The Catawba River Basin is home to some of the best scenery and recreation throughout all of North and South Carolina. Whether you’re looking for fishing, hiking, biking, boating, or just a place to relax by a flowing river or on the shores of a lake, you’ll find everything you’re looking for among the diverse terrain of the Catawba River Basin. Known for its beauty from the North Carolina Mountains, through the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, and into South Carolina, as well as for the numerous lakes etched into its course like the beautiful Lake Norman, the Catawba River is a great place to visit year round.
About the Catawba River Basin
Originally home to the Catawba Indian and Wataree Tribes, peoples of the river, the Catawba-Wateree River basin is now home to two million people. Flowing for 320 miles from the headwaters in the mountains, through 24 counties and two states, finally meeting up with the Great Falls in South Carolina and changing names thereafter. Including over 5000 miles of waterways, the Catawba River Basin is almost entirely dammed, providing both energy and water supply to the many communities it runs through, as well as numerous lakes!
Lake Norman in the Catawba River Basin
After leaving the mountains headed for the East Coast, the Catawba River finally makes a turn due south just downstream of the Lookout Shoals Dam, which created North Carolina’s largest lake, Lake Norman. Central to the community since its creation in 1964. With over 500 miles of coastline, the lake provides water and energy to the many Carolina communities bordering its beauty.
Before it was dammed, Lake Norman was another stretch of river, and as a lake is still much like a river, stretching long and narrow through North Carolina. It is also home to much of the wildlife you would expect to find through the Catawba River Basin like spider lilies and bald eagles. Lake Norman hosts many fishing tournaments throughout the year, and is bordered by the charming Davidson, North Carolina, a quaint town with wonderful things to do year round. Staying at the Davidson Village Inn gives you the ideal location from which to explore the Lake Norman section of the Catawba River Basin and all the beauty and recreation it offers. Whether you want to rent a jetski or boat and explore the waters, or just hang out on one of its beaches, you’ll love Lake Norman.
The Catawba River Basin, with Lake Norman in its midst, is a wonderful place to explore on your next vacation in the Carolinas – be it a long family vacation, or a quick weekend away from everyday life. With so much terrain to discover, from mountains to lakes and historic dams to visit, a trip through this great basin would be both beautiful and educational.
If you are looking for things to do while in the Davidson area on your Catawba River Basin journey, check out this free vacation guide full of ideas.
