Duke Energy’s massive new $4 million water recreation improvement plan was recently approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Commission required it before they would sign Duke’s 40-year federal hydropower license renewal.
The new improvement plan lists a total of 89 projects along the 225 miles of Duke-controlled Catawba River, including; new picnic facilities, fishing piers, swim beaches, campgrounds, expanded parking, boating access areas, and more (click here to see a detailed list of the improvements).
Some of the biggest local projects will be two new lake access points, one being the Beatties Ford access area on Lake Norman and the other, the Allison Creek access area on Lake Wylie.
The following improvements for our 3 Charlotte area lakes are included in the approved plan;
| LAKE NORMAN | ||
| Recreation Site Name | Project Recreation Facilities | Non-Project Recreation Facilities |
| Ramsey Creek Access Area | Existing: 4 1-lane boat ramps; courtesy dock with boat slips; 173 vehicle w/ trailer and 10 ADA parking spaces | Existing: Restrooms; multipurpose field and courts; picnic shelters and tables; trails; fishing pier; courtesy dock; swim beach; maintenance facility; boathouse for police patrol; dog park; playground; vehicle parking Proposed: Additional parking; expansion of existing fishing pier and maintenance facilities |
| McGuire Fishing Area |
Existing: Fishing pier (ADA); 52 vehicle and 3 ADA parking spaces |
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| Hagers Creek Access Area | Existing: 4 1-lane boat ramps; 2 courtesy docks (ADA); 120 vehicle w/ trailer and 5 ADA parking spaces Proposed: (Within 5 years) Additional paved parking; trails; bank fishing; picnic facilities; restroom; if site conditions allow, a fishing pier |
Proposed: RV camping, camping cabins, bathhouse, dump station, marine pump-out; marina slips; marina, dry storage building, boatyard, service area, dock master’s residence; additional parking |
| Island Point Access Area | Proposed: (Within 15 years) Trails; bank and/or pier fishing; picnic facilities; a swimming area; boat access facilities (2 ramps, courtesy dock, parking); restrooms | Proposed: RV campground with bathhouse, dump station, marine pump- out; courtesy dock, courtesy slips; amphitheater; environmental area and interpretative center; group camping with restrooms; canoe/kayak launch; additional parking; park office; park residence; picnic facilities; restrooms |
| MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE | ||
| Recreation Site Name | Project Recreation Facilities | Non-Project Recreation Facilities |
| Highway 73 Access Area |
Proposed: (Within 5 years) Approx. 2-acre site with canoe/kayak access; ≈10 gravel parking spaces |
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| Lucia Access Area |
Proposed: (Within 5 years) Canoe/kayak access; ≈10 gravel parking spaces; wildlife viewing facility |
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| Neck Road Access Area | Existing: 2 1-lane boat ramps; courtesy dock (ADA); 61 vehicle/trailer and 4 ADA parking spaces |
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| Riverbend Access Area | Existing: 4 1-lane boat ramps; 2 courtesy docks; vehicle with trailer parking (including ADA), gravel vehicle only parking Proposed: (Within 10 years) Restrooms; bank fishing; a swimming area; fishing pier; additional paved parking |
Proposed: Bathhouse; campground; trail; additional paved parking |
| Mountain Island Dam Canoe Portage | Proposed: (Within 10 years) Canoe/kayak access and a portage trail; signage | |
| Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area and Mountain Island River Park |
Existing: 2 tailrace fishing platforms; vehicle only parking (20 vehicle parking spaces, 2 ADA parking spaces at fishing and 25 vehicle parking spaces, 4 ADA parking spaces at park) | |
| LAKE WYLIE | ||
| Recreation Site Name | Project Recreation Facilities | Non-Project Recreation Facilities |
| Dutchmans Creek Access Area |
Proposed: (Within 5 years) Canoe/kayak access and ≈10 gravel parking spaces | Existing: Playground; trail |
| South Point Access Area | Existing: 6 1-lane boat ramps; 4 courtesy docks; 165 vehicle/trailer and 7 ADA parking spaces Proposed: (Within 5 years) Trails; 2 fishing piers; bank fishing area; picnic facilities; a swimming area; restrooms; additional paved parking |
Proposed: RV camping; bathhouse; dump station; trail; marine pump-out |
| Allen Fishing Area |
Existing: 2 fishing piers (ADA); bank fishing trail; 29 vehicle and 2 ADA parking spaces; restroom |
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| Copperhead Access Area | Existing: Four 1-lane boat ramps (2 ADA); 2 courtesy docks; 47 vehicle, 72 vehicle w/ trailer and 3 ADA parking spaces | Existing: Fishing piers; trails; picnic shelter; beach volleyball court; restrooms; primitive camping; wildlife viewing platform; gate house; event docks; vehicle parking |
| Buster Boyd Access Area | Existing: 4 1-lane boat ramps; 2 courtesy docks (ADA); 51 vehicle and 119 vehicle w/ trailer and 6 ADA parking spaces Proposed: (Within 5 years) Restrooms |
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| Allison Creek Access Area | Existing: 3 1-lane boat ramps; 2 courtesy docks (ADA); 15 vehicle and 90 vehicle w/ trailer and 1 ADA parking spaces; fishing pier (ADA) Proposed: (Within 5 years) Approx. 48-acre expansion with restrooms; picnic facilities; paved parking; an ≈1-mile-long trail |
Proposed: RV campground with bathhouse; trail; dump station; marine pump-out; restrooms; gate house; ranger station; maintenance building; volleyball court; playground; swim beach; primitive camping and/or cabins; canoe/kayak launch; picnic facilities; parking |
| Ebenezer Access Area | Existing: 3 1-lane boat ramps; 2 courtesy docks (ADA); 70 vehicle and 160 vehicle w/ trailer and 6 ADA parking spaces | Existing: Picnic shelters and tables; park office; playground; restrooms; swimming beach; basketball court; volleyball court; bath house; RV and tent camping; park ranger station and office; vehicle parking Proposed: Kayak launch; water/splash area; fire pit; day use and emergency boat slips; event stage; pier with swings; primitive campsites; relocation of parking lot; trails; swimming beach improvements |
| Nivens Creek Access Area | Existing: 2 1-lane boat ramps; courtesy dock; vehicle and 32 vehicle/trailer and 2 ADA parking spaces |
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| Rock Hill Park | Proposed: (Within 5 years) Approx. 17-acre site with bank fishing trail with fishing stations; picnic facilities; swimming area; restroom; parking |
Proposed: Canoe/kayak launch |
| Fort Mill Access Area | Existing: 1 1-lane boat ramp; 20 vehicle and vehicle w/ trailer parking spaces; 2 fishing platforms (1 ADA) Proposed: (Within 10 years) Restroom; picnic facilities; wildlife viewing facility (combined with fishing platform) |
Proposed: Dog park; playground; canoe/kayak launch; assembly shelter with overlook; picnic shelter; parking; horseshoes; basketball; restrooms; amphitheater; maintenance area/building |
Duke Energy has not yet released construction or completion dates.
What are your thoughts on the new projects?