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| Safe boating is no accident. |
The Lake Norman Marine Commission has been advised that the
following Aids To Navigation (ATONs) are in need of repair, non functioning,
missing or not in their proper location.
Main Channel Markers
Creek Channel Markers
Shoal Markers, Shoal Buoys, No Wake Buoys & Rock Markers
- Shoal Marker - At Midtown Sundries - Light Out -replace
- Shoal Marker - Adjacent to Island between Markers 2 and 2A light out- repair
- Shoal Marker - Adjacent to Marker D3- Missing - Replace
- Shoal Marker - North of Marker D1 - Sign Missing on North side
- Shoal Marker is adjacent to the shoal marker with an Osprey nest on it
- Shoal Marker - Adjacent to Marker 6-Light Out - repair
- Shoal Marker - South of Marker 15A - Sign Missing - replace
- Rock Marker Buoy - South of Marker 19 - washed ashore - retrieve and reposition
- Bridge Buoy - West side of Governors Island - repair light
Bridge Buoys
Priority Projects
New Projects
Progress Report
Notes:
Lake Norman water levels that causes access ramps to closed because
they are not safe or unusable.
- Long Island Access Area - 91.0 or 9.0' below full pond
- Stumpy Creek Access
Area - 91.0 or 9.0' below full pond
- Pinnacle Access Area - 91.5 or 8.5'
below full pond
- McCrary Creek Access Area - 91.5 or 8.5' below full pond
- Hagars Creek Access
Area - 91.5 or 8.5' below full pond
- Little Creek Access Area - 93.0 or
7.0' below full pond
- Beatties Ford Access Area - 91.0 or 9.0' below full
pond
- Blythe Landing - 95.0 or 5.0' below full pond
- Ramsey Creek Park - 96.0
or 4.0' below full pond
Lake Norman Safety
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| Red Day Marker. |
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| Green Day Marker. |
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| Shoal Marker. |
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No Wake Buoy.
Photos courtesy of Capt. Gus Gustafson. |
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Each year the winter draw down of Lake Norman's water level exposes
serious hazards to navigation, including rocks, stumps, humps, sandbars, etc.
As the lake fills, shallow water covers many of these perilous areas during
the summer. Danger spots are everywhere. Some are identified by channel/shoal
markers and buoys, but many are not. "Boater beware" should always
be on your mind when navigating in unfamiliar waters. A quality lake map, GPS,
and a good depth finder are necessary for safe boating experiences. The following
are specific locations and types of conditions that pose hazardous situations
on Lake Norman.
Channel Marker adjacent to Shoal Marker(s): Do NOT pass between the two markers.
This is NOT the channel. The markers are identifying the area between as a
hazard. On the main river channel there are several such areas. Shoals are
located at markers 1A, 2A, 6, 10, and 15A. Shoals also are in proximity to
creek channel markers R4, R5, D3, D4, D8, T1, T2, T4 and M1. These areas should
be identified as danger zones on your area lake map.
Islands: Most of Lake Norman's beautiful islands are continuations of adjacent
points of land. The water between the point and the island is often very shallow.
Therefore, to avoid stumps, rocks and gravel just under the water, it is prudent
to maneuver around the outside of the island. Few island passes afford adequate
warning information. A good example is the chain of islands on the Denver side
of the lake, beginning with Governor's Island and continuing south toward the
point of land near the end of Unity Church Rd. These islands are surrounded
by shallow water and numerous hazards.
Shoals: The dictionary defines a shoal as "a shallow place in a body of
water". Lake Norman has too many of them to identify with markers and
buoys. One of the lake's most dangerous shoal areas is south of marker R1.
It is dotted with a line of shoal markers, indicating a flooded road bed that
was once the northern portion of Beatties Ford Rd. Upriver, multiple shoal
markers identify the low water adjacent to marker 15A. This area is particularly
dangerous since the shoals are in a high traffic area in a turn on the river
channel.
Rocks: Rocks are a boater's worst underwater enemy. They damage or destroy
hundreds of boat propellers annually. Rocks and rock piles are scattered throughout
Lake Norman. Most are not identified by signs or markers.
Congested Areas: No-wake areas near marinas, gas docks, yacht clubs and lakeside
restaurants are particularly dangerous due to heavy boat traffic. When approaching
such areas, all passengers should watch for dangerous passing situations.
Bridges: Pilings obstruct the view of oncoming boat traffic. For this reason,
area bridges are considered to be no-wake zones. No wake means NO WAKE. If
you can see a wake behind your boat, you are going too fast. Also consider
a boat's vertical clearance when passing beneath a bridge. Bridge clearances
change with the water level and with wave and boat wake disturbances.
Catawba River: The river section of Lake Norman from Buffalo Shoals, north
to Lookout Shoals Dam, is not marked. During periods of low water levels, portions
of the river channel are un-navigable. It is unwise to venture north of Bill's
Marina unless you are in a shallow draft boat and are with someone who is familiar
with the channel.
Moving water: Water current poses another set of challenges for an unfamiliar
boater. Boaters need to know that water runs almost continuously in the discharge
canals at the Marshall and McGuire Power Stations. Strong currents also occur
upriver during flood conditions and when water is being discharged from Lookout
Shoals Dam.
Protruding Structures: Water intakes and long boat docks are particularly dangerous
when navigating at night. These structures are not always lit and might lack
reflective devices that make them visible. To avoid a hazardous collision,
run at a considerable distance from shore.
Unlit Aids to Navigation and Boats: Not all markers, buoys and boats are properly
lit during low light conditions. Navigating at night should be at reduced speeds
and with additional people to watch.
Ten Dangerous Places on Lake Norman
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Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus
Gustafson.
One of the many dangerous rocky points on Lake Norman. |
Lake Norman's topography lends itself to quick changes in water
depths. There are numerous places where depths vary from deep to very shallow
within a very short distance. Ten of Lake Norman's most dangerous high traffic
shoal areas are identified below.
MAIN CHANNEL:
Marker 1 - This is the first green marker on the left side of the river channel
heading north from Cowans Ford Dam. The area immediately to the west of the
marker is extremely shallow and is covered with large rocks.
Marker 1A - The second green marker as you travel away from the dam, identifies
a large hard bottom shoal. It juts a considerable distance into the main body
of the lake and is of particular concern when cruising south. The green light
is often obscured by the brighter lights of the nuclear plant. In addition
to the green marker, two shoal markers also identify the area.
Marker 2A - Rocks are just below the surface between Marker 2A and the shoal
marker located a few hundred feet to the east. Be certain to keep both markers
to the starboard side as you pass.
Marker 6 - A red marker positioned off a long point that protrudes into the
lake. Shallow water is between the channel and the shoal markers. Do not attempt
to pass between them or try to go inside the shoal markers and the adjacent
point of land.
Marker 15A - This shoal is considered by many boaters to be the most treacherous
spot on the lake. Four white shoal markers and a lighted green marker identify
the vast area. The shallow area is a the turn in the river channel just north
of the Marshall Steam Station's hot water discharge canal.
CREEK CHANNELS:
Marker R4 - This red marker identifies a large shallow point to the right when
you leave Blythe Landing and head toward Ramsey Creek.
Marker D3 – A green marker and a companion shoal marker identify the
shallow area north of the channel. The bottom is hard clay with rocks and large
stumps. Many boats have run aground in this high traffic area.
Marker D4 - The shoal to the south of this marker is hit many times throughout
the year by boats traveling from the Peninsular Yacht Club to Reed Creek.
Marker T4 - Some say this Davidson Creek marker is the most dangerous spot
in Mecklenburg County. Rocks cover portions of the shoal on the path to the
I-77 Causeway and the North Harbor Club Restaurant.
Marker M1 - This marker is next to a sand bar in the middle of Mountain Creek.
The bar is also marked by four danger buoys without lights. Pass the area on
the north side to avoid hitting bottom.
Lake Norman Vertical Bridge Clearances
The Catawba River Channel that winds through Lake Norman is spanned by five major bridges. One of which is a picturesque railroad bridge that passes over the river near the town of Catawba, NC. Sixteen additional bridges cross creeks or connect exclusive island properties to the mainland. Listed below are the approximate vertical bridge clearances when the lake is at full pond (760 feet above sea level). Wave height must be factored in when boat clearances are tight. The bridge clearances shown have been gathered from lake observations and information provided by the Lake Norman Marine Commission.
- I-40 Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- Highway 70 Bridge - Catawba
River - over 10' 0"
- Railroad Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- Railroad Bridge - Buffalo
Creek - 3' 0"
- Buffalo Shoals Rd. Bridge - Catawba River - over 10' 0"
- State Rd.
1832 - Balls Creek - 5' 6"
- Windermere Island Bridge - Catawba River -
over 10' 0"
- Mollys Backbone Rd. Bridge - Terrapin Creek - 2' 0"
- State Park Rd.
Bridge - Hicks Creek - 3' 0"
- Perth Rd. Bridge - Rocky Creek - 3' 0"
- Perth Rd. Bridge - Cornelius
Creek - 5 '3"
- Cornelius Rd. Bridge -Cornelius Creek - 4 '0"
- Highway 150 Bridge -
Catawba River - 8' 5" & 11' 1"
- Highway 150 Bridge - Mountain
Creek - 5' 9"
- Highway 150 Bridge - Reed Creek (LKN Marina) - 5' 9"
- Mount Pleasant
Rd. Bridge - Mountain Creek - 5' 5"
- Railroad Bridge - Mountain Creek
- 6' 3"
- Slanting Bridge Rd. - Mountain Creek - over 10' 0"
- Governors Island
Rd. Bridge - East of Burton Creek - 7' 10"
- Williamson Rd. Bridge - Reeds
Creek - 6' 0"
- I - 77 Bridge - Reeds Creek - 10' 3"
Boater Beware
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Picture of The poorly
lighted abandoned water intake in the mouth of Davidson Creek.
Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus Gustafson.
|
The vastness of Lake Norman makes it difficult to navigate, especially at
night. Hidden shoals take a huge toll on boat bottoms and propellers. Some
hazards are covered by water, while others float or protrude well above the
surface. At night, flotsam, boats without lights, bridges, water intakes and
unlit buoys or markers, are a few of the perils that boaters should avoid.
Arguably, the twenty or so odd bridges that span our lake are the most dangerous
of all hazards. Bridges funnel boat traffic into very narrow spaces and create
congestion and crisscrossing of traffic. Only one bridge, (Windermere Island
Bridge) is a lighted bridge. The absence of lights makes bridges difficult
to see at night, even in the moonlight.
Vertical and horizontal clearances of all bridges should be considered. The
slightest error could cause a serious collision. To make matters worse, some
bridge pilings have underwater footers for additional support. Depending on
the lake level, a footer can be just below the surface and can cause damage
to a passing vessel. When possible, pass between the spans with the highest
and widest set of pilings. Bridge pilings also act as dams by trapping debris
that moves with wind and water currents. As with other floating debris, such
areas should be avoided.
Water intakes are large cement structures that protrude into the lake. The
most obvious is the abandoned Mecklenburg County Water intake at the mouth
of Davidson Creek - the one with the big Osprey nest on top. Not only does
it stretch for several hundred feet into the lake, but it is very close to
the highly traveled Davidson Creek channel. It is poorly lit and particularly
dangerous at night. Be sure to waypoint the location on your GPS. If you should
hit it, you will know it.
Boat docks also pose serious danger. Those of particular concern are the oversized
docks that jut far into the lake. Much like the bridges, most are without lights
or reflectors. Stay in open water and between the red and green channel markers.
Don't hug the shoreline during the day or at night.
There are fifty or more unlit shoal and channel markers in the waters of Lake
Norman. Some are adjacent to high-traffic creek or river channels and pose
a serious threat to boaters at night. The Marine Commission is working on a
program to light every marker on the lake. Currently, the Commission is under
funded and in search of additional funds.
