Water Access Alerts
Mar. 1 – Oct. 30, Duke Energy will be conducting a Recreation Use and Needs Study of the Catawba-Wateree Lakes to assess the use of Duke Energy owned public recreation sites and identify potential needs. The study includes the installation of traffic and trail counters at each site as well as posting clerks on certain days to interview users regarding their experiences using Duke Energy access areas. Additionally, QR codes to online surveys have been posted at each access area to allow users to conveniently provide feedback. Duke Energy values your input and encourages all users to provide feedback during the study. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard in a manner that can make a difference.
The majority of storm related lake debris has been addressed throughout the system, however, we continue to urge the public to maintain vigilance as lake levels fluctuate potentially exposing additional hazards.
Unless specified below, all access areas have reopened. This status applies only to access areas managed by Duke Energy. For access areas managed by other entities, please refer to the operating organization for updates.
Duke Energy Swim Beaches
- Molly Creek Access Area – Lake Wateree, S.C. – Updated Sept. 5, 2024 - The swim beach at the Molly Creek Access Area is closed for the season and will reopen on May 23, 2025.
- Colonels Creek Access Area – Lake Wateree, S.C. – Updated Sept. 5, 2024 – The swim beach at the Colonels Creek Access Area is closed for the season and will reopen on May 23, 2025.
- South Point Access Area – Lake Wylie, N.C. – Updated Sept. 5, 2024 – The swim beach is closed for the season and will reopen May 23, 2025. This site is leased by Gaston County. Please refer to their website for up-to-date information.
- Pines Recreation Area – Lake Glenville, N.C. – Updated Mar. 10, 2025 – The Pines Recreation swim beach will reopen May 23, 2025 and will operate seasonally moving forward.
Catawba-Wateree
Lake Norman
- Updated Sept. 20, 2024 – The Stumpy Creek Boat Landing will be temporarily closed beginning Oct. 7, 2024 for renovations. The anticipated re-opening is Spring 2025. For alternate boat launching sites, please visit: Recreation Sites & Water Access Points.
- Beatty’s Ford Access Area – Updated Sept. 5, 2024 – For information about the Beatty’s Ford Park improvements, please refer to the Lincoln County Parks and Recreation website.
- Ramsey Creek Access Area – Updated Jan. 6, 2025 – The Ramsey Creek Access Area boat ramps will be closed for maintenance starting Jan. 13, 2025. Maintenance is expected to be completed by May 30, 2025.
- Ramsey Creek Park will remain open during the maintenance of the boat ramps. For more information about Ramsey Creek Park and its hours of operation visit: Ramsey Creek Beach | Park and Recreation.
Lake Wylie
- Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area and Mountain Island Park – Updated Aug. 16, 2022 – Duke Energy is completing maintenance work on Mountain Island Dam. As a result, Mountain Island Park and the associated tailrace fishing platforms will be closed starting Sept. 7, 2022. The work should be completed by early 2026 at which time the access area will be reopened.
- Allison Creek Access Area – Updated Nov. 14, 2023 – The Allison Creek Access Area is now open under the management of York County. Camping reservations can be made by visiting www.campspot.com or calling the park office at 803.323.2035. Picnic shelter reservations can be made either in person or by phone. Please refer to the York County website for additional information and future updates.
- Ebenezer Park – updated Jan. 24, 2025 – Ebenezer Park is closed for renovations and will remain closed until complete. Anticipated re-opening is spring 2025. Please refer to the York County website for updates.
Yadkin-Pee Dee
Blewett Falls Lake
- Blewett Falls Tailrace Fishing Area – Updated Jan. 19, 2024 – Blewett Tailrace Fishing Platform is closed to the public. A new fishing platform is currently scheduled to open to the public on June 1, 2025.
Nantahala
Nantahala Lake
- Rocky Branch Access Area – Updated Mar. 17, 2025 – The fishing pier is currently closed for repairs. It will be reopened once the damage has been assessed and repaired.
Main Stem of the Tuckasegee
Tuckasegee River
- Lena Davis Access Area – Updated Mar. 31, 2025 – The parking lot and take-out at Cullowhee Dam are now open, but the put-in will remain closed until repairs are completed. We anticipate that all repair work will be finished by June 30, 2025.
Pigeon River
Pigeon River
- Pigeon River Access – Updated Oct. 10, 2024 – The Pigeon River Access is closed, due to damage sustained from high flows. The site will reopen once repairs are complete.
- Walters Picnic Area and Fishing Trail – Updated Oct. 10, 2024 – The Walters Picnic Area and Fishing Trail is closed, due to damage sustained from high flows. The site will reopen once repairs are complete.
Broad River
Ninety-Nine Islands
- Ninety-Nine Islands Canoe Portage - Updated Nov. 12, 2024 – The portage trail from the Ninety-Nine Islands reservoir to the Tailrace Access Area is closed to the public. It will remain closed while the station performs restoration activities to the forebay that are expected to continue until Spring 2025.
- Ninety-Nine Islands Tailrace Access Area - Updated Oct. 28, 2024 – The Broad River shoreline shifted, and the Ninety-Nine Islands Tailrace Access Area has been impacted. The site is open to the public; however, the boat ramp and fishing platform do not provide access to the Broad River.
Keowee-Toxaway
Lake Keowee
- World of Energy – Updated Jan. 28, 2025 – The fishing pier and courtesy dock are temporarily closed as repairs to the fishing pier take place. The site will reopen once repairs are complete.
Foothills Trail
At this time, access to the Foothills Trail network through Duke Energy owned property, either by foot or boat, is restricted. For more information regarding the condition of the Foothills Trail or volunteer opportunities please visit the Foothills Trail Conservancy website at foothillstrail.org.
- Bad Creek Trail Access - Updated October 23, 2024 - The Bad Creek Trail Access area is closed until further notice, due to the condition of the Foothills Trail. The site will reopen once repairs to the trail are complete.
- Horsepasture River Trail Access - Updated October 23, 2024 - The Horsepasture River Trail Access (boat access from Lake Jocassee) is closed until further notice, due to the condition of the Foothills Trail. The site will reopen once repairs to the trail are complete.
- Laurel Fork Creek Falls Access - Updated October 23, 2024 - The Laurel Fork Creek Falls Access area (boat access from Lake Jocassee) is closed until further notice, due to the condition of the Foothills Trail. The site will reopen once repairs to the trail are complete.
- Laurel Valley Access - Updated January 27, 2025 - The Laurel Valley Access area is open if hiking east towards Sassafras and Table Rock State Park. The trail is still closed hiking west towards Laurel Valley.
- Toxaway River Access - Updated October 23, 2024 - The Toxaway River Access (boat access from Lake Jocassee) is closed until further notice, due to the condition of the Foothills Trail. The site will reopen once repairs to the trail are complete.
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