Lake Norman
By Tahlia Gutierrez
In Western North Carolina, the Catawba River flows through Lake Norman. This man-made lake is North Carolina’s largest, and it’s packed with history. From ancient Native American artifacts to early European settlements, the land in, around, and under Lake Norman has always been thriving.
Before American settlers, Natives used the Catawba River and land around it as a stable water source, but as technology advanced, dams were found to be excellent flood control measures, while the consistent water flow led to the production of large amounts of electricity.
The history of Lake Norman is fascinating and shows how humans’ reliance on water equates to thriving communities.
Catawba River
For hundreds or even thousands of years, the Catawba River has been a water source for the land’s inhabitants. The river is named after the Native American tribe that lived in present-day North and South Carolina. In the Catawba language, the tribe’s name translates to “people of the river,” indicating that the people relied on the Catawba River for everyday life.
Charlotte’s Chartered
As European settlers landed on the eastern shores of America in the 18th century, they brought along diseases like smallpox that wiped out nearly the entire Catawba tribe. Eventually, more people started moving west, and the town of Charlotte was chartered in 1768 with strong trade routes near Catawba land. Named in honor of King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte, the town received the nickname, “Queen City.”
Duke Power Company
In the mid-20th century, as engineers figured out how to get electricity to more people, hydroelectricity became the go-to method for creating power. Early planning and development of the Catawba River in the early 1900s led to the idea that a larger dam could do more work, like generating electricity and providing flood control to the region, along with being a water supply.
Duke Power Company was no stranger to creating man-made lakes, but damming up the Catawba River north of Charlotte would cover 32,000 acres of land, making this the largest body of water in North Carolina. Small communities and pieces of history would be at risk of erasure, but decision-makers found the benefits of the dam to be more helpful to the larger community.
Cowans Ford Dam
Cowans Ford Dam was approved to start construction in 1959, and by 1963 Lake Norman was created. The man-made lake’s shoreline encompassed 520 miles and covered four counties. As the waters rose in 1963 in Lake Norman, highways, houses, and history were submerged. Davidson College Researchers compiled a database known as Under Lake Norman that maps out and details the lost underwater treasures.
North Carolina’s Inland Sea
Lake Norman quickly became a bustling place for families and tourists to visit. New businesses were attracted to the developing area and lakeside real estate became popular. Lake Norman’s grand size made it the perfect vacation spot any time of the year, but water activities like boat tours, fishing, and swimming quickly became the main attractions in the warmer months.
Dubbed North Carolina’s “Inland Sea,” Lake Norman opened up for business in the summer of 1964, with some waterfront lots going for $120 an acre a year. All sorts of businesses began to pop up like restaurants, bars, fishing stores, and other tourism shops. In The History of Lake Norman, Donna Campbell recounts how eager families from Charlotte were to pack up their station wagons and start homes or businesses on the shores of Lake Norman.
Diverse Ecosystem
Even though Lake Norman is man-made, it has a thriving freshwater ecosystem. It took two years once Cowans Ford Dam was completed to fill up Lake Norman with the water from Catawba River. Heavy rainfalls between 1963 and 1964 helped speed up that process. Like humans, animals were quick to adapt to the man-made river. Now, you can find catfish, bass, and perch thriving in the waters, while herons and egrets are commonly spotted along the shores.
Erosion
Water, wind, and rain all lead to erosion, especially along the coast of lakes and rivers. In places like Lake Norman, where residential homes and commercial businesses are dense along the shore, erosion happens at a faster rate. Landowners can protect their North Carolina yards with consistent lawn maintenance.
While many types of grass will grow in North Carolina, the best grass seed for Western North Carolina will also help prevent erosion. Duke Energy also has a Shoreline Management Plan in place to protect the remaining shores across the eleven lakes in the system, which includes shoreline stabilization and ongoing construction.
Thriving Economy
Every year, Lake Norman welcomes six million visitors in Iredell County, Catawba County, Mecklenburg County, and Lincoln County. That’s millions of people visiting local shops, restaurants, and hotels, putting money into the Lake Norman economy. These tourists bring in millions every year, funding the local community and supporting the people who live and work at Lake Norman.
Today, Lake Norman continues to provide vital resources and activities to the community. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or want to explore miles of waterfront trails, Lake Norman is ready to welcome you with sparkling waters.
Interested in purchasing lakefront property at Lake Norman? Contact the Lake Realty team to find out about available properties and the best services for you.
Tahlia Gutierrez is an experienced multimedia journalist, producer, and content writer born and raised in Texas. In her spare time, she loves catching a live band, dancing, and finding the next big taco spot. As a writer, she is passionate about making a positive impact on her community by elevating the voices and stories that need to be heard.
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