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.

 

 Headwaters of Catawba

 

Lake James - Seated in the foothills Lake James and Mountainsof 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....

              Learn more about Lake James

 

     

Lake Rhodhiss at sunset

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...

LakeHickoryDam_aerial

Learn more about Lake Hickory

Go to the Lake Hickory Covekeepers page

    

LookoutShoalsDam_aerial 

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 aerial

Lake Norman - When the Catawba River finally makes a marked turn to due south some 15 miles downstream from Lookout Shoals Dam.... 

    

     Learn more about Lake Norman

  Go to the Lake Norman Covekeepers page

  

   

Mountain Island Lake - A few winding early morning Mountain Island Lake river miles from the Cowan's Ford Dam....

    

Learn more about Mountain Island Lake

    Visit the MIL Covekeepers page

 

  

 

School of gar Lake Wylie - Bridging the Catawba River's transition into the Palmetto State, Lake Wylie's 25+ mile course here is....

 

            Learn more about Lake Wylie

     Go to the Lake Wylie Covekeepers page



 Fishing Creek Lake - Slightly smaller than  Spider Lillies 2 Mountain Island Lake, the next lake....

     

     Learn More about Fishing Creek Lake




Great Falls Lake & Rocky Crk Lake mapGreat 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....

 

                Learn more about these lakes

  



Lake Wateree Dam

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....

 Learn more about Lake Wateree

Click here for the Lake Wateree Covekeepers page

 

 


 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 RIVERCLICK HERE.

 
Document Actions
Covekeeper Meetings

Join us for our monthly Covekeeper Meetings at 7 pm:

Mountain Island Lake: 2nd Monday - Cooks Presbyterian Church

Lake Wylie: 2nd Wednesday - Lake Wylie Public Library 

Lake Wateree: 2nd Thursday - Dutchman Creek Fire Dept. 

Upper Catawba Basin: 3rd Monday - 320 Mauney Hall at Lenoir-Rhyne College 

Lake Norman: 4th Thursday - East Lincoln Fire Department on South Pilot Knob Road off Hwy. 16.

Please check the calendar section of the website to verify the meeting time and location.

News
Mar 05, 2010 New Sewage Plant at ReVenture Park
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities is planning to build a new $197 million wastewater plant in proposed business park on the former Clariant (Sodyeco) property on the west side of the Catawba River. The plant would serve Mt. Holly via a pipe that under the Catawba River and Mecklenburg County.
Mar 03, 2010 Stricter Water Classifications Proposed for Catawba
DENR has proposed that segments of the Catawba River be reclassified as High Quality Waters (HQW). It would include the main stem of the river and the headwater tributaries starting at the river’s source and ending at the river’s confluence with the Left Prong Catawba River.
Feb 24, 2010 Mountain Island Lake Impaired
NC Division of Water Quality's draft 2010 Impaired Waterbodies List includes a large portion of Mountain Island Lake, the main drinking water supply for the Cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount Holly.
Feb 22, 2010 Erosion Continues at Bankrupt or Foreclosed Developments
A recent article entitled, "Erosion is latest fallout of recession," by Bruce Henderson with the Charlotte Observer highlights many of the problems associated with large developments that find themselves in bankruptcy or foreclosure.
Feb 08, 2010 Utilities Plans for Coal Ash Ponds May Not Be Enough
Are utilities' plans for shoring up hazardous coal ash dams good enough?
More news…
Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, River Network, the North Carolina Conservation Network, and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  EarthShare North Carolina makes it possible for employees to support the environment through workplace giving programs.  River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country.  The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment.  The Waterkeeper Alliance is a worldwide network of advocates for protection of our water resources.  For more information about these organizations or to inquire about enrolling your employer in EarthShare NC, please contact CRF@catawbariverkeeper.org.

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Make a Donation

Your River needs you as much as you need the River

Donate Here

River maps and Recreational options

Maps

Recreation

Report Pollution in the Catawba River

Help protect your River! 

Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:

  • Sewage Overflows
  • Failure to control sediment from construction sites
  • Illegal clearing of buffer areas
  • Fish kills 
  • Invasive aquatic species
  • Exceeding Pollution Limits
  • Discharges exceeding allowable limits
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or

Call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494 (ext. 3)

 
421 Minuet Ln Ste 205 . Charlotte, NC 28217-2784 . Phone: 704.679.9494 . Fax: 704.679.9559