Page 19 - Burke County NC

HARNESSING THE
RIVER

Lake James State Park
The park maintains two access areas for
boating, swimming, and fishing. Campsites
are at both access points at the Catawba
River and Paddy’s Creek, with some sites
accessible only by paddling/boat. All
camping reservations are made in advance
online. Trails include bike trails at Paddy’s
Sparkling in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake James is a Creek, the kid-friendly Holly Discovery Trail,
6,510-acre lake near Morganton with 150 shoreline miles. the historic Overmountain Victory Trail, and
the Fonta Flora State Trail.
Lake James is the first – and one of the largest – reservoirs on the Catawba River,
created a century ago for the generation of hydroelectric power with the impoundment
of the south fork of the Catawba, the state-designated natural and scenic Linville River,
and Paddy’s Creek. It is surrounded by ancient forest.
Fishing and paddling here is a dream! Residents have lake views. Marinas dock the
boats of recreational outfitters for public use and offer tie-ups for boaters. Lake James
State Park is on part of the 150 miles of shoreline and offers a public swimming beach,
picnic areas, canoe rentals, restrooms, nature trails and camping facilities, welcoming
half a million visitors annually.
Lake James also touches Fonta Flora County Park and the Fonta Flora State Trail with
planned trail connections to Morganton and Asheville.
How did Lake James get here… this jewel of our economy, our lake way of life, and
our original source of hydroelectricity? In 1916, an historic flood along the Catawba
River prompted Southern Power Company (now Duke Energy) engineers to pursue
a series of interlocked reservoirs to help manage water levels and produce the
hydroelectric power that would drive the economic growth of the Piedmont Carolinas.
Lake James, completed in 1923, was the first of this system of lakes. The Duke
Energy dam continues to provide clean, renewable power to homes and businesses
in the Carolinas.
Above the surface, Lake James is surrounded by biodiverse North Carolina wild
country. The steep ridges support hardwoods, pines, and hemlocks. Come spring,
wildflower seekers can find pink lady slipper and Jack-in-the-pulpits. Mountain laurel,
rhododendron, and flame azalea are also abundant in the hilly terrain.
Keep an eye and ear out to witness deer, flying squirrel, red and gray fox, rabbit,
muskrat, and mink; those will be lucky sightings as these critters are elusive. Birds
include green heron, belted kingfisher, mallard and Canada geese. Bass, catfish,
crappie, and bluegill are the fish species that anglers are reeling in, and that support an
ecosystem within and around the lake.

The reservoir is named Lake James in honor of then-Duke
Power Company chairman James B. Duke.

burkecountychamber.org Harnessing the River 15 15