counties (USFS, Outdoor Recreation Opportunities website). Operated by USFS, the
majority of the Pisgah National Forest is located outside of the study region, with the exception
of its western edge. Within the study region, the forest provides opportunities for fishing,
camping, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, OHV use, hunting, and
picnicking.
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Specifically, there are seven main recreation sites within the study region. Two of these sites,
Mortimer and Boone Fork, provide facilities for both family camping and group camping.
Mortimer Campground has 23 sites available for tent and trailer camping. Boone Fork
campground has 48 sites for tent and trailer camping and facilities for group camping. Both
campgrounds have picnic areas available, access to hiking trails, and access to fishing streams.
The largest recreation area of the Pisgah National Forest within the study region is the Linville
Gorge area. A 12,000-acre designated wilderness area, Linville Gorge has an information center
and offers opportunities for primitive camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, and camping.
There are 11 designated climbing areas and 17 hiking trails covering more than 20 miles.
Primitive camping, hunting, and fishing, are allowed by permit only.
Also within the study region is the Brown Mountain OHV Area. This area offers 12 trails
covering 34 miles with difficulty ranging from easy to strenuous. All trails allow mountain and
motor bikes, nine trails allow ATVs, and two trails allow 4-wheel drive vehicles. Three of the
areas, Table Rock, Barkhouse, and Mulberry, are picnic areas. Table Rock is a picnic area with
scenic views of the Linville Gorge, an interpretive trail, and access to other hiking trails.
Barkhouse is strictly a picnic area, while Mulberry also has fishing access. The eastern edge of
the Pisgah National Forest also borders a section of Lake James although there are no
specifically designated recreation sites that provide access to the reservoir through the forest.
4.1.3 Sumter National Forest
The Sumter National Forest is a 360,115-acre national forest located in northwestern South
Carolina in Oconee, Laurens, Union, Newberry, Chester, Fairfield, Abbeville, Greenwood,
McCormick, Saluda, and Edgefield counties (USFS, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
website). Operated by the USFS, the majority of the Sumter is located outside of the study
region, with the exception of the Enoree District of the forest. Within the Enoree District, the
forest provides opportunities for fishing, camping, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback
riding, OHV use, hunting and picnicking.
Specifically, there are six main recreation sites of the Enoree District within the study region.
Two of these sites, Woods Ferry and Brick House, provide facilities for family and group
camping. The Woods Ferry recreation site has 28 campsites including two group camping areas
and the Brick House campground has 23 campsites for tent/trailer camping. Both campgrounds
have picnic areas available, access to hiking and horse trails, and access to fishing streams. The
Enoree District also has nine primitive, seasonal camping areas available by permit only.
Johns Creek Lake and Pittman Lake are two recreation sites that provide fishing access to small
lakes within the forest. Non-motorized boating is allowed on Pittman Lake and both sites
provide access to nearby hiking trails. Molly's Rock picnic area also provides fishing access to a
small pond and has an interpretive hiking trail. The Broad River runs 32 miles through the
Enoree District and five access points to the river constitute the sixth recreation site. The river is
used primarily by canoeists, but small boats with motors are allowed on certain sections.
Primitive camping is allowed along the river by permit only.
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The Enoree District also has six major trails. Table 71 below summarizes these six trails.
Table 71: Trail Summa for the Enoree District of Sumter National Forest
Trail Name Length Uses
Buncombe Horse Trail 31.5 miles Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking
Enoree OHV Trail 14.4 miles OHV use, hiking, mountain biking
Enoree River Canoe Trail 36 miles Canoeing, flat-bottomed boats less than 14 feet
long
Jew's Harp Spring Hiking
Trail 0.7 miles Hiking
Tyger River Canoe Trail 24 miles Canoeing, flat-bottomed boats less than 14 feet
long
Wood's Ferry Horse Trail 9 miles Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking
4.1.4 Sand Hills State Forest
The Sand Hills State Forest is a 46,000-acre state forest located in Chesterfield and Darlington
counties, South Carolina (South Carolina Forestry Commission, Sand Hills State Forest website).
The forest is managed by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Open year-round, the forest
provides opportunities for bird watching, camping, primitive camping, hiking, off-road bicycling
(with a permit), horseback riding (with a permit), hunting (seasons and limits may be different
from those statewide), and fishing with a valid South Carolina fishing license. Sugar Loaf
Mountain is maintained at the Sand Hills State Forest as a family recreational area and includes
picnic shelters, a fishing lake, and a nature trail.
4.1.5 Educational State Forests
The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources operates the educational state forest program as
a teaching program for the public. There are six educational forests in the system, four of which
are within the study region: Jordan Lake Educational State Forest, Tuttle Educational State
Forest, Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest, and Mountain Island Educational State
Forest (NCDENR, Division of Forest Resources website). Two of these educational state forests
are directly adjacent to reservoirs and are discussed under the appropriate reservoir (Jordan Lake
in Section 3.5.4 and Mountain Island Lake in Section 3.4.6). The remaining two are discussed in
this section.
4.1.5.1 Tuttle Educational State Forest
Operated by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, the Tuttle Educational State Forest
offers opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and educational programs. The educational forest is
located Caldwell County, North Carolina.
The forest offers a large picnic area with picnic tables and grills and a shelter is available for
large groups through reservation only (NCDENR, Division of Forest Resources website). The
forest has several trails for hiking and viewing interpretive exhibits. The trails include a Talking
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Tree trail and a Forest Demonstration trail. The forest also offers an amphitheater for
educational programs and an educational cabin for various exhibits.
4.1.5.2 Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest
Operated by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, the Rendezvous Mountain
Educational State Forest offers opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and educational programs.
The educational forest is located in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
The forest offers a large picnic area with picnic tables and grills and a shelter is available for
large groups through reservation only (NCDENR, Division of Forest Resources website). The
forest has approximately five trails for hiking and viewing interpretive exhibits. The trails
include a Talking Tree trail, a Forest Demonstration trail, and a Logging History Demonstration
trail. The forest also offers an amphitheater for educational programs and an educational cabin
for various exhibits.
4.2 State Parks and State Recreation Areas
A total of 16 state parks (SP) and state recreation areas (SRA) have been identified within the
study region. Two of these parks are in Virginia, one is in South Carolina, and the remaining 13
are in North Carolina. Parks and state recreation areas adjacent to or providing direct access to
reservoirs are inventoried with the corresponding reservoir and the remaining seven parks are
discussed in this section.
Table 72: State Parks and State Recreation Areas Inventoried in the Regional Recreation Evaluation
Park Name State County Associated Reservoir/Section
Morrow Mountain SP North Carolina Stanl Lake Tillery/Section 3. 1.1
Lake James SP North Carolina McDowell Lake James/Section 3.4.1
Lake Norman SP North Carolina Iredell Lake Norman/Section 3.4.5
Lake Wateree SRA South Carolina Fairfield Lake Wateree/Section 3.4. 10
Kerr Lake SRA North Carolina Vance, Warren John H. Kerr Reservoir/Section 3.5.2
Occoneechee SP Virginia Mecklenburg John H. Kerr Reservoir/Section 3.5.2
Staunton River SP Virginia Halifax John H. Kerr Reservoir/Section 3.5.2
Falls Lake SRA North Carolina Durham, Wake Falls Lake/Section 3.5.3
Jordan Lake SRA North Carolina Chatham B. Everett Jordan Lake/Section 3.5.4
South Mountains SP North Carolina Burke Section 4.2.1
Crowders Mountain SP North Carolina Gaston Section 4.2.2
Pilot Mountain SP North Carolina Surry Section 4.2.3
Hanging Rock SP North Carolina Stokes Section 4.2.4
Eno River SP North Carolina Orange Section 4.2.5
Raven Rock SP North Carolina Harnett Section 4.2.6
William B. Umstead SP North Carolina Wake Section 4.2.7
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4.2.1 South Mountains State Park
South Mountains State Park4 is a 16,664-acre state park located south of Morganton in Burke
County, North Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Open year-
round, the park provides opportunities for fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, biking, and
picnicking. Fishing is allowed throughout the year on the park's many miles of streams. A
special trout license is required to fish in the park's streams.
The park has approximately 40 miles of trails that are used for hiking, mountain biking, and
horseback riding. All 40 miles of trails allow hiking while 30 miles are available for bridle and
14 miles are available for mountain biking.
Table 73: Trail Summa for South Mountains State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Benn Knob Trail NA 3.0
Chestnut Knob Trail NA 2.1
Dogwood Trail NA 2.6
Fox Trail NA 3.6
H.Q. Trail NA 4.3
Hemlock Nature Trail NA 0.3
High Shoals Falls Loop NA 1.2
Horseridge Trail NA 3.3
Jacob Branch Trail NA 1.1
Jacob Fork River Trail NA 0.5
Little River Trail NA 2.0
Lower CCC Trail/Road NA 2.5
Possum Trail NA 1.5
Raven Rock Trail NA 1.9
Sawtooth Trail NA 2.5
Shinny Trail NA 2.2
Short Trail NA 0.7
Turkey Ridge Trail NA 1.7
Upper CCC Trail/Road NA 1.6
Upper Falls Trail NA 1.8
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
The park offers opportunities for family camping, group camping, backpack camping, and
equestrian camping. There are eight group campsites with picnic tables and fire circles at each
site. Twenty backpacking campsites are located in six different sections of the park. There is
also an equestrian campground that has 15 campsites with a 37-stall barn.
The park offers two picnic areas and one picnic shelter. One picnic area has 10 tables, two grills,
and a fireplace and the other area has four tables and three grills.
4 Note: South Mountains State Park is currently closed due to damage from the remnants of Hurricane Frances. No
reopening date has been established.
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4.2.2 Crowders Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain State Park is located southwest of Gastonia in Gaston County, North
Carolina. Open year-round, the park provides opportunities for canoeing, fishing, camping,
hiking, rock climbing, and picnicking (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website).
Fishing is permitted with a valid North Carolina fishing license from either the shoreline or via
rented canoe on a nine-acre man-made lake. Rock climbing is allowed in specified areas only
and climbers must obtain a permit.
Crowders Mountain offers 10 trails specifically designated for hiking that cover 12 miles
throughout the park.
Table 74: Trail Summary for Crowders Mountain State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Backside Trail Strenuous 0.9
Camping Trail (Group) Moderate 0.4
Camping Trail (Family) Moderate 0.2
Crowders Trail Strenuous 2.5
Fern Trail Easy 1.0
Lake Trail Easy 0.8
Pinnacle Trail Strenuous 1.7
Rockto Trail Strenuous 1.5
Tower Trail Strenuous 2.0
Turnback Trail Moderate 0.9
The park offers opportunities for backcountry family camping and group camping. The family
campground campsites offer a tent pad and grill. There are six group campsites that can
accommodate up to 15 people each.
The park has a large picnic area and two picnic shelters available for group use. The picnic area
has 28 tables and eight grills.
4.2.3 Pilot Mountain State Park
Pilot Mountain State Park is a 3,703-acre state park located northwest of Winston-Salem in Surry
County, North Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Open year-
round, the park provides opportunities for canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and
picnicking. The park is divided into two separate sections: a mountain section and river section.
The river section is located on the Yadkin River and offers opportunities for bank fishing and
canoeing. Fishing is permitted throughout the park with a valid North Carolina fishing license.
The river section of the park provides a canoe launch and is part of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River
Canoe Trail (see Section 4.10.2).
Pilot Mountain has approximately 24 miles of trails throughout the park. The park has 11 trails
specifically designated for hiking that cover nearly 14 miles, while two trails totaling 10.5 miles
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are available for both horseback riding and hiking. A 5.5-mile corridor trail connects the two
sections of the park.
Table 75: Trail Summary for Pilot Mountain State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Canal Easy 0.5
Corridor (bridle/hiking) Moderate to Strenuous 5.5
Grass Ridge Moderate 1.5
Grindstone Moderate to Strenuous 2.0
Horne Creek Moderate 1.0
Jomeokee Moderate 0.8
Ledge Spring Strenuous 2.0
Little Pinnacle Overlook Easy 0.1
Mountain Trail Strenuous 2.5
Sassafras Moderate 0.5
Yadkin River Moderate 1.2
Yadkin Islands (bridle/hikin) Moderate 5.0
Iv Bluff Moderate 1.3
The park offers opportunities for family camping, group camping, and canoe camping. The
family campground has 49 campsites for tents and trailers. There is group camping area for
youth groups that includes picnic tables and a fire circle. There are two wilderness campsites
available along the river for canoeists.
Rock climbing is available in the park by permit only. Climbing is allowed in specified areas
only within the mountain section of the park.
The park has three picnic areas available for day use: one in the mountain section and two in the
river section. Each picnic area has picnic tables and grills available. The mountain section also
has a large picnic shelter suitable for up to 35 people.
4.2.4 Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park is a 6,921-acre state park located north of Winston-Salem in Stokes
County, North Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Open year-
round, the park provides opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, rock climbing,
swimming, and picnicking. A small lake offers opportunities for bank fishing, rowing, and
canoeing. Private boats are not allowed, but rowboat and canoe rentals are available during the
summer.
Hanging Rock has 12 trails that offer more than 20 miles of hiking throughout the park.
Table 76: Trail Summary for Han in Rock State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Chestnut Oak Nature Trail Easy 0.7
Cooks Wall Trail Moderate 2.2
Hanging Rock Trail Moderate 1.2
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Indian Creek Trail Moderate 3.7
Hidden Falls Easy 0.4
Window Falls Moderate 0.6
Lower Cascades trail Easy 0.3
Moore's Wall Loop Trail Strenuous 4.2
Sauratown Loop Trail Moderate 4
Tory's Den Trail Moderate 4.2
Upper Cascades trail Easy 0.2
Wolf Rock Loop Trail Moderate 1.9
The park offers opportunities for family camping, group camping, and vacation cabins. The
family campground has 73 campsites for tents and trailers. There are eight group campsites with
picnic tables and fire circles at each site. The park also houses six family vacation cabins.
Rock climbing is available in the park by permit only. There are two designated climbing areas:
Cook's Wall and Moore's Wall. Combined, the climbing areas have cliffs up to 400 feet high
and extend for almost two miles.
The park offers two large picnic areas. Each picnic area has 60 tables, 15 grills and group
shelters. The visitor center houses an exhibit hall with interactive displays.
4.2.5 Eno River State Park
Eno River State Park is a 2,600-acre state park located northwest of Durham in Orange County,
North Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Created along the Eno
River, the park provides opportunities for camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and picnicking.
The park has five different access sites: Cabe Lands, Cole Mill, Few's Ford, Pleasant Green, and
Pump Station. Bank fishing is allowed throughout the park with a valid North Carolina fishing
license. The park provides three access points for canoeists.
Eno River State Park has 15 hiking trails throughout the park covering approximately 20 miles.
Table 77: Trail Summary for Eno River State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Bobbitt's Hole Moderate 1.65
Buckquarter Creek Moderate 1.5
Cabe Lands Moderate 1.2
Cole Mill Moderate 1.2
Cox Mountain Strenuous 3.75
Dunnagan's Moderate 1.8
Eno Trace Easy 0.5
Fanny's Ford Easy 1.01
Knight Moderate 0.34
Holden's Mill Moderate 2.6
Pea Creek Moderate 1.3
Piedmont Easy 0.18
Pump Station Moderate 1.5
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Ridge Strenuous 1.27
Shakori Strenuous 1.04
The park offers opportunities for family camping, group camping, and primitive camping. The
family campground has five tent sites, the group camp accommodates up to 26 people, and
primitive backpack camping sites are also available within the park.
The park has two picnic areas: one in the Few's Ford section and one in the Cole Mill section.
The Few's Ford picnic area offers 20 tables in addition to 12-table shelter. The Cole Mill picnic
area offers 10 tables and four grills with a group area containing three tables. The Cole Mill
picnic area also has a picnic shelter with eight tables and a grill.
4.2.6 Raven Rock State Park
Raven Rock is a 4,667-acre state park located southwest of Raleigh in Harnett County, North
Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Open year-round, the park
provides opportunities for canoeing, horseback riding, camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
Created along the Cape Fear River, fishing is allowed throughout the park with a valid North
Carolina fishing license. Although no canoe access points are located within the park, one is
located along the 56-mile Cape Fear River Trail.
Raven Rock has approximately 19 miles of trails throughout the park. Eight trails covering 12
miles are specifically designated for hiking, while two 3.5-mile loop trails are available for
horseback riding.
Table 78: Trail Summary for Raven Rock State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
American Beech Trail Easy 0.5
Campbell Creek Loop Moderate 5.0
East Loop Horse Trail Easy 3.5
Fish Traps Trail Easy 0.6
Group Cam Trail Easy 0.4
Lanier Falls Trail Easy 0.2
Northington Ferry Trail Easy 0.9
Little Creek Loop Easy 1.5
Raven Rock Loop Easy 2.6
West Loo Horse Trail Easy 3.5
The park offers opportunities for family camping, group camping, canoe camping, and backpack
camping. The family campground has five tent sites; the group camp accommodates up to 20
people per campsite, and the park offers six campsites for canoeists along the river. Primitive
backpack camping sites are also available within the park.
The park has one large picnicking area on the south side of the river and a smaller area on the
north side. The large picnic area offers 27 tables and eight grills with a restroom and a
refreshment stand nearby.
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4.2.7 William B. Umstead State Park
William B. Umstead is a 5,439-acre state park located west of Raleigh in Wake County, North
Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). Open year-round, the park
provides opportunities for boating, horseback riding, camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking and
biking. The park has three man-made lakes (Big Lake, Sycamore Lake, and Reedy Creek Lake)
covering a total area of 105 acres. Fishing is allowed on all three lakes and their connecting
streams although private boats are not permitted. Rowboat and canoe rentals are available on
Big Lake throughout the summer.
William B. Umstead has nearly 30 miles of trails interconnecting throughout the park. Eight
trails covering 20 miles are specifically designated for hiking, while an 11.5 mile trail is
designated for horseback and mountain biking.
Table 79: Trail Summary for William B. Umstead State Park
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Bridle and Bike Trail Moderate 11.5
Campground Spur Easy 0.4
Company Trail Moderate 5.8
Inspiration Trail Easy 0.5
Loblolly Trail Moderate 2.7
Oak Rock Trail Easy 0.6
Pott's Branch Trail Easy 1.25
Sal's Branch Trail Moderate 2.75
Sycamore Trail Moderate 6.6
The park offers one family campground, two primitive campgrounds, and three group camps.
The family campground offers 28 campsites for tents and trailers. The primitive campgrounds
are open year round for the use of groups and nonprofit organizations. The group camps are
open April through October and accommodate between 27 and 120 people.
The park has three large picnic shelters with other picnic tables and grills scattered throughout.
William B. Umstead also has an exhibit hall in the visitor center with interactive displays.
4.3 Boones Cave Park
Boones Cave Park is a 110-acre park is located in Davidson County, North Carolina. Previously
part of the North Carolina Parks System, the park was transferred to Davidson County in March
2003 (Davidson County Department of Parks and Recreation, Boones Cave Park website).
Boones Cave Park is an important cultural and natural resource of Davidson County. Many
believe this to be the site of the Daniel Boone family homestead and the park has a small cave
facing the Yadkin River.
Open year-round, the park has never been intensely developed. It is strictly a day-use facility
that provides limited recreation opportunities with a half mile nature trail, a picnic shelter, and a
few picnic tables.
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4.4 Dan Nicholas Park
Dan Nicholas Park, located in Rowan County, is managed by Rowan County Parks and
Recreation. The park consists of approximately 435 acres of public land (Rowan County, Dan
Nicholas Park website). The park's facilities include bank fishing on a 10-acre lake and three
trails, including a two-mile trail and a'/4-mile guided nature trail. Additionally, the park
provides sports recreational opportunities including tennis courts, miniature golf, softball fields,
volleyball courts, paddleboats, and a playground.
The park has a family campground with 75 campsites, 50 of which have electrical and water
hook-ups. A small store provides camping supplies such as firewood and ice. Group camping is
allowed in a separate area of the park. In addition to camping, the park has nine picnic shelters,
including one large shelter that seats up to 500 people.
4.5 Wildlife Refuges and Nature Preserves
4.5.1 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve is an 898-acre state preserve located southeast of
Southern Pines in Moore County, North Carolina (NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation
website). Open year-round, the park provides opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and
wildlife observation.
Weymouth Woods has nearly five miles of hiking trails interconnecting throughout the park. The
preserve also has a large loop trail available for horseback riding.
Table 80: Trail Summary for We mouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Trail Name Difficulty Distance miles
Holly Road Trail Easy 1.8
Gum Swamp Trail Easy 0.5
Pine Barrens Trail Easy 1.0
Bower's Bo Trail Easy 0.3
Lighter Stump Trail Easy 0.5
Pine Island Trail Easy 0.5
The park also offers interpretive programs on the significance of Weymouth Woods' longleaf
pine forest. In addition, the visitor's center houses an exhibit hall and an auditorium for special
programs.
4.5.2 Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
The Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge is an 8,443-acre national wildlife refuge located north of
Wadesboro in Anson and Richmond counties, North Carolina (UFWS, Pee Dee National
Wildlife Refuge website). Open year-round, the refuge provides opportunities for wildlife
observation, fishing (May 15-October 15 with a valid North Carolina fishing license), hiking,
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hunting (by permit only during specific season), an interpretive wildlife drive, and interpretive
and educational programs
The Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge has a three-mile nature trail, a three-mile auto tour with
interpretive kiosks, a'/4-mile handicapped-accessible nature trail, and two wildlife observation
blinds (GORP, Parks website).
4.6 Fishing Access Areas
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission maintains fishing access areas throughout
the state. Fishing access areas are managed and operated in two different approaches: Public
Fishing Access Areas and Community Fishing Programs (NCWRC, Fishing website).
Public Fishing Access Areas provide free fishing opportunities at lakes, rivers, streams, and
reservoirs. To accommodate fishing, these sites provide facilities such as cleared shorelines,
fishing piers, parking lots, and/or fish attractors.
Community Fishing Program Areas are primarily located in city or county-owned parks to
provide fishing opportunities in developed areas. To accommodate fishing, these areas are
intensively managed and offer facilities such as fishing piers, fish feeders, and stocked fish.
Within the study region, there are 26 Community Fishing Program Areas and 19 Public Fishing
Access Areas. Most of the Public Fishing Access Areas are located on large reservoirs and are
further discussed in Sections 2.0 and 3.0. Table 81 summarizes each of the NCWRC-managed
fishing areas in the study region.
Table 81: Summary of NCWRC-Managed Fishing Access Areas within the Study Region
Body of Water County Number
o Sites Type of Access
Hamlet City Lake Richmond 1 Community Fishing Program
Indian Camp Lake Richmond 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Blewett Falls Lake Anson 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Lake Tillery Montgomery 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Lake Luke Marion Moore 1 Community Fishing Program
San Lee Park Pond Lee 1 Community Fishing Program
Rock Creek Alamance 1 Community Fishing Program
Lake Michael Alamance 1 Community Fishing Program
Rabbit Shuffle Pond Caswell 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Anderson Community Park
Pond Orange 1 Community Fishing Program
Lake Michael Orange 1 Community Fishing Program
Crowders Mountain State
Park Lake Gaston 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Lake Hickory Alexander 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Lake James Tailrace Burke 1 Public Fishing Access Area
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Falls of the Neuse Reservoir Wake 3 Public Fishing Access Area
Apex Community Park Lake Wake 1 Community Fishing Program
Fred G. Bond Metro Park
Lake Wake 1 Community Fishing Program
Harris County Park Pond Wake 1 Community Fishing Program
Shelley Lake Wake 1 Community Fishing Program
Simpkins Pond Wake 1 Community Fishing Program
Lake Crabtree Wake 1 Community Fishing Program
B. Everett Jordan Lake Chatham 3 Public Fishing Access Area
Frank Liske Park Lake Cabarrus 1 Community Fishing Program
Badin Lake (Narrows
Reservoir) Montgomery/
Stanl 3 Public Fishing Access Area
Tuckertown Reservoir Rowan 1 Public Fishing Access Area
Hagan-Stone Park Lake Guilford 1 Community Fishing Program
Oka T. Hester Park Lake Guilford 1 Community Fishing Program
South Buffalo Creek Guilford 1 Community Fishing Program
Bur-Mil Pond Guilford 1 Community Fishing Program
Duck Pond Mecklenburg 1 Community Fishing Program
McAlpine Creek Mecklenburg 1 Community Fishing Program
Park Road Park Lake Mecklenburg 1 Community Fishing Program
Reedy Creek Park Lake Mecklenburg 1 Community Fishing Program
Winston Pond Forsyth 1 Community Fishing Program
C. G. Hill Memorial Lake Forsyth 1 Community Fishing Program
Kernersville Lake Forsyth 1 Community Fishing Program
Big Elkin Creek Forsyth 1 Community Fishing Program
John H. Kerr Reservoir Vance 2 Public Fishing Access Area
4.7 Boating Access Areas
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission maintains boating access areas throughout
North Carolina. All boating access areas have boat launch ramps for access to major bodies of
water (NCWRC, Boating/Waterways website). Within the study region, there are 55 public
boating access areas on 23 different bodies of water.
Most of the public boating access areas are located on large reservoirs and are further discussed
in Sections 2.0 and 3.0. Table 82 summarizes each of the NCWRC-managed boating areas in the
study region.
Table 82: Summa of NCWRC-Managed Boating Access Areas within the Stud Region
Site Name Body o Water County
Black Bear Lake James McDowell
Linville River Lake James Burke
John's River Lake Rhodhiss Burke
Rhodhiss Lake Rhodhiss Burke
Castle Bridge Lake Rhodhiss Caldwell
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Conley Creek Lake Rhodhiss Caldwell
Dusty Ridge Lake Hickory Alexander
Whittenburg Lake Hickory Alexander
Gunpowder Lake Hickory Caldwell
Lovelad Lake Hickory Caldwell
Oxford Lake Hickory Catawba
Lookout Shoals Lookout Shoals Lake Catawba
Sharon Lookout Shoals Lake Iredell
Long Island Lake Norman Catawba
Pinnacle Lake Norman Iredell
McCrary Creek Lake Norman Iredell
Hager Creek Lake Norman Iredell
Little Creek Lake Norman Lincoln
Beatties Ford Lake Norman Lincoln
Davidson Creek Mountain Island Lake Gaston
Neck Road Mountain Island Lake Mecklenburg
South Point Lake Wylie Gaston
Milton Dan River Caswell
Leaksville Dan River Rockingham
Dutch Second High Rock Reservoir Rowan
Bringles Ferry Tuckertown Reservoir Davidson
Flat Creek Tuckertown Reservoir Rowan
Circle Drive Narrows Reservoir Montgomery
Lakemont Narrows Reservoir Montgomery
Lilly's Bridge Lake Tillery Montgomery
Swift Island Lake Tillery Montgomery
Norwood Lake Tillery Stanly
Stony Mountain Lake Tillery Stanly
Troy Little River Montgomery
Red Hill Pee Dee River Anson
Blewett's Grave Pee Dee River Richmond
Rockingham Pee Dee River Richmond
Pee Dee Blewett Falls Lake Anson
Grassy Island Blewett Falls Lake Richmond
Carbonton Deep River Moore
Ramseur Deep River Randolph
Triple Springs Mayo Reservoir Person
Farrington Point B.E. Jordan Lake Chatham
Avent's Ferry Bridge Cape Fear River Chatham
Dam Site Harris Lake Chatham
Holleman's Crossing Harris Lake Wake
Eno River Falls Lake Durham
Hickory Hill Falls Lake Durham
Ledge Rock Falls Lake Wake
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Upper Barton Creek Falls Lake Wake
Flemingtown Landing John H. Kerr Reservoir Vance
Henderson Point John H. Kerr Reservoir Vance
Hibernia John H. Kerr Reservoir Vance
County Line John H. Kerr Reservoir Warren
Lillington Cape Fear River Harnett
4.8 Whitewater Boating
Whitewater boating opportunities within the study region are limited, in part, due to the
physiographic regions of the study region. Since the study region encompasses some parts of the
Fall Line and mountainous region of North Carolina, whitewater areas for canoeing and
kayaking do exist. Although whitewater boating is not specifically associated with reservoir
recreation sites, whitewater boating areas are found in the study region and some are in the
vicinity of reservoirs discussed in this study.
According to the American Whitewater website, unverified rapids exist in the vicinity of the
Yadkin Project. Parts of the Yadkin River below the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and above High
Rock Reservoir near Lexington are listed to have unverified class I-II rapids (American
Whitewater, River Tools website). The Uwharrie River above Morrow Mountain State Park is
also listed as having similar unverified rapids.
In the eastern part of the study region, whitewater boating areas can be found north and east of
Durham on the Eno (verified class I-III rapids), Little (unverified class I-IV rapids), and Flat
(unverified class I-III rapids) rivers (American Whitewater, River Tools website). The Haw
River just above B. Everett Jordan Lake has verified class II-III whitewater rapids.
In the western part of the study region, Wilson Creek located in the Pisgah National Forest in the
vicinity of Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss has verified whitewater with class III-V rapids
(American Whitewater, River Tools website). Also, whitewater areas can be found on the
Catawba River above Lake James (unverified class I-II rapids) and Henry Fork (unverified class
I-III rapids) near Lake Rhodhiss.
4.9 Game Lands
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission manages its Game Land Program to provide
tracts of land for hunters, trappers, and fishermen (NCWRC, Hunting/Trapping website). The
game lands in the program are generally large tracts of private lands made available for hunting
and trapping.
NCWRC identifies four types of game lands: dove, 3-day, 6-day, and special permit. Dove lands
are lands on which only dove hunting is allowed. Three-day game lands are game lands open to
hunting for all game species (with a few exceptions) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Six-day game lands are those available six days a week (Sunday excluded) for hunting of all
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game species (with a few exceptions). Special permit lands are game lands on which a special
permit is required.
There are 17 game lands areas covering more than 280,000 acres within the study region. Many
of these areas are near or directly adjacent to some of the reservoirs discussed in Sections 2.0 and
3.0. Table 83 summarizes each of the NCWRC-managed game lands in the study region.
Table 83: Summary of NCWRC-Managed Game Lands within the Study Region
Area Name T e County Number o Acres
South Mountains 6-day Burke, Rutherford, 20,697
Cleveland
Catawba* 3-day Catawba 1,189
Perkins 3-day Davie 960
Linwood* 6-day Davidson 126
Alcoa* 6-day Davie, Rowan, Davidson, 8,372
Montgomery, Stanl
Lee 6-day Lee 2,421
Pee Dee River* 6-day Anson, Montgomery, 6,829
Richmond, Stanl
Uwharrie* 6-day Davidson, Montgomery, 50,189
Randolph
Sandhills 3-day Hoke, Moore, Richmond, 59,498
Scotland
Jordan* 6-day Chatham, Durham, Orange, 41,213
Wake
Shearon Hams* 6-day Chatham, Harnett, Wake 13,227
Chatham* 6-day Chatham 2,794
Butner-Falls 6-day Durham, Granville, Wake 43,959
Caswell 3-day Caswell 16,704
Hyco* 6-day Person 4,229
Mayo 6-day Person 6,831
Vance* 6-day Vance 841
* Denotes game land is adjacent to a reservoir discussed in Section 2.0 or 3.0.
4.10 Trail Systems
4.10.1 Mountains-to-Sea Trail
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) is a 900-mile trail crossing North Carolina from Clingman's
Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks
(NCDENR, Division of Parks and Recreation website). The trail passes through the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park, three national forests, numerous state parks and state recreation
areas, and 36 different counties. Although the trail has not been completed, several sections
within the study region have been completed. Specifically, two segments near Greensboro and
Falls Lake are currently open for hiking (Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail website). The
Greensboro segment spans 20 miles from Bur-Mil Park to Bryan Park and is rated as strenuous.
The Falls Lake segment is divided into two sections of 7 and 13 miles, respectively, and is rated
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as moderate to strenuous. Although there are only two major sections of the trail within the
study region that are open, the footbeds and planned routes for the entire trail have been
designated and construction is ongoing. Currently 400 miles of the trail are open, although most
of the open segments are located in the mountain and coastal regions of the state.
4.10.2 Yadkin-Pee Dee River Canoe Trail
The Yadkin-Pee Dee River Canoe Trail is a 230-mile river trail on the Yadkin and Pee Dee
Rivers from Wilkesboro, North Carolina to the South Carolina border. The 230-mile trail has 41
access points and passes through six reservoirs within the study region (Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes
Project, 1999). The trail passes through High Rock Reservoir, Tuckertown Reservoir, Narrows
Reservoir, Falls Reservoir, Lake Tillery, and Blewett Falls Lake as well as free-flowing sections
of the Yadkin and Pee Dee Rivers. At each impoundment, there is a portage trail.
4.10.3 Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic highway in the Appalachian Mountains from
Shenandoah National Park in northwestern Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park in western North Carolina (National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway website). Stops
along the Parkway provide opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife and
scenic observation. The Parkway is also a popular route for cyclists. More than 100 miles of the
Parkway fall within the northwestern section of the study region from southwestern Virginia into
western North Carolina and through the Pisgah National Forest.
5.0 Yadkin Area Plans and Future Opportunities
5.1 Davie County
Davie County maintains that it is not connected to High Rock Reservoir and therefore does not
have any future plans for recreational sites or facilities on or around the reservoir.
5.2 Rowan County
According to Jim Foltz, Director of Parks and Recreation with Rowan County, Rowan County
would like to expand the Eagle Point Nature Preserve although it currently does not have specific
plans. Similarly, Rowan County has been talking with two shoreline landowners about acquiring
land near Persimmon Branch for a future park/recreation area. He also believes that there should
be more access sites to Yadkin reservoirs because it is difficult to find a place to fish.
Specifically, he feels that Rowan County does not have enough recreation sites to access the
reservoirs.
Ed Muire, Planning Manager for Rowan County, also stated that Rowan County would like to
expand Eagle Point Nature Preserve, although there have been no specific discussions or plans
about adding new recreation sites. Mr. Muire believes that Rowan County does not have enough
reservoir access sites, especially swimming areas.
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Carl Doby, a Zoning Officer with Rowan County, stated that Rowan County is currently
developing a land use plan but it will not include plans for adding new recreational sites. He
believes that the region needs more public camping facilities and more boat ramps to access the
reservoirs.
5.3 Davidson County
As discussed in Section 2.1.3, the Davidson County Tourism and Recreation Master Plan
(Master Plan) is in the early stages of development and is scheduled to be completed by June
2005. According to Paul Kron, Regional Planning Director for the Piedmont Triad Council of
Governments, ideas for promoting tourism and recreation in Davidson County include a park at
High Rock Lake or the Yadkin River, lodging and restaurants on High Rock Reservoir, and
connecting Booties Cave Park (discussed in Section 4.3) to other recreation sites in Davidson
County. Both Mr. Kron and Jo Ellen Edwards with the Tourism Development Partnership of
Davidson County stated that High Rock Reservoir has "limited public access" on the Davidson
County side.
According to Charles Parnell, Director of Parks and Recreation for Davidson County, Davidson
County will probably wait until the Master Plan is complete before making any plans for
recreational opportunities.
5.4 Stanly County
According to Melissa Blaylock, Executive Director of the Stanly County Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Stanly County does not have plans to add new recreational sites. She believes
that some of the needs in the area include more lodging facilities and a marina. Michael Sandy,
Planning Director with Stanly County, also stated that Stanly County had no current plans for
adding recreation sites in the future. He believes, however that the area needs more access to
Yadkin reservoirs, specifically more fishing access sites.
5.5 Montgomery County
Judy Stevens, the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development
Corporation, stated that Montgomery County has no current plans for adding new recreational
facilities. She believes that the area needs more public access for canoes, more overnight
accommodations, and more restaurants to support recreational tourists who come to the area.
She also stated that winter drawdown of Yadkin reservoirs is a problem because recreational
sites become unusable.
6.0 Comparison of Yadkin Project Recreation Resources with Other
Regional Resources
Within the study region, there are 182 recreation sites along 23 different reservoirs. Table 84
below provides a summary of the larger reservoirs within the study region and their recreational
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opportunities. For each reservoir in Table 84, all public recreation sites are counted in the total
number of recreation sites, including local, state, and federal parks and state recreation areas.
Table 84: Summary of Recreational Opportunities at Reservoirs within the Study Region
Reservoir Surface Shore- Recreation Boat Fishing Swim Camp-
Name
Areas line
Sites
Ramps
Piers
Beaches
grounds
Miles
High Rock 15
180 360 10 11 0 2 0
Reservoir ,
Tuckertown 2,560 75 11 7 0 0 0
Reservoir
Narrows
ReservoirZ
5,355
115
17
10
2
1
3
Falls
Z
204
6
3
2
0
0
0
Reservoir
Lake Tillery 5,700 118 6 9 2 0 1
Blewett Falls

Lake 2,900 46.9 4 4 1 0 0
Harris Lake 4,150 40 3 3 1 0 1
H co Lake 3,750 160 1 4 1+ 1 1
Lake James 6,500 151.1 6 13 2 1 1
Lake Rhodhiss 3,000 103.9 5 11 0 0 0
Lake Hickory 3,900 110.6 9 17 4 0 0
Lookout Shoals 1
200 36.3 2 3 0 0 0
Lake ,
Lake Norman 32,000 591.6 15 31 2 3 2
Mountain 2
900 86.5 5 6 3 1 0
Island Lake 1
Lake Wylie 12,100 327.51 13 25 4 2 1
Fishing Creek

Lake 3,200 67.1 2 2 0 0 0
Great Falls and
Rocky Creek 1,020 37 2 2 0 0 0
lakes
Lake Wateree 13,864 213.1 10 20 1 0 1
W. Kerr Scott 1,500 55 12 7 3 5 3
John H. Kerr 48
900 800 22 27 3 7 16
Reservoir ,
Falls Lake 12,400 175 13 8 1 4 4
B. Everett 14
000 200 11 22 0 6 5
Jordan Lake ,
Average 8,534.04 174.03 7.91 10.61 1.30 1.43 1.70
' Commercial recreation sites provide additional opportunities that are not summarized in this table. Additional
information on commercial recreation sites on Yadkin Project reservoirs can be found in the Recreation Facility
Inventory and Condition Assessment Report.
2Includes sites in the Uwharrie National Forest directly adjacent to the reservoirs.
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Compared to other hydroelectric or power-related projects, the Yadkin Project provides similar
recreational opportunities. Specifically, the predominant type of recreation provided is boating
access. The four Yadkin Project reservoirs provide a total of 41 recreation sites and 30 boat
ramps. To a lesser extent, fishing piers, campgrounds, and swimming beaches are also available.
Similar distribution of recreation facilities can be found among all power-related reservoirs.
Federally-owned reservoirs, such as the four U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reservoirs,
generally provide more opportunities for camping and swimming than power-related reservoirs
(including the Yadkin Project reservoirs). The four USACE reservoirs provide a total of 22
swimming beaches and 28 campgrounds, whereas the 19 power-related reservoirs provide a total
of 11 swimming beaches and 11 campgrounds. As a whole, recreation sites at USACE
reservoirs tend to provide more comprehensive recreational opportunities than the power-related
reservoirs. Public recreation facilities at the 19 power-related reservoirs predominantly provide
day-use recreational facilities, whereas the USACE recreation sites provide more facilities that
enable extended stay recreational opportunities.
Among the seven reservoirs of the largest size, in surface area, (High Rock, Lake Norman, Lake
Wylie, Lake Wateree, John H. Kerr Reservoir, Falls Lake, and B. Everett Jordan Lake), the
recreation opportunities and experiences provided at each are generally similar. High Rock and
Lake Wateree have the fewest number of total public recreation sites with ten each, but High
Rock still provides all of the same recreation opportunities as the other large reservoirs in the
study region. Lake Wateree provides similar recreation opportunities but does not provide any
swimming beaches.
Because a large majority of all recreation sites are managed by governmental agencies, there is a
general uniformity among all recreation sites at reservoirs within the study region. Generally,
more than 75% of all recreation sites within the study region are managed by a governmental
agency (federal, state, or local).
Table 85: Percentage of Recreation Sites at Each Reservoir Managed by a Governmental Agency

Reservoir Percentage of Recreation Sites
Managed by a Governmental Agency Predominant
Governmental
Managing Authori
High Rock Reservoir 33% NCWRC
Tuckertown Reservoir 30% NCWRC
Narrows Reservoir' 56% USFS
Falls Reservoir' 50% USFS
Lake Tillery 100% NCWRC
Blewett Falls Lake 75% NCWRC
Harris Lake 100% NCWRC

H co Lake 100% Person-Caswell Lake
Authority
Lake James 100% NCWRC
Lake Rhodhiss 100% NCWRC
Lake Hickory 78% NCWRC
Lookout Shoals Lake 100% NCWRC
Lake Norman 79% NCWRC
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Mountain Island Lake 100% NCWRC
Lake Wylie 100% SCDNR
Fishing Creek Lake 100% SCDNR
Great Falls and Rocky
Creek lakes 100% SCDNR
Lake Wateree 100% SCDNR
W. Kerr Scott 100% USACE
John H. Kerr Reservoir2 100% USACE
Falls Lake' 100% NCDENR
B. Everett Jordan Lake4 100% NCDENR
' Includes sites in the Uwharrie National Forest directly adjacent to the reservoirs.
2 Includes sites in the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area.
' Includes sites in the Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
4 Includes sites in the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
To an extent, the similarities and differences among recreational opportunities at different
reservoirs depends on the predominant managing agency. Recreation sites managed by state
wildlife agencies such as the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), as well as sites managed
exclusively by APGI, tend to be highly similar in the opportunities they provide. USACE-
managed recreation sites (and State Recreation Areas on USACE-operated reservoirs) tend to
provide a greater volume of recreational facilities than the power-related reservoirs although the
types of facilities they provide are comparable.
Of the 23 reservoirs within the study region, nine reservoirs have been classified as "Natural,"
seven as "Limited Development," and seven as "Developed." Generally, there is an even
distribution of all three types of reservoir experiences within the study region. Similarly, there
is a fairly even dispersion of all three types of reservoirs throughout the study region.
Table 86: Summary of Experience Classifications for Reservoirs within the Study Region

Reservoir
Shoreline Miles Percentage of
Undeveloped
Shoreline
Experience
Classification
High Rock Reservoir 360 57% Developed
Tuckertown Reservoir 75 81% Limited Development
Narrows Reservoir 115 48% Developed
Falls Reservoir 6 94% Natural
Lake Tillery 118 38% Developed
Blewett Falls Lake 46.9 NA Natural
Harris Lake 40 90-95% Natural
Hyco Lake 160 NA Developed
Lake James 151.1 83% Limited Development
Lake Rhodhiss 103.9 96.5% Natural
Lake Hickory 110.6 45.1 Developed
Lookout Shoals Lake 36.3 71% Limited Development
Lake Norman 591.6 62% Developed
Mountain Island Lake 86.5 74% Limited Development
Lake Wylie 327.51 48% Developed
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Fishing Creek Lake 67.1 91.4% Natural
Great Falls and Rocky 37 77%
Natural
Creek Lakes
Lake Wateree 213.1 58% Limited Development
W. Kerr Scott 55 NA Limited Development
John H. Kerr 800 31% Limited Development
Reservoir
175 NA Natural
Falls Lake
B. Everett Jordan Lake 200 NA Natural
* NA - denotes information that was not available.
Although the distribution of all experience classifications is fairly even in terms of number of
reservoirs, when the size of each reservoir is compared (in terms of shoreline miles and surface
area) with the type of experience, disproportion becomes evident. The reservoirs with a
"Natural" experience classification average two to three times smaller than reservoirs
characterized as "Limited Development" and "Developed". Although there are nine reservoirs
characterized as "Natural" (compared to seven for both "Developed" and "Limited
Development") "Natural" reservoirs cover approximately 35,000 less acres than either
"Developed" or "Limited Development" reservoirs. These nine reservoirs also generally have
fewer access sites than most of the larger, more developed reservoirs. In general, the smaller
size of the "Natural" reservoirs and the limited access is likely the reason that these reservoirs
remain largely undeveloped. Of the seven largest reservoirs, five are classified as "Developed"
or "Limited Development". Only Falls and B. Everett Jordan lakes, located in the Raleigh-
Durham area, are classified as providing a "Natural" experience.
Table 87: Type of Shoreline Experience Compared with Number of Shoreline Miles and Surface Area
Total Number Avg. Number of Total Reservoir Avg.
Number of
of Shoreline
Shoreline Miles
Surface Area Surface
Type of Reservoirs Miles Per Reservoir (acres) Area Per
Experience Reservoir
Developed 7 1,782.7 254.7 77,985 11,140.7
Limited 7 1,417 202.4 77,424 11,060.6
Development
Natural 9 675.9 75.1 40,874 4,541.6
7.0 Conclusions
Within the study region as a whole, there are ample opportunities for reservoir and water-based
recreation. Generally, reservoir recreation sites provide shoreline fishing access and boat
launching facilities. A majority of these sites also provide picnicking opportunities. A few offer
fishing piers, swimming beaches, and campgrounds. Beyond these five major activities,
reservoir access sites not associated with large state or regional parks provide few other
recreational opportunities. Local, federal, and state-operated parks adjacent to reservoirs
generally cover a much larger area than a reservoir access area and therefore, tend to provide a
wider range of activities that are not all directly reservoir-related, including land-based activities.
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Generally, activities such as rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater boating are
available within the study region, but opportunities for these activities in conjunction specifically
with reservoir-based recreation are limited.
Compared to other hydroelectric or power-related projects, the Yadkin Project provides very
similar recreational opportunities. Like the other reservoirs in the region, opportunities at the
Yadkin Project reservoirs for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking are the most abundant.
Camping is also available at the Yadkin Project, with several large campgrounds associated with
the Uwharrie National Forest.
The availability of reservoir-based recreation opportunities within the region is dependent on the
number and type of recreation sites adjacent to the reservoirs. Several of the reservoirs within
the study region have state parks located along their shorelines, and these parks often provide a
wide array of recreational opportunities and facilities, many of which are for reservoir-based
recreation activities. Two of the Yadkin Project reservoirs, Narrows and Falls, are adjacent to a
national forest, a feature that most other reservoirs (with the exception of Lake Tillery, classified
as "Developed" and Lake James, classified as a "Limited Development") do not have. The
location of the Uwharrie National Forest adjacent to Narrows and Falls reservoirs and the fully
natural character of the shoreline in these areas is unique within central North Carolina.
Recreation users seeking a "Natural" reservoir experience, especially in central North Carolina,
have far fewer opportunities than recreation users who are unconcerned with a reservoir's overall
setting. Although Pisgah National Forest is adjacent to Lake James, this "Limited Development"
reservoir is located closer to the mountains of North Carolina. Parts of the Sumter National
Forest fall within the study region but the forest is not adjacent to any of the recreational
reservoirs in the region.
Another distinctive aspect of the recreational opportunities at the Yadkin Project reservoirs is
location. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs, Hyco Lake, and Harris Lake, tend to be
concentrated at the eastern and northern edges of the study region, while the Catawba-Wateree
reservoirs are concentrated at the western and southern edges. The USACE reservoirs (Falls and
B. Everett Jordan) are close to Triad region and Raleigh-Durham metropolitan areas and the
Catawba-Wateree reservoirs are close to the Charlotte metropolitan area. The Yadkin and
Yadkin-Pee Dee Project reservoirs, however, are centrally located to all of the major
metropolitan areas. This location puts the Yadkin reservoirs within a day-trip distance to all of
the metropolitan areas including Charlotte, the Triad region, Raleigh-Durham, and Fayetteville,
but is not immediately proximate to any large urban center.
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8.0 References
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI), Tapoco Division, Tapoco Project Shoreline Management
Plan, October 2004.
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI), Yadkin Division, Recreation Facility Inventory and
Condition Assessment Final Study Report, February 2005.
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI), Yadkin Division, Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, FERC
No. 2197 NC, Initial Consultation Document, September 2002.
American Whitewater, River Tools website: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/.
Blue Ridge Parkway Association website: http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/.
Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with Program/Communications
Director Cathy Rhuberg, re: tourism, December 2004.
Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Supervisor Jackie Jacoby, re:
tourism, August 2004.
Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with Director Linda Williams, re: tourism,
October 2004.
Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, Entertainment and Recreation website:
http://clevelcc.wliinc3.com/about/entertainment. asp.
Davidson County Department of Parks and Recreation, Boones Cave Park website:
http://www.co.davidson.nc.us/recreation/1739.asp.
Davidson County Department of Parks and Recreation, phone interview with Director of Parks
and Recreation, Charles Parnell, re: future plans and recreation, December 2004.
DeLorme, North Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine, 2003.
Duke Power, Catawba Wateree Project, FERC No. 2232, First Stage Consultation Document,
2003.
Duke Power, Catawba-Wateree Project, FERC No. 2232, Shoreline Management Plan, July 31,
2001.
Duke Power, Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2232, Shoreline Management
Plan (SMP) revision Final Study Plan, revised March 11, 2004.
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Duke Power, Lake Facts and Maps website:
http://www.dukepower.com/community/lakes/lakefacts/belews.asp.
Duke Power, personal communication with Senior Engineer, Edward D. Bruce, re: shoreline
classifications, March 2005.
Durham County Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Executive Director
Shelly Green, re: tourism, November 2004.
Durham County Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with President Reyn
Bowman, re: tourism, December 2004.
Durham County, Parks and Recreation Department website:
http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/lakes.cfm.
Environmental Resources Management Inc. (ERM), Draft Recreational Use Assessment, Yadkin
Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2197, September 2004.
Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with Administrative Assistant Susan
Yenner, re: tourism, August 2004.
Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail website: http://www.ncrost.org/.
Gaston County Department of Tourism, phone interview with Director Vicky Riddel, re:
tourism, August 2004.
Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (GORP), Parks website:
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us nwr/nc_peede.htm.
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Director of
Communications and Marketing, Martin Armes, re: tourism, December 2004.
Harris Lake County Park, phone interview with Park Technician Coley Houser, re: tourism,
December 2004.
Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Leda Isenhour, re:
tourism, December 2004.
Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with Executive Director Walter B.
Clark, re: tourism, October 2004.
Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with Director Sally Asheworth, re:
tourism, September 2004.
Lake Townsend Yacht Club website: http://www.greensboro.com/ltyc/aboutlt.htm.
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Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with Director Tom White, re:
tourism, September 2004.
McDowell County Tourism Department, phone interview with Director Carol Price, re: tourism,
December 2004.
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, phone interview with Executive
Director Judy Stevens, re: tourism, October 2004.
Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Executive Director Wendy
Shuping, re: tourism, October 2004.
National Park Service (NPS), Blue Ridge Parkway website: http://www.nps.gov/blri/.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), Division of
Forest Resources website: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), Division of
Parks and Recreation website: http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ncparks.html.
North Carolina Outdoors, Greensboro Watershed Trails website:
http://www.northcarolinaoutdoors.com/places/piedmont/gsotrails.html
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Boating/Waterways website:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs-index-05-boating.htm.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Fishing website:
http://www.ncwildlife. org/fs_index_03_fishing. htm.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Hunting/Trapping website:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/fs-index-04-hunting.htm.
Person-Caswell Lake Authority, Hyco Lake brochure, undated.
Person-Caswell Lake Authority, Hyco Lake website: http://www.hycolake.com/.
Person-Caswell Lake Authority, phone interview with Commissioner William Barker, re: Hyco
Lake, July 2004.
Person-Caswell Lake Authority, Visit Carolina Power Lake brochure, undated.
Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG), Current Conditions Report (Draft #1B),
September 20, 2004.
Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG), phone interview with Regional Planning
Director Paul Kron, re: tourism, November 2004.
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Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Director of Tourism
Neha Shah, re: tourism, November 2004.
Progress Energy, phone interview with John Crutchfield, re: Blewett Falls Lake shoreline miles,
March 2005.
Progress Energy, phone interview with Tim Bevacqua, re: shoreline development at Harris Lake,
December 2004.
Progress Energy, Power Plants website: http://www.progress-
energy. com/aboutenergy/powerplants/index. asp.
Progress Energy, Tillery Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2206, Draft Shoreline Management
Plan, December 31, 2001.
Progress Energy, Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project, FERC No. 2206, Initial Consultation
Document, February 2003.
Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with President Bennett Dean, re:
tourism, September 2004.
Rock Hill-York County Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Sports Marketing
Coordinator Robert Thomas, re: tourism, September 2004.
Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Director Judy Newman,
re: tourism, October 2004.
Rowan County, Dan Nicholas Park website: http://www.co.rowan.nc.us/parks/dnp/index.html.
Rowan County Department of Parks and Recreation, phone interview with Director Jim Foltz, re:
future plans, October 2004.
Rowan County Department of Parks and Recreation, phone interview with Nature Center
Supervisor Bob Pendergrass, re: water access to Eagle Point Nature Preserve, March
2005.
Rowan County Department of Planning, phone interview with Planning Manager Ed Muire, re:
future plans, October 2004.
Rowan County Department of Planning, phone interview with Zoning Officer Carl Doby, re:
future plans, October 2004.
Rowan County, Eagle Point Nature Preserve website:
http://www.co.rowan.nc.us/parks/eagle_point/eagle_point nature_preserve.htm.
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South Carolina Lakes Network, Lake H.B. Robinson website:
http://www.southcarolinalakes.net/hb-robinson.htm.
South Carolina Forestry Commission, Sand Hills State Forest website:
http:/www.state.sc.us/forest/refshill.htm.
South Carolina State Parks website: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/.
Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau, phone interview with Executive Director
Melissa Blaylock, re: tourism, October 2004.
Stanly County, phone interview with Planning Director Michael Sandy, re: future plans, October
2004.
Tourism Development Partnership of Davidson County, phone interview with Jo Ellen Edwards,
re: tourism, November 2004.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), B. Everett Jordan Lake, interview with R. C. Ducksen,
re: shoreline development on Jordan Lake, December 2004.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), B. Everett Jordan Lake website:
http://www. saw.usace. army.mil/j ordan/index.htm.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Falls Lake, interview with Park Ranger Jennifer
Waldrop, re: Falls Lake shoreline development and recreation use, October 2004.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Falls Lake website:
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/falls/index.htm.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir, Shoreline
Management Plan, 1993.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir website:
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/jhkerr/index.htm.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Who We Are website:
http://www.saw.usace.anny.mil/whatwedo.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District, Philpott Reservoir Recreation
website: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/philpott/index.htm.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District, Water Management Unit
website: http://epec.saw.usace.artny.mil/.
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U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir, phone interview
with Computer Specialist Shiloh Wiles, re: W. Kerr Scott Reservoir shoreline
development, August 2004.
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir website:
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/wkscott/index.htm.
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge website:
http://peedee.fws.gov/.
U. S. Forest Service (USFS), The Built Environment Image Guide for the National Forests and
Grasslands (FS-710), September 2001.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Outdoor Recreation Opportunities website:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/recreate.htm.
U. S. Forest Service (USFS), Uwharrie National Forest, Recreation Guide website:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/.
Vance County Tourism Department, phone interview with Norman Dickerson, re: tourism,
November 2004.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VA DCR), Virginia State Parks website:
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/index.htm.
Wake County, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space website:
http://www.wakegov.com/county/parks/default.htm.
Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce, phone interview with President Linda Cheek, re:
tourism, November 2004.
Yadkin Inc., Yadkin Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2197, Shoreline Management
Plan, July 1, 1999.
Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project, Yadkin-Pee Dee River Trail Map booklet, 1999.
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Appendix A: Final Study Plan
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Alcoa Power Generating Inc.
Yadkin Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2197)
Regional Recreation Evaluation Final Study Plan
July 2004
Background
Alcoa Power Generating Inc. (APGI) is the licensee for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project.
The Yadkin Project is currently licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) as Project No. 2197. This license expires in 2008 and APGI must file a new
license application with FERC on or before April 30, 2006 to continue operation of the
Proj ect.
The Yadkin Project consists of four reservoirs, dams, and powerhouses (High Rock,
Tuckertown, Narrows, and Falls) located on a 38-mile stretch of the Yadkin River in
central North Carolina. The Project generates electricity to support the power needs of
Alcoa's Badin Works, to support its other aluminum operations, or is sold on the open
market.
As part of the relicensing process, APGI prepared and distributed, in September 2002, an
Initial Consultation Document (ICD), which provides a general overview of the Project.
Agencies, municipalities, nor governmental organizations and members of the public
were given an opportunity to review the ICD and identify information and studies that are
needed to address relicensing issues. To further assist in the identification of issues and
data/study needs, APGI has formed several Issue Advisory Groups (IAGs) to advise
APGI on resource issues throughout the relicensing process. IAGs also have the
opportunity to review and comment on draft study plans. A draft study plan was
developed to provide additional necessary information for consideration in the relicensing
process. On April 22, 2004, Yadkin distributed a copy of the Regional Recreation
Evaluation Draft Study Plan. On May 5, 2004, Yadkin met with the Recreation,
Aesthetics, and Shoreline Management (RASM) IAG to review and discuss the draft
study plan. Yadkin received several comments on the draft study plan at the May 5
meeting, and written comments were accepted on the draft study plan through May 21,
2004. The Final Study Plan has been revised to address the received comments.
1.0 Study Objectives
Based on the recommendations of the Recreation, Aesthetics, and Shoreline Management
IAG, the purpose of this study is to compare the outdoor recreational opportunities and
experiences afforded by the Yadkin Project reservoirs to those afforded by other regional
reservoir related recreation sites. The specific objectives for the study are:
o Identify and inventory the publicly available (governmental and private)
recreation sites/facilities at other reservoirs in the study region
o Provide a general characterization of the recreational opportunities and
experiences available at these reservoirs and sites
o Evaluate how recreation opportunities available at the Yadkin Project compare
with those available elsewhere within the study region
2.0 Technical Approach
2.1 Data Collection
The information used for this study (to the extent available) will rely entirely on existing
information and consultation with regional recreation site managers. Information that is
to be used in this study includes:
o Tourist guides
o Maps
o Brochures
o The Internet
o Recreation and tourism studies
o Literature from recreation providers
o Direct consultation with regional recreation providers, site managers and local
officials
2.2 Regional Recreation Review
Existing recreation information will be reviewed to compile a general inventory of major
regional recreation sites found at the Yadkin Project and at other locations within the
"study region". For purposes of this study, the "study region" is defined as the area
within a 100-mile radius of the Yadkin Project. The inventory will focus on the outdoor
water-based recreational opportunities afforded by other reservoirs and lakes within the
study region. Currently, the major reservoirs/lakes to be evaluated are listed below:
o Yadkin Project (High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows, and Falls)
o Tillery Project (Tillery and Blewett Falls)
o Harris Lake
o Hyco Lake
o Catawba-Wateree Project (James, Rhodiss, Hickory, Lookout Shoals, Norman,
Mountain Island, Wylie)
o Corps of Engineers Projects (W. Kerr Scott, John H. Kerr, Falls Lake, B Everett
Jordan)
The inventory of reservoir recreation sites will include all pertinent information on each
of the reservoirs, including reservoir owner/operator/manager, reservoir location,
reservoir setting, size, reservoir operating regime (including seasonal water level
changes) and the general character of the reservoir shoreline.
While the primary focus of the evaluation will be water-based recreation opportunities
associated with regional reservoirs, the study will also consider (to a lesser extent) any
other major recreation facilities or sites in the study region that provide other types of
outdoor recreation opportunities. Types of outdoor recreation sites to be included in the
inventory are listed in the following categories:
o National and state forests
o National, state, and local parks
o Wildlife refuges and nature preserves
o Game lands
o Designated recreation areas
o Major rivers and streams
o Wilderness areas
o Trail systems
o Other notable outdoor recreation sites
The inventory of recreation sites within the study region will include information such as
location, type of recreation area, and managing agency.
2.3 Characterization of Regional Recreation Sites and Opportunities
After inventorying the major recreation sites in the study region, a characterization of the
types of recreational opportunities available at each site will be made using existing
information.
2.3.1 Types of Activities
Each site will be characterized by the types of recreational activities afforded by that
site. The characterization will focus on traditional categories of outdoor recreation.
Types of recreational activities to be characterized for each site include:
o Fishing o Wildlife observation o Rock Climbing
o Boating o Bicycling o OHV use
o Canoeing/Kayaking o Hiking/Backpacking o Horseback
o Swimming o Camping Riding/Trails
o Hunting o Picnicking
The characterization of each activity type will include activities available and their
supporting facilities, trends in use, and other available information.
2.3.2 Recreational Experience
Each of the major reservoirs in the study region will also be characterized according to
the recreational experience offered by that site. The "experience" of a reservoir will
be characterized by a number of factors. To the extent such information is available, a
reservoir's experience will be predominantly characterized by the reservoir's setting
and the volume and types of use. Specifically, information will be sought on the
amount of development, the type of development, project operations, the carrying
capacity of the reservoir, and the volume and type of use the reservoirs receive. After
all available information has been compiled and a qualitative assessment of the data
has been completed, each reservoir will be classified in one of three recreation
experience categories: Natural, Limited Development, or Developed. An initial
determination of the recreational experience provided by each of the reservoirs will be
made initially by LVA based on data and information collected during the study, and
will be provided in the draft study report. During review of the draft study report,
input will be solicited from Recreation, Aesthetics, and Shoreline Management IAG
members regarding a final determination of the experience provided at these
reservoirs.
2.3.3 Tourism
In addition to specific recreation opportunities and experiences available, each
reservoir will be characterized using existing information with respect to tourism.
Tourism will be generally evaluated in terms of the amount of tourism generated by
the recreation site(s) and opportunities available at each reservoir. For purposes of
this study, tourism will generally be distinguished from local use by considering
multi day visits as "tourism", and single day use as "local use". Local officials (i.e.
county planners) and recreation site owners or operators will be contacted and asked to
provide a general characterization of tourism at each reservoir. The information
sought from requisite officials will be standardized to include general tourism
information such as any estimates they may have on type of use, volume of use, and
seasonal use patterns and activities by tourists at each reservoir. Local officials will
also be asked if they actively promote reservoir related tourism, and whether they have
information or data that suggests that their promotional efforts have increased tourism
use.
2.4 Comparison of Yadkin Recreational Opportunities and Experiences with Other
Regional Sites
After the inventory and characterization of the regional recreation sites is completed, the
types of recreation facilities, recreation opportunities and recreation experiences afforded
by the Yadkin Project reservoirs will be compared to the other recreation sites in the
study region. The comparison will generally characterize the similarities and differences
in the recreational opportunities and experiences provided at the Yadkin Project to those
available elsewhere in the region.
2.5 Review of Yadkin Area Recreation Plans and Future Opportunities
Reporting
An inventory of recreational facilities at the Yadkin Project is being completed as part of
a separate study. However, as part of the regional recreation evaluation, additional
information on future recreational sites and facilities planned for the Yadkin Project area
will be gathered and reviewed. Specifically, each of the 5 Counties surrounding the
Yadkin Project and will be interviewed to determine what plans the Counties have for
adding recreational sites or facilities to the 5 county region over the next 10-20 years.
The Counties will also be queried about their assessment of recreational needs that exist
in the region, that are not currently being met at the Yadkin Project or elsewhere within
the 5 County region. Information obtained from the Counties concerning recreation
facility plans and needs will be incorporated into the overall regional recreation
assessment.
3.0 Study Reports and IAG Meetings
3.1 Reporting
A Draft Study Report will be prepared and distributed to the IAG for review and
comment. After meeting with the IAG to review and discuss the draft report a final study
report will be prepared.
4.0 Proposed Study Schedule
It is anticipated that the draft study report will be completed in the 3rd quarter of 2004.
Appendix B: Comment Summary
Copies of the Regional Recreation Evaluation Draft Study Report were distributed to all
Recreation, Aesthetics and Shoreline Management (RASM) Issue Advisory Group (IAG)
members on January 13, 2005. Results of the Draft were then presented at a RASM IAG
meeting in Badin, North Carolina on February 2, 2005. Comments on the Draft were received at
this meeting. Additionally, participants were given until March 4, 2005 to prepare additional
comments. Table 1 below is a summary of the comments received and responses to the
comments.
l apse 1: summa of uomments aria KeS onseS
Source of Comment Comment
U. S. Forest Service (USFS):
2/2/05 Recreation, Aesthetics,
and Shoreline Management
IAG Meeting (2/2 RASM)
North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission
(NCWRC): 2/2 RASM
Table 87 on page 84 probably
understates the issue of
"natural" experiences in the
region. USFS also suggested
that the report look at the total
number of acres in each
experience category rather
than simply looking at number
of reservoirs and shoreline
miles.
Progress Energy may have an
estimate of shoreline miles for
Blewett Falls Lake (this
information was not included
in the Draft Report).
NCWRC: 2/2 RASM
The land classification data
for Catawba-Wateree
reservoirs (2001 data used in
the Draft Report) only
considers development on the
water side of the project
boundary.
tcesponse
Table 87 and the
corresponding discussion (in
Section 6.0) have been
amended to reflect this
comment.
Blewett Falls Lake has 46.9
miles of shoreline. Tables 1
(Section 1.2.2), 84, 86, and 87
(Section 6.0) have been
updated to include this
information. Section 3.1.2 has
been updated to include this
information also.
Duke Power is currently
revising its shoreline
classifications as part of its
FERC relicensing process.
The new classifications will
not be finalized until May
2006 and therefore could not
be included in the Regional
Recreation Evaluation. A
footnote has been added to the
discussion of Catawba-
Wateree shoreline
classifications in section
1.2.3.2 to reflect this comment.
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High Rock Lake Association
2/2 RASM
The entire shoreline along the
Eagle Point Nature Preserve is
posted as "no trespassing." Is
it Rowan County's intention
to exclude water access to the
Park?
The discussion of Eagle Point
Nature Preserve (in Section
2.1.1) has been amended to
clarify Rowan County's
policies regarding access to the
preserve via boat.
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