Charlotte, North Carolina is a landlocked city – it is completely surrounded by land. However, this does not mean that you miss out on all the water fun if you are living in Charlotte. The largest city in the state of North Carolina is home to several lakes. These lakes provide a venue for boating, swimming, and other water activities.
If you are living in Charlotte, it is good to take advantage of what these lakes have to offer. Make sure to spend some time in three of the best ones:
- Lake Norman. The biggest man-made freshwater lake in North Carolina, Lake Norman is also the most popular. Not only is this lake a place for recreation, it also provides electricity to the Piedmont region of North Carolina, which includes Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, Pinehurst and Sandhills, and Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle. Aside from providing electricity, Lake Norman also supplies water to Charlotte and other counties. As for recreational activities, among the things you can do in the Lake Norman State Park are fishing, boating, wakeboarding, rowing, and sailing.
- Lake Wylie. Another man-made lake, Lake Wylie is also a reservoir and provides power to the Wylie Hydroelectric Station. This lake is a common recreational destination for both North Carolina and South Carolina residents. There are towns located along the lake and there are numerous public boat access areas. It is a great place for boating, camping, trail hiking, and picnics, among others.
- Mountain Island Lake. This lake is the smallest man-made lake in North Carolina. Although it also provides power to the Mountain Island Hydroelectric Station, the main function of Mountain Island Lake is to provide drinking water to residents of Charlotte and other areas of Mecklenburg County and Gaston County. Boating and fishing are some of the popular activities in this lake.
Preparing to live in Charlotte? Check out the Bellhops city guide to learn what this city has to offer.
