Mountain Island Lake Page

Information, maps and links for Mountain Island Lake

Mountain Island Lake - A few winding river miles from the Cowan's Ford Dam the Catawba enters the last lake of the chain entirely bounded by the state of North Carolina, Mountain Island Lake. While only 1/10th the size of Lake Norman, this lake provides drinking water to over 3/4 of a million people in the Charlotte, Mount Holly, Gastonia area. 

Sand bar on July 4th

Mountain Island Lake was created in 1924 with construction of the Mountain Island Hydroelectric Station.  At full pond, the Lake has a total surface area of 2,788 acres and 27 miles of shoreline in Mecklenburg County.  On average, water stays in Mountain Island lake for 11 days before flowing into Lake Wylie

Duke Energy operates 2 generating stations here; the Riverbend Steam Station and a hydroelectric station at the dam. According to the EPA two of the 44 highest hazard coal ash ponds in the United States are located at the coal-fired Riverbend Station. In addition to the issue of safety at the ash pond dams, the Riverkeeper continues to be concerned about contamination of ground water by the coal ash stored at the station. In 2010 Catawba Riverkeeper tested fish tissue, water and bottom sediment samples adjacent to the outlet of Duke's coal ash ponds on Mtn. Island Lake. for heavy metals and PCB's. The results showed high levels of both contaminates and eventually led to a State issued fish consumption advisory. Charlotte/Mecklenburg Water Quality Officials have promised further fish tissue sampling on Mtn. Island Lake by the end of 2011.

There are two public access boat ramps on the lake, a fishing pier at Mecklenburg County's Latta Plantation but no marinas. Just below the dam is a handicapped accessible public tailrace fishing area. MIL also has an active Covekeeper program.

 
 

          View Mountain Island Lake in a larger map

  
For News about the Charlotte area of the Catawba River Basin click here.
 
For information about water sampling on Mtn. Island Lake click here.
 
 
Links to regulations and guidance documents applicable to the Mecklenburg County portion of Mountain Island Lake:
 
 

Visit the MIL Covekeepers page

 
 

 Statistical information and links to Duke Energy information about the lakes can be found here -> Lakes


FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE CATAWBA RIVER AND WATEREE RIVER, CLICK HERE.

 
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Covekeeper Meetings

Join us for our monthly Covekeeper Meetings:

Lake James: 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. - 4794 E. Shores Dr., Morganton, NC.

Lake Hickory & Lake Rhodhiss: 3rd Monday at 7 p.m. - 320 Mauney Hall at Lenoir-Rhyne College 

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

Mountain Island Lake: 2nd Monday at 7 p.m. - Cooks Presbyterian Church

Lake Wylie: 2nd Wednesday at 7 p.m. - T-Bones on the Lake 

Lake Wateree: 2nd Thursday at 7 p.m. - Dutchman Creek Fire Dept. 

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

News
Jan 30, 2012 Catawba River One of Top 10 Endangered Places in the South
On January 26, 2012, the Southern Environmental Law Center announced its annual list of the Top 10 Endangered Places in the Solutheastern U.S. The Catawba-Wateree River was back on the list as the 3rd most endangered place in the Southeast because of the threats from coal ash, power plant water use and unnecessary reservoirs.
Jan 26, 2012 Soil runoff from Target project still damaging stream
Catawba Riverkeeper volunteers have been closely monitoring the development of the new Target store near Cox Road and I-85. This project required moving a large portion of a hillside and rerouting a stream. As reported in the article, it is questionable about whether it is feasible to limit sedimentation in the short-term and whether the site will be stable over the long term.
Jan 18, 2012 Catawba Riverkeeper Files Lawsuit Against SCE&G
On January 12, 2012, The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Catawba Riverkeeper, filed a lawsuit against SCE&G to require a cleanup of coal ash ponds with a long history of leakage.
Jan 07, 2012 Coal Ash Dumping on the Rise
The Environmental Integrity Project reports that toxic coal ash dumping on the rise in the South.
Dec 15, 2011 Concerns Raised Again About Coal Ash Pond on Wateree River
Coal ash pervasive: 2 billion pounds of power plant waste gets in ponds, landfills in SC.
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

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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)

How to contact your NC Legislator

Sometimes you just can't get the action that is needed to protect our water without contacting your legislator.  To find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature and how to contact them, click here.

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