From visions of James Buchanan
Duke and named for Norman Atwater Cocke, retired president of Duke Power, the
lake is the culmination of a 60 year dream of hydroelectric development. A
stretch of the Catawba River had been transformed into a stair step of lakes
238 miles in length and ranging all the way from the Appalachian high country
to the low lands of South
Carolina. September
29, 1964 dedication services marked the completion of Cowans Ford Dam
and the birth of Lake Norman.
From
the beginning, Lake Norman
became “the place” for a weekend getaway offering excellent recreational
activities including swimming, boating, water-skiing, fishing and sailing on
its 32,000 surface acres and 520 miles of shoreline. Since the completion of
Interstate 77 in the 70’s and partial completion of the NEW Highway 16, Lake
Norman has become “the place” to live year round offering the advantage of a
large metropolitan city (Charlotte) just minutes away from the tranquil shores
of the lake.
Lake Norman borders four counties:
Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba and Lincoln
each with their own uniqueness and all with the common interest of Lake Norman.
