Lake James

Geography

Lake James is a 7,000 acre man-made lake with 150 miles of shoreline located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. The lake was constructed by Duke Power (now Duke Energy) between 1916-1923 for production of hydro-electric power. Today, electricity continues to be generated by the power plant at the base of one of Lake James’ four earthen dams. The surface of the lake is 1200 feet above sea level.

The lake is fed principally by the Catawba River from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Linville River from Linville Gorge. Numerous small creeks and streams also contribute to the lake. Lake James is the first lake in the Catawba River system, a system that runs through portions of North and South Carolina.

Recreation

Lake James is a premiere recreational destination offering opportunities for boating, skiing, swimming, jetskis, fishing, picnicking, and camping. The Lake James State Park is a NC Park with over 3,600 acres of hiking/biking trails, rustic and modern camping areas, bathhouses, beaches, and picnicking facilities. Around the lake there are several public and commercial lake access areas for boat launches and retrievals.

Scenery

The clear water and dramatic vistas surrounding Lake James are keys to its popularity. Wooded shorelines and views of Table Rock Mountain, Short-Off Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain are spectacular year-round and have contributed to the lake’s selection as filming sites for the movies The Last of the Mohicans and Hunt for the Red October.