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.
