High Rock Lake

High Rock Lake is the northernmost lake in the reservoir chain of the Uwharrie Lakes and the second largest lake in the state of North Carolina to Lake Norman. The water covers an area of ​​61.43 square kilometers, the bank extends to a length of 587.39 kilometers. The lake begins with the confluence of the two rivers Yadkin River and South Yadkin River. The name is inspired by the nearby " High Rock Mountain", the highest mountain in the Uwharrie Mountains. It serves as a border between the two counties Davidson and Rowan and hydroelectric power generation. The lake is managed and used by the utility company Alcoa.

The lake is spanned by two bridges to the north, Interstate 85/US Highway 52 Bridge and the older bridge with the U.S. Highway 29/US Highway 70 and the North Carolina State Route 150 crossing the lake. Other bridges in the north cause the feeder to State Route via the inlet Abbotts Creek. Railway lines cross the southeastern part of the High Rock Lake and the Flat Swamp Creek. On the shores of Lake several cities and towns are located, including Lexington, Salisbury, Southmont, Linwood, High Rock and Spencer.

Sport Fishing

High Rock Lake has long been considered one of the best fishing lakes of North Carolina. Were at the lake and various tournaments are held in fishing, including the Bass Masters Classic. Live in the years 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2007 in the lake catfish and a few different sun cichlid. Striped bass, sea bass and its hybrids are also present in the lake. The lake is known for its quantity and quality of largemouth bass, attracting anglers from across the United States. This is mainly caused by the rather flat bed of the lake and the suitable habitat for perch.

Recreation area

The largest part of the lake shore is populated with residential areas of all income levels. All homes that have about 60 feet of shoreline and at the maximum water level of the lake about 2.5 meters deep water, have the right to build a private pier. Boathouses and ramps, however, are no longer allowed, only the existing structures grandfathered protection. In addition, there are public boat ramps that are available for free use of the lake are available. Some private ramps may also be used by the public for a small fee. Due to the changing water levels in the lake are floating all Piere created so that they can be used at low water. On the lake, there are no restrictions on the size or the engine of the watercraft, jet skis are for example allowed. After the lake lies first and foremost in a chain of lakes, the lake water is often dark and dirty, so swimming in High Rock Lake is not as popular as in other lakes. Around the lake are campgrounds available.

The drought of 2002

Low water records in the tributaries were caused by unusually dry weather during the drought in the southern states in 2002 and this resulted in extremely low water levels at High Rock Lake. This drought began in 1998 and were repeated until 2002, the last year of this drought was the worst for the lake. With water levels far below the full capacity of the lake, the fish began to die in the water due to overpopulation and lack of oxygen. Tourism declined massively and the population along the lake began to complain. When the level was eventually dropped to less than two meters above the water levels of inflows and thus about 7 meters was below the normal Seefüllung, joined the Federal and State authorities the High Rock Dam. So they forced the subsequent reservoirs such as the Badin Lake and Lake Tillery (both of which were normally filled ) to take over the task of supplying the lower reaches of the Yadkin / Pee Dee River with water. This allowed the High Rock Lake to recover to a level stand 5 feet below normal level before the level continues to fall. In the fall of 2002, the drought was inclined to an end and after one of the wettest months, had ever experienced the Yadkin Valley, the water levels were up to the autumn of 2003 in the region back to a normal level.

The drought of 2007/2008

Until March 2008 experienced North Carolina droughts that have been classified between " alarming " and " state of emergency ", with average rainfall, which were below the annual average for the entire state and the entire Yadkin - Peedee River Basin. For this reason, Alcoa maintains the water level in the lake is higher than usually to the season and thus prevents further lows before.

During the drought in 2003, neither fishermen nor other boats were allowed to drive on the lake. The number of dead fish corresponded to estimates about the number that would normally have been fished. The population seems to have survived the drought without further restrictions in 2007. The activities carried out fishing tournaments have been hampered further requirements.

Hydroelectric power station

High Rock Lake is one of four dams, the Yadkin Project dams wins the hydroelectricity for the surrounding communities. The entire project produces about 215 MW of electricity at full capacity.