Water Recreation Safety
Before you go for a swim or boat ride in any lake, refresh your memory with some important safety reminders:
- Keep clear of power lines that cross the lake at several points. Contact with or arcing from these lines can be very dangerous. Lake levels can fluctuate due to power generation and weather conditions, and it’s difficult to determine the exact clearance of these power lines — particularly with sailboats.
- Stay 300 feet away from the upstream and downstream sides of the dam and powerhouse.
- When fueling up, turn off electrical equipment and DO NOT SMOKE!
- Do not enter the area directly below hydroelectric stations—also known as the tailrace. These areas are prone to a sudden rise and violent turbulence in the water. A flashing red beacon and/or sounding of a horn will alert you of this condition.
Boating Safety Coordinator
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Boater and Hunter Education
S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Contacts
Catawa County Sheriff
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Lakes Enforcement
York County Government