| Lake James | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Location | Western North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°44′52″N 81°52′43″W / 35.7478°N 81.8785°WCoordinates: 35°44′52″N 81°52′43″W / 35.7478°N 81.8785°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Catchment area | approximately 60 billion gallons of fresh, clean mountain water. |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 10.2 sq mi (26 km2) |
Lake James is a large reservoir in the mountains of Western North Carolina which straddles the border between Burke and McDowell Counties. It is named for tobacco tycoon and benefactor of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke. The lake lies behind a series of 4 earthen dams, and was created by Duke Power between 1916-1923 as a hydro-electric project.[1] It still generates power today, and is the uppermost lake on the Catawba River system.
Contents |
Development
Lake James contains 10.2 square miles (26 km2) of surface area and more than 150 miles (240 km) of shoreline. Housing development on the lake has been considerable since the 1980s, and is concentrated on its southern and eastern shores.[2] Most of the non-developed area around Lake James is owned by Crescent Resources, Inc., a joint venture between Duke Energy and Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund.
In 1999, several bald eagles were found nesting in trees on the northeastern shore of Lake James, stopping housing development in their vicinity.[3] A small species of jellyfish also lives in its waters.[4]
Crescent Resources is committed to low density, low impact development. 1780 and Old Wildlife Club can only have 1 home per 5 acres. Roughly 72 miles of the 150 miles of shoreline will never be developed. These developments include Black Forest, Dry Creek, 1780 and Old Wildlife Club. Black Forest is 600 acres and could have included 1200 homesites, but has only 54. Dry Creek is around 400 acres and was supposed to have 600 homesites, but has only 64.
1780 and Old Wildlife Club are unique communities in that they do not have a minimum square foot requirement for homes built. They do not allow homes over 6000 square feet. Only natural or natural looking materials are allowed. No brick, stucco, or vinyl allowed. The two communities do not allow clear cutting to the water, but do allow the owners to limb up trees to get a view. This ensures that the lake will continue to look natural and beautiful to both residents and boaters.
All waterfront lots in 1780 and Old Wildlife Club have a minimum of 200 feet of waterfront. Some lots have over half a mile of shoreline. Lots range in size between 1 to 8 acres. Larger lots can have family compounds, meaning multiple cottages (up to 3) can be built if the topography allows for it.
Attractions
Lake James State Park is located on the lake's southern shore. Crescent Resources worked with the State of North Carolina in 2004 to expand the state park, adding 3,000 acres (12 km2) to the park's original 605 acres (2.45 km2). This now represents North Carolina's largest waterfront State Park. http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/laja/main.php
Meetings of many of the Lake James area's housing associations are held at nearby Saint Paul's Episcopal Church.
In 1992 Lake James was a filming site for the Daniel Day-Lewis movie The Last of the Mohicans, where it doubled as Lake George, New York and a replica of Fort William Henry was constructed.
In the fall of 2006, the first of 3.5 miles of new pathways on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT) was certified by the National Park Service. The trail, which received its historic designation from President Jimmy Carter in 1980, commemorates the march of the “Overmountain Men,” a patriot militia who defeated the British at the Battle of Kings mountain during the Revolutionary War. The new section of the trail runs through the 1780 community, which is named after the year the militia marched through the Lake James area. Plans have been discussed to connect the OVNHT to the Mountains to the Sea Trail.
Unlike the smaller Lake Tahoma in Marion, Lake James allows jet skis, and encourages fishing and camping in designated areas.
Community
Lake James has a community website, operated by the Community of Lake James, Inc., located at http://www.communityoflakejames.com/.
Notes
- ^ NC Division of Parks and Recreation: Lake James State Park
- ^ Western Piedmont Council of Governments Economic Indicators Newsletter Fall 2006
- ^ US Fish and Wildlife Service American Bald Eagle Habitat Conservation Plan for the Lake James Project Burke and McDowell Counties, North Carolina [1]
- ^ Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Jellyfish Sightings 2003,2004,2005 [2]
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