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 camping, picnicking, swimming, marinas, more boat ramps, gas pumps, fishing access and restroom facilities on Lake Norman. Through the AAII and existing agency leases, additional picnicking, fishing areas and restroom facilities will be constructed in the next 5 years to meet the identified needs.
Additional marinas, gas pumps, pump out stations 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, facility standards and estimated acreage needs for the facility class, approximately 66 acres will be needed through 2050 to meet future recreational facility demand. Currently, 401 acres of mainland and 223 acres of islands 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 is also 1 North Carolina State Park and 2 county owned parks located on the lake.
Survey respondents indicated they would like to see fewer or no jet skiing and regulation of size of boats on the lake. Additional safety items concerning safe use of jet skis and controlling boat speed will be included in the Duke Power's lake map publication.
The known proposed recreational changes for Lake Norman follow:
Duke Power Access
Beattys Ford Access Area, Lincoln County, North Carolina
The changes proposed by Lincoln County for this site in 2001-2002:
- Install recycling and waste receptacles.
- Install picnic tables.
- Install an 18 hole disc golf course.
- Install a restroom facility (Portable toilets will be used until the permanent building is completed).
The changes proposed by Lincoln County for this site in 2003-2004:
- Development of a walking trail.
- Installation of playground equipment.
- Construction of 1 picnic shelter.
- Roadway improvements.
The changes proposed by Lincoln County for this site in 2005-2006:
- Installation of 2 sand volleyball courts.
- Installation of 2 horseshoe courts.
- Installation of some smaller shelters.
- Extension and possible paving of the trail.
The changes proposed by Lincoln County for this site in 2007-2008:
- Develop an outdoor classroom in a modified amphitheater style.
- Improvements to the secondary entrance and expanded parking.
Little Creek Access Area, Lincoln County, North Carolina
The changes proposed by Lincoln County for this site during 2001-2002 are to install picnic tables and benches.
Duke Power Islands
The NCWRC has expressed an interest in managing the islands on Lake Norman. A management plan is being developed and may be completed for the SMP filing in 2001.
One island in Mecklenburg County is designated a Colonial Waterbird Nesting Area with the NCWRC to protect a Great Blue Heron rookery (nesting area) on the island. The island is off-limits to human use between April 1 and August 31 which is their nesting period. The ban on use of the island during the nesting period is enforced by the NCWRC. In cooperation with the NCWRC, the shoreline of the island was classified as Natural with lake use restrictions that do not allow construction or excavation within the project boundary. The Natural areas classification have characteristics (i.e. shallow water, significant cultural resources or significant terrestrial habitat) that make most types of development inside the project boundary undesirable from an overall Lake Management standpoint.
Mecklenburg County is also interested in leasing some of the islands and is investigating potential recreation uses for them.
