Lakes of the Catawba
The eleven major lakes of the Catawba and Wateree rivers are born in the highlands of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains and stretch out for almost 200 miles into the coastal plain of South Carolina. In between they are an unparalleled source of life, growth, energy and recreation. The common thread that ties them together is the Catawba River. This page provides information on the Lakes of the Catawba and contains links to the Covekeeper and other volunteer programs associated with some of the lakes.
Lake James - Seated in the foothills 
of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the first lake in the system, Lake James gathers surface water from its west by way of the infant Catawba River....
Go to Lake James Covekeeper page
Lake Rhodhiss - After leaving Lake James, the Catawba River arrives at Lake Rhodhiss to the east by meandering through...
Learn more about Lake Rhodhiss
Lake Hickory - Just a few miles downstream from the Rhodhiss dam the Catawba River expands its banks once more to form...
Go to the Lake Hickory Covekeepers page
Lookout Shoals Lake - Less than 10 miles from the dam at Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake is formed by....
Learn more about Lookout Shoals Lake
Lake Norman - When the Catawba River finally makes a marked turn to due south some 15 miles downstream from Lookout Shoals Dam....
Go to the Lake Norman Covekeepers page
Mountain Island Lake - A few winding 
river miles from the Cowan's Ford Dam....
Learn more about Mountain Island Lake
Visit the MIL Covekeepers page
Lake Wylie - Bridging the Catawba River's transition into the Palmetto Sate, Lake Wylie's 25+ mile course here is....
Go to the Lake Wylie Covekeepers page
The longest remaining "free-flowing" section of the Catawba River can be found below Lake Wylie before reaching Fishing Creek Lake. In this 30-mile section of the South Carolina Scenic Catawba River, one can find the magnificent Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies blooming from mid-May to mid-June. These flowers can viewed from water or foot via access from Landsford Canal State Park in Catawba, SC. Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation leads an annual Eco-tour through the lilies every spring. Learn more about the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies and see photos from this year's Eco-tour here.
Fishing Creek Lake - Slightly smaller than 
Mountain Island Lake, the next lake....
Learn More about Fishing Creek Lake
Great Falls Lake - The oldest of the Catawba lakes in South Carolina, Great Falls is....
Rocky Creek Lake - The second smallest lake in the system, Rocky Creek's 847 surface acres....
Lake Wateree - As the Catawba River enters the last of the lakes in the system it gives up its identity since, from this lake on it will be known as....
Click here for the Lake Wateree Covekeepers page
For News about specific areas of the Catawba River Basin visit a page below:
- News about the Upper Catawba River Basin
- News about the Charlotte Area of the Catawba River Basin
- News about the S.C. portion of the Catawba River Basin
Information and a map about water withdrawals and discharges in the Catawba River Basin is here --> The Water of the Catawba
Covekeeper Programs - click this link for more information about the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation's Covekeeper Programs at each lake.
Statistical information and links to Duke Energy information about the lakes along the Catawba River can be found here --> Catawba Lakes
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE CATAWBA RIVER AND WATEREE RIVER, CLICK HERE.
