Lake Norman
Built by Duke Power in 1963 it is 34 miles long and eight miles across at its widest point.
Built by Duke Power in 1963 it is 34 miles long and eight miles across at its widest point.
 Guide to Lake Norman |
Lake Norman in North Carolina. Information on its origin and building it, real estate around the lake, lake towns and counties, boating and fishing including lake access, marinas and boating clubs.
This lake is a lifestyle worth living! Built by Duke Power in 1963 it is 34 miles long and eight miles across at its widest point. It is 760 feet above sea level and 140 feet at its deepest point. Lake levels are an important factor in living or boating on the lake. In the beginning, homes, family farms, and entire towns were to end up underwater. Some landowners refused to sell their land, instead, trading it for land along the future lake. Lots were selling for $2,000.
In the beginning, Lake Norman was mainly weekend getaways for Charlotte NC residents on the south side and Winston-Salem residents on the north. Many weekenders put mobile homes on their waterfront lake property or built rustic shelters, comfortable enough for an overnight. They were more worried about piers, docks, boat houses, and ramps. Today you can still find lake lots or homes that have all of the above mentioned amenities. If you are lucky enough to find them, maintain them and their permits! They are grandfathered, but cannot be torn down and rebuilt.
 Information About Lake Norman |
Before 1963, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mooresville and the unincorporated Denver NC were small, rural towns. Lake Norman is located 20 miles north of Charlotte NC. Each town was a sleepy little town centered around cotton, agriculture, and textiles. When Duke Power dammed the Catawba River by building Cowans Ford Dam that all changed. It created NC’s largest man-made body of freshwater; Lake Norman. In 2013, Lake Norman celebrated its 50 year anniversary. Continue reading for more Lake Norman information.
In the 1920’s Duke began buying the land to build Lake Norman and by the 1950’s the company had almost all it needed. You could say the origin of the real estate boom began when some farmers sold their land to Duke and rented it back from them to keep farming or when others sold their land to Duke for as little as $80 an acre to as much as $1,000 an acre. They moved into the towns or on to other farms. History has proven, the smart ones sold their land that would be flooded and held on to what would become lakefront property. You won’t find Lake Norman real estate for sale at these prices today!
In September 1959 the first blast of dynamite for building the dam occurred. In the 4 years it took to build and fill Lake Norman it took between 1,200 and 1,500 engineers, laborers and managers to make the calculations, survey the land, build the dam and clear the land. Duke thought the lake would reach full pond in 1964, but heavy rains in the spring of 1963 filled the lake by the middle of July. Lake Norman has 32,500 acres of surface water, 520 miles of shoreline and 50 square miles of land used; about 25,000 football fields!
Of course the real purpose for damning the Catawba River and forming Lake Norman was to provide a dependable supply of water to adjoining counties – Iredell County, Lincoln County and Mecklenburg County. The water from Lake Norman is used to provide electricity to the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The three generating plants on Lake Norman: Cowans Ford Hydro Station, the original power station; Marshall Steam Station, a coal-burning steam-electric generating station on NC Highway 150; and the William B. McGuire Nuclear Station near the east abutment of Cowans Ford Dam.
Lake Norman lake levels are controlled by Duke Power with “full pond” being 100% full and as surveyed 760 degrees above sea level. The 760 line is important because it determines whether or not a property is in a Flood Zone. That will require flood insurance. In addition, the lake level also affects Lake Norman boating, fishing, lake access by boat ramps, boating club activities and marinas.
Duke’s Lake Management manages planting new trees, stocking the lake with fish and even controls the mosquito population. View information on Lake Norman’s Shoreline Stabilization Guide. Before you perform any shoreline stabilization work, contact Duke Energy Lake Services, they will help you work through the Lake Norman shoreline – stabilization permit and application process and provide the Lake Norman information you need to know before you start your project.
Duke Power provides 10 public access areas around the lake. Lake Norman State Park is 1,328 acres. It offers campsites and a public swimming area. The four counties surrounding the lake are invested in public parks.
 Towns on Lake Norman, Lake Norman Towns |
Get to know the Lake Norman towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Denver NC, Huntersville & Mooresville. Find your lifestyle in a town surrounding Lake Norman!
Before 1963 these small, rural Lake Norman towns were sleepy little towns centered around cotton, agriculture and textiles with the Catawba River nearby. That all changed when Duke Power dammed the river by building Cowans Ford Dam and created the largest man-made body of freshwater in North Carolina; Lake Norman.
In the mid 1990’s the Lake Norman towns began to see rapid growth. Each lake town has its own personality and has addressed growth in different ways. You’ll find eclectic mixes of housing, vibrant retail, office and village centers, industrial parks, an abundance of parks and green space, pedestrian and bicycle friendly streets and still some farming and agricultural areas.
As for education, Lake Norman towns offers some of the best and largest public school districts in NC as well as a good selection of private and charter schools. There are technical colleges, community and private colleges and universities within 45 minutes of Lake Norman.
 Counties Around Lake Norman |
There are four Lake Norman counties that border Lake Norman: Lincoln County, Mecklenburg County, Catawba County and Iredell County. They meet in the middle of the lake.
Just like the Lake Norman towns, you’ll want to narrow your property search by deciding on which of the Lake Norman counties fits your individual needs. It could mean better schools, lower taxes, or more public services. There’s a lot to decide!
Lake Norman is a lifestyle worth living! Built by Duke Power in 1963 it is 34 miles long and 8 miles across at its widest point. It is 760 feet above sea level and 140 feet at its deepest point.
Four highways surround Lake Norman and are used as reference points for each town. To the east is Interstate 77 (I-77), to the south is Highway 73, to the west is Highway 16 and the north is Highway 150.
Catawba County’s county seat is Newton but its largest city is Hickory NC and has a population of 154,810. It was named for the Catawba tribe of Native Americans, who once inhabited the area. Of the Lake Norman Counties, this one borders the north west side of Lake Norman.
Iredell County has a population of 159,437. Its county seat is Statesville, but its largest town is Mooresville. The county’s largest river, the Catawba, forms much of its western border leading into Lake Norman.
Located 29 miles northwest of Charlotte NC, Lincoln County offers lots of options and has a population of 78,000 people. East Lincoln County has shoreline on Lake Norman; in the middle, the City of Lincolnton is the county seat and West Lincoln County offers beautiful rich farm lands with rolling hills.
Charlotte NC is the county seat and largest city in Mecklenburg County. The population of Mecklenburg County is 990,977 people (by 2013 census estimates), making it both the most populated and densely populated county in North Carolina.
 Boating on Lake Norman |
Lake Norman boating varies from power boats and sailing to water skiing and paddle boarding. It can be dangerous if you don’t know the lake or boating laws.
Whether you live on Lake Norman, nearby or just visiting, Lake Norman offers so much to see and do! Lake activities include power boats, sailing, water skiing, paddle boarding, wake boarding, kayaking, canoeing, rowing and fishing. Whatever your boating style, Lake Norman boating has it!
Several full service marinas and boat clubs are scattered along Lake Norman’s shoreline. They offer everything from wet slips to dry storage. Widely available Lake access is also provided by state, county and town maintained parks and boat ramps with ample parking; most with picnic areas nearby.
Below is a list of several agencies and departments charged with keeping Lake Norman safe for everyone.
Before you go Lake Norman boating, you might want to check the Lake Level. Enjoy your time on Lake Norman! Stay safe by adding these phone numbers to your cell phone:
 Fishing on Lake Norman |
Lake Norman fishing is a year round activity. Find fish types, Lake Norman fishing regulations and local fishing guides. Annual national fishing tournaments.
If you like fishing, you’ll love Lake Norman fishing! It’s a year round activity on Lake Norman for all ages, from the novice to the pros including several national fishing tournaments are held on the lake annually. Early summer is considered the best time for Lake Norman fishing. Among the catches in Lake Norman are catfish, crappie, large-mouth bass, striped bass, as well as yellow and white perch.
The first time you try fishing on Lake Norman you might consider going with a guide. You will learn fishing techniques, types of tackle commonly used on the lake and some favorite fishing holes. Some of the local guides have won several local and regional Bass Tournaments.
 Marinas on Lake Norman |
Find Lake Norman marinas that offer various amenities from wet slips to fully enclosed dry storage facilities. For those who don’t own a boat, there are boat rentals and even boat charter companies. No matter what your boating lifestyle is, Lake Norman has it!
There are also boat maintenance companies that will come to your private dock to perform necessary maintenance work. Boat detailing companies throughout the Lake Norman area will clean your boat at your private dock or any other location where your boat is stored.
If you have never dry stored a boat before it’s a wonderful thing; call the marina and they drop the boat in the water for you, when you’re finished using it for the day dock it and they put it back in the dry storage facility. Dry storage also saves on cleaning and sun rot to boat covers, seats and carpet.
Most Lake Norman marinas offer a full range of services from wet slips to dry storage as well as boat maintenance programs and services including bottom painting, detailing and washing.
Don’t own a boat, left yours at home or need a bigger one for a family gathering or special occasion? No problem, find one to meet your needs below:
Having a special employee get together or meeting, maybe a wedding or anniversary celebration, not a problem on Lake Norman. Board one of these luxurious yachts from various Lake Norman marinas and enjoy the views while cruising Lake Norman. Learn more below:
223,516 people live in Lake Norman, where the median age is 43 and the average individual income is $62,757. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
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There's plenty to do around Lake Norman, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including K Craft Beer and Wine, CoCo Couture, and Davidson Strength Fitness.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining · $ | 4.06 miles | 15 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 3.86 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.67 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 2.24 miles | 19 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.28 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.18 miles | 6 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.73 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.85 miles | 16 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.27 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
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Lake Norman has 88,874 households, with an average household size of 3. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Lake Norman do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 223,516 people call Lake Norman home. The population density is 1,649.074 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
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75+ Years
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