For more Information on these and many other topics, see our Links page
Boating Safety and Education
See Boating Safety for more information. Note: A North Carolina law effective May 1, 2010 requires that North Carolina residents who are younger than 26 on or after May 1, 2010 are required to have proof of successfully completing a boater education course before operating a boat.
Boating Violations
To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call 911 if you believe it is an emergency situation or contact any Lake Wylie law enforcement unit. See contact numbers on our Law Enforcement Partners page.
In South Carolina you may also call the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, toll free, 24 hour Hot Line at 1-800-922-5431.
Buffers (Riparian Buffers)
Riparian buffers refer to forested or vegetated strips of land that border creeks, rivers and lakes for the purposes of water quality and ecological protection. Lake Wylie has documented water quality problems from excessive nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and run-off pollution. Establishing and enforcing riparian buffer ordinances are a vital way to protect the Catawba River and its lakes from runoff pollution, particularly from new development. There are rules in place to protect this 50' buffer.
North Carolina Riparian Buffer Rules http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/documents/FactSheet7-29-04.pdf
South Carolina Riparian Buffer Rules http://www.dhec.sc.gov/environment/ocrm/pubs/docs/buffers.pdf
York County, SC Buffer Ordinance, Adopted August 17, 2009 http://www.yorkcountygov.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=2CqZGx3faa8%3D&tabid=561&mid=1203
Buoys
Report missing or damaged buoys to the Lake Wylie Marine Commission, 704- 348-2736 or ademeny@centralina.org.
Buster Boyd Bridge
The Buster Boyd Bridge, a Lake Wylie landmark since 1923, spans the lake connecting NC 49 and SC 49 at the border between North and South Carolina. The bridge was named after a local farmer who campaigned for a bridge across the lake. The bridge was recently rebuilt to accommodate four lanes of traffic.
Catawba River Basin
The Catawba River begins on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in McDowell County, North Carolina. It flows east, then south into Lake Wylie on the North Carolina-South Carolina border and continues into South Carolina until it meets the Big Wateree Creek to form the Wateree River at Wateree Lake. The Catawba River was designated in 2008 as the Most Endangered River in the United States by American Rivers. The river is the life blood of the Catawba River Basin and its chain of lakes, including Lake Wylie, created to control the flow of water for power to the region. Learn more at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/public/ecoaddress/riverbasins/catawba.150dpi.pdf.
Catawba River District
The Catawba River District project is a private effort to protect 15,000 acres from NC 16 at Mountain Island Lake to Paw Creek on Lake Wylie through voluntary sustainable development and redevelopment. The goal is to create an environmental designation and establish strict standards for development along the river as a way to protect the Catawba River watershed and boost economic development. Organizers envision features such as 100 foot natural buffers, rain gardens, and a mandatory percentage of developed space left for tree canopy and landscaping to prevent runoff. Watch for news on the Catawba River District at www.lakewyliepilot.com .
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation (CRF)
The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is the non-profit Catawba River watchdog organization whose mission is to advocate for the protection and enhancement of the Catawba River "so that it will always sustain the human and wildlife populations that depend on it for life." It operates in the fourteen counties of the Catawba River watershed in North and South Carolina. See www.catawbariverkeeper.org.
Clean Marinas
Marinas on Lake Wylie may be officially certified as LWMC Clean Marinas when they volunteer to be reviewed and meet a set of environmentally responsible marina and boating standards established by the Marine Commission. LWMC Clean Marinas demonstrate a commitment to protect the lake’s water quality and promote clean boating practices. Visit our Clean Marinas page to learn more.
Events and Celebrations
July - Fourth of July Fireworks
Boats, cars, motorcycles and trucks alike find just the perfect spot near the Buster Boyd Bridge for the best view of the brilliant fireworks show. For more information, call the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, 803-831-2827, info@lakewyliesc.com.
October – Riversweep
At the annual Riversweep on the first Saturday in October, Lake Wylie lovers volunteer to clean trash and anything else purposely or accidentally dumped on the shoreline and in waters of the lake. For more information, call the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, 704-679-9494 or www.catawbariverkeeper.org.
December – Lights on the Lake Boat Parade
Boaters trim their vessels with lights and holiday décor and parade through the area around the Buster Boyd Bridge. For more information, call the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, 803-831-2827, info@lakewyliesc.com.
Fire Boats
Three fire boats are available to serve vessels or property requiring an on the water response: Charlotte Fire Department Station 38 at Shopton Road, New Hope Volunteer Fire Department’s "Chief Sloan Pettus" fire boat docked at Harbortowne Marina, and Tega Cay Fire Department’s “Marine Six” fireboat. Boats will respond to any incident regardless of location. Call 911 for any emergency.
Fishing Tournaments
Lake Wylie is the site of over 450 large and small fishing tournaments each year. For more information and a listing by month, see www.scfishingreport.com.
Hazards / Debris in the Lake
Debris such as tree limbs, docks, Styrofoam, etc. in the water may pose a hazard to boats, docks, wildlife and people. If you see a potential hazard, secure it to a dock or tree if you can do it safely. If not, note landmarks so you can identify the location.
In any case, call Duke Energy at 1-800-443-5193. Leave a number so someone can reach you if additional information is needed.
You can also notify any of the lake law enforcement units. See Law Enforcement below.
History
- The Catawba River was named for the Native American tribe who first lived in the area, the Catawba Indians. In their own language the Indians’ name for themselves is Yap Ye Iswe which means "People of the River."
- In 1899, Dr. Walker Gill Wylie, a physician, and his brother, Dr. Robert H. Wylie, conceived a plan to build a hydro station at India Hook Shoals near Rock Hill, S. C. to generate power to a nearby textile mill.
- Dr. Wylie and his brother incorporated the Catawba Power Company with financial backing from James “Buck” Duke.
- “Catawba Lake” was created in 1904 when the Catawba Hydro Station (Wylie Dam) was built thereby damming the Catawba River to make electricity.
- The dam was rebuilt and enlarged in1924 which expanded the lake to its current size.
- Catawba Lake or “the river” as it was commonly known, was renamed Lake Wylie in 1960 after Dr. Walker Gill Wylie. Dr. Wylie was a former president of the Southern Power Company which merged with the Duke Power Company in 1927.
- Lake Wylie is the oldest of seven man-made lakes created by Duke Power along the Catawba River to regulate water flow for hydroelectric power.
- The North Carolina General Assembly honored the memory of Dr. Gil Wylie on the 100th Anniversary of Lake Wylie by joint resolution on July 1, 2004. Read the joint resolution at http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2003/Bills/Senate/PDF/S1444v1.pdf.
- Lake Wylie is the drinking water source for Belmont and Rock Hill.
Invasive Plants and Fish
The invasive plants, Hydrilla and Alligatorweed, and the invasive Northern Snakehead fish, have been found in Lake Wylie. If allowed to flourish, each would have serious negative effects on the lake’s water quality and wildlife.
To learn how to identify invasive species, what you can do to protect the lake and what the Marine Commission is doing, visit our Invasive Species information page.
Lake Water Level
Duke Energy posts the Lake Wylie water level daily at http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.
Lake Wylie by the Numbers
- Oldest of 7 man-made lakes in the Catawba River chain.
- 32 miles long from the Mountain Island Dam in the north to the Wylie Dam in the south.
- 32 days for water to flow through the lake and back into the Catawba River.
- 325 miles of shoreline bordering both North and South Carolina
- 12,139 surface acres of water.
- 569.4 feet - full pond elevation.
- Normal target lake level – 97 feet year round.
- 94 feet – maximum depth; 23 feet – average depth.
- 6 public boat access areas.
- Touches 3 counties – York County, SC and Mecklenburg and Gaston, NC and 2 states – North and South Carolina.
- Site of 450 fishing tournaments each year with an average of 25 boats each.
- Over 50,000 registered boats in the 6 surrounding counties.
- Over 6000 people rented a kayak or canoe at the Whitewater Center in 2008.
- 5 bridges cross Lake Wylie.
- 8-10 times a day, trains cross the river.
- 1000 flights leave Charlotte Douglas International Airport daily. Most go over Mountain Island Lake and/or Lake Wylie.
- Over 3500 people per year camp on Lake Wylie shores.
- 5 power plants use Lake Wylie water to generate electricity.
Lake Wylie Covekeepers
Lake Wylie Covekeepers is a program of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. Covekeepers are volunteers who are part of a network of Covekeepers at other lakes along the Catawba River. They are trained to patrol the river to monitor and address environmental problems in partnership with local enforcement agencies and to advocate for the protection and preservation of the river. For more information, call 704-679-9494 or visit www.catawbariverkeeper.org.
Lake Wylie Marine Commission
See About Us.
Law Enforcement
Three counties operate Lake Units on Lake Wylie: Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties, NC and York County, SC. In addition, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officers also serve the lake. Learn more at our Law Enforcement Partners page.
Non emergency contacts:
- N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission – 919-707-0030
- S.C. Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division - 800-922-5431 (24/7) or 803-684-4078 (Mon-Fri., 9-5)
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Lake Enforcement - 704-588-1798
- York County Sheriff’s Office Boat Patrol Unit - 803-628-3059
- Gaston County Police Lake Unit – 704- 866-3320
Law Enforcement Facility
Lake Wylie law enforcement units have a waterfront facility and boathouse on Lake Wylie thanks to the persistent efforts of the Lake Wylie Marine Commission and the cooperation of local and state agencies. The facility enables faster responses to water emergencies. Learn more about the law enforcement facility at our Law Enforcement Facility page.
Location
Lake Wylie is located in the Catawba River Basin along the North Carolina – South Carolina border, just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, with highway access via SC 49, I-77 and I-85.
Maps
Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, 803-831-2827, info@lakewyliesc.com. Large two sided map of Lake Wylie and surrounding area with streets, business and attraction information.
Pilot Magazine, 800-732-8871, www.pilotmedia.us Large water resistant and tear proof maps and small laminated maps; longitude & latitude, marina locations, public access points and channel marks.
Kingfisher Maps: kfmaps.com Waterproof, tear resistant, GPS compatible, marina listings, lake structure, road network and more.
Online maps of Upper and Lower Lake Wylie. www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/wylie.pdf. and http://lakewylieliving.com/map.htm.
Marinas on Lake Wylie
For information on marina services, see the Piedmont Lakes Pilot, www.pilotmedia.us
- Commodore Yacht Club ** - 803-328-8803, 4010 Kingfisher Drive, York, South Carolina 29745 - Lake Wylie Marine Commission Certified Clean Marina
- Harbortowne Marina - 704-825-5050, 220 Commodore Court, Belmont, NC 28012
- Lake Club Marina - 803-324-2232, 4500 Harbor Inn Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732 - Lake Wylie Marine Commission Certified Clean Marina
- Lake Wylie Marina - 803-324-2201, 310 Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
- Long Cove Marina and Yacht Club ** - 704- 588-1467, 14624 Rainbarrel Road, Charlotte, NC 28278-7393
- Pier 49 Marina - 704-588-5464, 16310 York Road, Charlotte, NC 28278-5819
- River Hills Marina Club ** - 803-831-7286, Intersection of SC Hwy 49 and Heritage Drive - SC and Lake Wylie Marine Commission Certified Clean Marina
- Tega Cay Marina - 803-548-3715, 1 Marina Drive, Tega Cay, SC 29708 - Lake Wylie Marine Commission Certified Clean Marina
- Terry’s Marina - 704-588-0418, 14131 Pine Harbor Road, Charlotte, NC 28278-7341
- Tailrace Marina - 704-663-3478, Riverfront Community, Tuckaseegee Road, Mt. Holly, NC 28120, http://tailracemarina.com
** Private club
Muddy Water Watch
The Muddy Water Watch (MWW) is a state-wide effort to reduce stormwater runoff from construction sites by providing training developed specifically for citizens. Trained volunteers will be able to identify sedimentation and erosion violations from active construction sites and work with local inspectors and developers to oversee enforcement of the rules at construction sites. The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation offers local classes. For information: 704-679-9494 or www.catawbariverkeeper.org or www.muddywaterwatch.org.
No Wake Signs
The Lake Wylie Marine Commission sells No Wake Signs through local marinas and businesses in an effort to educate the public and promote safety on the lake. Learn more at our No Wake Signs page.
No Wake Zones
No Wake Zones are established by law on Lake Wylie by the Lake Wylie Marine Commission, the North Wildlife Resources Commission and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. No Wake Zones indicate a restricted boating area established in state laws to protect the safety of the public and property. In these areas, a vessel cannot proceed at greater than “idle” speed or the speed necessary to maintain steering. No Wake Zones are marked by buoys or signs. Learn more about laws and regulations governing Lake Wylie here.
To request consideration for a No Wake Zone from the Lake Wylie Marine Commission, read the No Wake Zone Policy and Procedure and complete the application found here, or contact the Marine Commission Clerk at ademeny@centralina.org.
Parks and Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 South New Hope Road,
Belmont, N.C. 28012
704-825-4490
www.dsbg.org
Open 7 days a week 9 AM – 5 PM
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a 450 acre site conserved in 1991 by textile magnate Daniel Stowe to create a world class botanical garden. It sits on the South Fork River section of Lake Wylie near Belmont, NC. It currently covers 110 acres, features landscaped gardens with distinct themes, an Orchid Pavilion and Visitors’ Center. It has been recognized as one of the top 20 gardens in the United States.
Ebenezer Park
4490 Boatshore Road,
Rock Hill, S.C.
803-366-6620
rockhillrocks.com/facilities.asp#regional
Ebenezer Park is a 26 acre park on Lake Wylie in York County, SC. It offers 71 campsites, picnic shelters, fishing, three boat ramps, and a public swimming beach which is staffed with lifeguards in the summer.
McDowell Nature Preserve
15222 York Road (HWY 49), Charlotte, N.C.
704-588-5224
http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec
McDowell Nature Preserve is a 1,115-acre park along the shores of Lake Wylie that includes more than seven miles of hiking trails, picnic sites, fishing sites, campgrounds, a public boat launch at Copperhead Island and the McDowell Nature Center with exhibits on nature plants and animals. There is a waterfront deck on the lake. Ninety percent of the preserve is undeveloped.
U.S. Whitewater Park
820 Hawfield Road,
Charlotte, NC 28214
704-391-3900
www.usnwc.org
Located on the Catawba River, the US National Whitewater Center is the world's largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. The 307-acre public adventure-sport facility includes whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking and hiking trails, a climbing center and a ropes course along with a conference center and the River's Edge Bar & Grill - all overlooking the rapids of the US National Slalom Canoe/Kayak Team.
Pollution
Many kinds of pollution threaten the quality of Lake Wylie’s water, the use of the lake for recreation and fishing and ultimately, the future of the lake. Learn how you can protect the lake at Muddy Water Watch at www.muddywaterwatch.org and from the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, www.catawbariverkeeper.org.Learn to identify possible pollutants and where to report pollution at www.lakewyliemarinecommission.org, Protecting the Environment.
Power Plants
- Lake Wylie Hydroelectric Station has four generating units. It was named for Dr. Gil Wylie, first president of Southern Power Company, a predecessor company of Duke Energy. It is located on the Catawba River in York County, SC near Fort Mill, SC.
- Allen Steam Station is a five unit coal-fired power generating facility located in Gaston County, NC. In 2006, Duke Energy began installing scrubbers to reduce the station’s sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 95 percent. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.
- Catawba Nuclear Station is located in York County. SC. The lake provides cooling water for the Station. Catawba is one of three nuclear stations operated by Duke Power. The three stations provide electricity to approximately half of Duke Energy’s customers in the Carolinas.
Public Access Areas
In addition to the marinas on the lake, Duke Energy provides public boat access areas. See maps of public access areas at http://www.duke-energy.com.Upper Lake Wylie
- Allen Fishing Access Area
- South Point Access Area
- Stowe Botanical Garden 704-825-4990
Lower Lake Wylie
- Copperhead Access Area 704-588-5224
- Buster Boyd Access Area
- McDowell Nature Preserve 704-588-5224
- Lake Wylie Marina 803-831-2101
- River Hills Marina 803-831-7286
- Carolina Crossing Marina 704-588-5463
- Allison Creek Access Area
- Nivens Creek Access Area
- Ebenezer Access Area 803-366-6620
- Fort Mill Access Area
- Lake Club Marina 1-803-324-2232
- Tega Cay Marina 1-803-548-3715
Publications
- Lake Wylie Pilot - www.lakewyliepilot.com
- Piedmont Lakes Pilot: The Complete Marine Service and Waterfront Living Guide www.pilotmedia.us
- Lake Wylie Living -www.lake-wylie.com
SPLASH
SPLASH is the Lake Wylie Marine Commission’s talking robot boat who is available to visit kids anywhere to teach them about being safe and having fun around water! Learn more and arrange for a visit from SPLASH on our Just for Kids page.
Towing Service
- Towboat US Lake Wylie, 704-588-5464 or 800-391-4869; salvage, spill cleanup, repairs, and transportation.
Learn more at Boat US, www.boatus.com/towing.