Lake Norman

The Catawba River Chain's Cowan's Ford Dam, which was being constructed by Duke Energy, is what gave rise to Lake Norman, the largest artificial lake in our state. This stunning lake spans sections of four counties, with 520 miles of shoreline, and a surface size of more than 32,475 acres. Experiences at Lake Norman include colorful sunsets, waterfront dining, cruises, regattas, and, of course, the possibility of seeing Normie, the Lake Norman Monster! Fishing, boating, skiing, paddle and wakeboarding, swimming, riding, and hiking paths are just a few of the outdoor pastimes available in our inland sea.

The majority of North Carolina, including Lake Norman, has a humid subtropical climate with warm to hot summers and cool to mild winters. The Piedmont region of the Carolinas receives its electricity from Lake Norman. It fuels the hydroelectric plant at Cowans Ford Dam, the coal-fired Marshall Steam Station, and the nuclear power plant at McGuire to cool the reactors while producing the steam that powers the turbines. Lincoln County, Catawba County, Iredell County, Charlotte, and other communities in Mecklenburg County, including Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville, all receive water from the lake.

Location: Catawba / Iredell / Lincoln / Mecklenburg counties