Alcoa Power Generating Inc. Yadkin Division Yadkin Project Relicensing (FERC No. 2197) Regional Recreation Evaluation Final Study Report April 2005 Table of Contents SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Study Purpose.................................................................................................................. 3 1.2 Study Methods................................................................................................................. 3 1.2.1 Data Collection....................................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Regional Recreation Review................................................................................... 3 1.2.3 Characterization of Regional Recreation Resources............................................... 6 1.2.4 Comparison of Yadkin Project Recreation Resources with Other Regional Resources ................................................................................................................ 9 1.2.5 Review of Yadkin Area Recreation Plans and Future Opportunities ..................... 9 2.0 Yadkin Project Recreation Resources.............................................................................. 9 2.1 High Rock Reservoir........................................................................................................ 9 2.1.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources....................................................................... 10 2.1.2 Recreational Experience....................................................................................... 12 2.1.3 Tourism................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Tuckertown Reservoir.................................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources....................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Recreational Experience....................................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Tourism................................................................................................................. 15 2.3 Narrows Reservoir......................................................................................................... 15 2.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources....................................................................... 15 2.3.2 Recreational Experience....................................................................................... 16 2.3.3 Tourism................................................................................................................. 17 2.4 Falls Reservoir............................................................................................................... 18 2.4.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources....................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Recreational Experience....................................................................................... 18 2.4.3 Tourism................................................................................................................. 19 3.0 Other Regional Reservoir Recreation Resources........................................................... 19 3.1 Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project....................................................................................... 19 3.1.1 Lake Tillery........................................................................................................... 20 3.1.2 Blewett Falls Lake ................................................................................................ 22 3.2 Harris Lake..................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources....................................................................... 24 3.2.2 Recreational Experience....................................................................................... 25 3.2.3 Tourism................................................................................................................. 25 3.3 Hyco Lake...................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.1 Inventory of Recreation Resources....................................................................... 25 3.3.2 Recreational Experience....................................................................................... 26 3.3.3 Tourism................................................................................................................. 26 3.4 Catawba-Wateree Project............................................................................................... 27 3.4.1 Lake James............................................................................................................ 27 3.4.2 Lake Rhodhiss....................................................................................................... 30 3.4.3 Lake Hickory........................................................................................................ 32 3.4.4 Lookout Shoals Lake ............................................................................................ 34 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Yadkin Hydroelectric Project Regional Recreation Evaluation Final Study Report FERC No. 2197 April 2005 i 3.4.5 Lake Norman ........................................................................................................ 35 3.4.6 Mountain Island Lake........................................................................................... 39 3.4.7 Lake Wylie............................................................................................................ 41 3.4.8 Fishing Creek Lake............................................................................................... 43 3.4.9 Great Falls/Rocky Creek Lakes ............................................................................ 45 3.4.10 Lake Wateree ........................................................................................................ 46 3.5 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects ........................................................................ 49 3.5.1 W. Kerr Scott Reservoir........................................................................................ 49 3.5.2 John H. Kerr Reservoir ......................................................................................... 51 3.5.3 Falls Lake.............................................................................................................. 55 3.5.4 B. Everett Jordan Lake.......................................................................................... 57 3.6 Additional Smaller Reservoirs....................................................................................... 60 4.0 Other Recreation Resources........................................................................................... 61 4.1 National and State Forests ............................................................................................. 61 4.1.1 Uwharrie National Forest...................................................................................... 62 4.1.2 Pisgah National Forest .......................................................................................... 63 4.1.3 Sumter National Forest ......................................................................................... 64 4.1.4 Sand Hills State Forest.......................................................................................... 65 4.1.5 Educational State Forests...................................................................................... 65 4.2 State Parks and State Recreation Areas ......................................................................... 66 4.2.1 South Mountains State Park.................................................................................. 67 4.2.2 Crowders Mountain State Park ............................................................................. 68 4.2.3 Pilot Mountain State Park ..................................................................................... 68 4.2.4 Hanging Rock State Park...................................................................................... 69 4.2.5 Eno River State Park............................................................................................. 70 4.2.6 Raven Rock State Park.......................................................................................... 71 4.2.7 William B. Umstead State Park ............................................................................ 72 4.3 Boones Cave Park.......................................................................................................... 72 4.4 Dan Nicholas Park ......................................................................................................... 73 4.5 Wildlife Refuges and Nature Preserves ......................................................................... 73 4.5.1 Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve...................................................... 73 4.5.2 Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge.......................................................................