Proposed Recreational Enhancements
Based on comments received from the Recreation Use and Needs Survey conducted for Duke Power in 1999, the respondents indicated a need for picnicking, marinas, boat ramps, pump out stations, restaurants, gas pumps and restroom facilities on Lake Hickory. Through the AAII and existing agency leases additional restroom facilities will be constructed in the next 5 years to meet the identified needs. The boat ramps are being improved through Duke Power's general access area improvement plan.
Additional marinas, pump out stations, gas pumps and other facilities may also be installed as Duke Power begins accepting access area lease requests by non-agency groups for the access areas not leased to the agencies. The non-agency groups had to wait until after June 1, 2000 (the deadline for agencies to submit an application, plan and schedule) before Duke Power would consider accepting their applications.
Based on the projected population projections and facility standards and estimated acreage needs for the facility class, approximately 45 acres will be needed through 2050 to meet future recreational facility demand. Currently 222 acres of mainland have been reserved for recreational use. The land is good topographically and will be able to support the facilities identified by the survey respondents in the Recreation Use and Needs Study. There are also a total of three county and city parks that provide additional recreation facilities.
Some items that concerned recreationists were less or no jet skiing and additional no wake zones. Additional safety items concerning safe use of jet skis and controlling boat speed will be including in the Duke Power's lake map publication.
The following is a description of the known proposed recreational changes for Lake Hickory:
Duke Power Access
Lovelady Access Area, Caldwell County, North Carolina
The changes proposed by Duke Power in the next 5 years:
- Replace the 2 existing ramps.
- Replace the existing loading piers.
- Pave the entrance road and parking lot.
Dusty Ridge Access Area, Alexander County, North Carolina
The changes proposed by Alexander County for this site during the Fiscal Year 2000-2001:
- Develop 3 ball fields.
- Develop 2 soccer fields.
- Develop additional parking.
The changes proposed by Duke Power in the next 5 years:
- Duke Power will remove the existing ramps and pier and replace them with 2 new ramps and 1 loading pier.
- The parking lot will be paved.
Duke Power Islands
The NCWRC has expressed an interest in managing the islands on Lake Hickory. A management plan is being developed and may be completed for the SMP filing in 2001.
