If you wish to paddle the other sections of the Catawba River Blueway (see "View Connector Trails") you will need car because there are no portage trails.
Lake Norman is home to the towns of Davidson, Denver, Cornelius, Huntersville and Mooresville. Located only 15 miles from uptown Charlotte, Lake Norman provides an escape from the city and connection to nature. Created in 1963 by Duke Energy, Lake Norman is 34 miles long and offers numerous attractions to explore.
"Lake Norman is an "inland sea" with 520 miles of shoreline and a surface area of more than 32,475 acres. Named after former Duke Power president Norman Cocke, Lake Norman is nearly as large as the other ten lakes on the Catawba combined. Full pond elevation at Lake Norman is 760 feet. The water of Lake Norman is used in two ways to provide electricity to the Piedmont Carolinas. It is used to power the generators at Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station and by Marshall Steam Station and McGuire Nuclear Station to cool the steam that drives the turbines. This steam is condensed back to water so it can be pumped back through the plants and used again. The lake provides a dependable supply of water to Lincoln County, Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Huntersville, North Carolina.
Duke Energy partnered with the state in the establishment of the Lake Norman State Park. In addition, Duke Energy has built two bank fishing areas and eight public boating access areas along the shoreline. One site is leased to Mecklenburg County and one to Iredell County." - Duke Energy - Lake Norman
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT EVEN THE EASIEST SECTIONS OF THE RIVER CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS DURING PERIODS OF HIGH WATER FLOW.
It is strongly recommended that you check the release schedule for the dam above the section that you are paddling before starting the trip because water levels can increase quickly on the Catawba. Information about scheduled releases and the impact on downstream flow on the Lake Norman section of the Catawba River is available on the Duke Energy website or by calling 800-829-5253.
Available Paddling Services:
(980) 222-4470
Duke Energy manages the following boat launches:
Lake Norman State Park manages Lake Norman State Park access.
Ramsey Creek Park and Blythe Landing are managed by Mecklenburg County-North Region Park and recreation
The Lake Norman section of the Catawba River has a number of boat launches located along this corridor. The north most put-in is located at the Long Island Access Area in Catawba, NC.
Launch 1: Long Island Access
Address - 8400 Long Island Road, Catawba, NC 28609 MAP
Launch 2: Lake Norman State Park Access (Approximately 5.5 miles from Long Island Access)
Address - 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC 28166 MAP
*Please note: You can not see this access from the water.
Launch 3: Stumpy Creek Access (Approximately 5.5 miles from Lake Norman State Park, 6.5 miles from Long Island Access)
Address - State Rd 1301, Mooresville, NC 28117 MAP
Launch 4: Pinnacle Access (Approximately 2.5 miles from Stumpy Creek Access)
Address - 1580 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117 MAP
Launch 5: McCrary Access (Approximately 1 mile from Pinnacle Access)
Address - 1459 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117 MAP
Launch 6: Hagers Creek Access (Approximately 3.5 miles from McCrary Access)
Address - 788 State Road 1115, Mooresville, NC 28117 MAP
Launch 7: Little Creek Access (Approximately 2.5 miles from Hagers Creek Access)
Address - 4906 Burton Lane, Denver, NC 28037 MAP
Launch 8: Beattys Ford Access (Approximately 6.5 miles from Little Creek Access)
Address - 8335 Seipel Dr, Denver, NC 28037 MAP
Launch 9: Ramsey Creek Access (Approximately 5.5 miles from Beattys Ford Access)
Address - 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, NC 28078 MAP
Launch 10: Blythe Landing Access (Approximately 2 miles from Ramsey Creek Access)
Address - 15901 NC Highway 73, Huntersville, NC 28078 MAP
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