BACKGROUND
 
When Duke Energy built the Cowans Ford Dam in the 1960's, the primary goal was the generation of electric power. This requires the raising and lowering of lake water levels dependent on electric power demands. This leaves shorelines on Lake Norman at varying water levels at different times of the year. Because of a general lack of fertility of the lake's substrate, shoreline aquatic vegetation is almost nonexistent. 
 
Island and main lake shorelines are suffering continually from erosion generated by increasing boat wakes.  Plants to help stabilize the islands and main lake shorelines from increasing bank erosion while providing habitat for aquatic species such as fish and amphibians have been trialed over the past 3 years.
 
TRIALS
 
In 2006, Hugh Barwick and his staff decided to trial a likely looking candidate species known as water willow.  The plant thrives in water depths to a maximum of just three feet to areas of moist soil on the shorelines.  It spreads into colonies but does not present a boating hazard.  Water willow stems extend above the water level just a few feet. 
 
It is hoped that the plants will anchor the shoreline soil, lessen waves from boat wakes, and provide cover for aquatic animal species.
 
Project lead, Hugh Barwick of Duke Energy, said that this year's plantings were focused on Islands N-1, N-26 and N-27 in order to concentrate the cuttings and eliminate the blue cylinder enclosures-called cages-previously used to prevent grazing by aquatic animal life, probably turtles.
 
Last year's plantings of black willow did not survive as well as the water willows, Barwick said. "Given drought conditions, there was good survival of water willow, especially in cages, but some outside of cages, as well," he said.
 
"The weather was nice and the water levels perfect" for the project, Barwick added.
According to Tim Gestwicki, deputy director of conservation for the NCWF, the planting effort is an aquatic habitat enhancement project that is part of the Island Habitat Program. Support came in part from the Catawba Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP) fund.
   
SUMMARY
 
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation, LNWC, and Duke Energy are committed to establishing aquatic vegetation and shoreline plants on Lake Norman to help control destructive wave action and provide habitat for fish and other aquatic species.

A Big Thank You! to all the volunteers (Mtn Island Lake Wildlife Stewards partnered with the harvest) who assisted with the project.  We will keep you updated on the successes and next phases.