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

Go to Lake James Covekeeper page

 


Lake Rhodhiss at sunsetLake 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 garLake 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 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 - 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....

Lake Wateree Dam

 Learn more about Lake Wateree

Click here for the Lake Wateree Covekeepers page

 


 For News about specific areas of the Catawba River Basin visit a page below:


 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.

 
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News
May 21, 2013 State Files Lawsuit Against Duke Energy for Illegal Discharges from Coal Ash Waste Ponds
On May 20, in response to a Notice of Intent to Sue filed by Catawba Riverkeeper and SELC, the State of North Carolina filed an amended complaint against Duke Energy for illegal discharges documented by Catawba Riverkeeper. These illegal discharges of arsenic and other toxic substances into Mountain Island Lake threaten the drinking water supply for approximately 860,000 people in the Charlotte area.
May 15, 2013 Radiation Leak at Catawba Nuclear Station
On May 15, 2013, Duke Energy reported a leak of of radioactive Tritium at the Catawba Nuclear Station on Lake Wylie. The available information raises more questions than answers.
May 09, 2013 Public Officials Request that People Stay Off the River
High water levels in the lakes, and unusually high flows and fast-moving water in the riverine sections of the River, are combining to make the River unsafe for swimming and paddling. Trees, debris and sewage are being carried with the floodwaters. PLEASE DON'T ADD TO THE BURDEN OF ALREADY STRESSED EMERGENCY RESPONDERS BY DOING SOMETHING DUMB WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO COME RESCUE YOU!
May 07, 2013 Rains Bring Sewage Spills, Trash and Floods
Recent rains have lead to a rash of sewage spills, large amounts of trash in the streams and river, as well as flooding. This doesn't have to happen!
May 06, 2013 Special Interest Money Puts Garden Parkway Back on Priority List
URGENT CALL TO ACTION – STOP THE UNDEAD TOLL ROAD. YOUR PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS NEEDED BY TUESDAY MAY 7.
More news…
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 
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report water pollution to Catawba Riverkeeper by phone, call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494.  In addition, to informing your Riverkeeper, you should also report spills or contamination to federal, state and local environmental officials.

To report South Carolina water pollution call 1-888-481-0125.

To report North Carolina spills or fish kills, call your local regional Department of Environment & Natural Resources office during normal business hours (704-663-1699 for most Catawba basin areas or (828) 296-4500 for Burke, Caldwell, McDowell and other mountain counties) or 800-858-0368 after hours.  (For more information on NC spill reporting, click here)

Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, the North Carolina Conservation Network, River Network and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  

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