There was a lot of information on the internet, but we always spent hours searching for it. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. [3] This dam impounded the Catawba River and created Lake Catawba, which was utilized to create hydro-electric power. Lake Wylie monster?" Lake Wylie is about 30 miles east of Charlotte and 20 miles north of Rock Hill. The man-made lake was first formed when the Catawba Power Company built the Catawba Dam and Power Plant near India Hook, South Carolina in 1904. BELMONT, NC (WTVD) -- An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. Have a look, Commentary: Large or small, make life better for them all on Change a Pets Life Day, SC prosecutors will seek life sentence, not death penalty, for Alex Murdaugh in murder trial. Bluegill can be caught using a variety of baits, such as worms, minnows, and even jigs. A website is devoted to alleged sightings of it, which some say is a giant fish more than a monster snake. Are There Alligators In Lake Wylie NC? South Carolina alligators can be found thriving in the shallow and swampy areas of the lake and can also be found in coves and creeks. Plate told McClatchy news she wasnt aware of the river snake myth until she started reading the responses posted to the photo. Kayakers on Lake Wylie near Copperhead Island boat docks were surprised by a visitor spotted on a log earlier this month. Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. This story was originally published August 13, 2014, 10:00 PM. At first, I thought it was a dog or deer, shoot, maybe a scuba diver!, The photo was taken around 7:15 p.m. Saturday, and the thing appeared at first to be swimming toward her, then turned away, she wrote. Carnes, a junior at Clover High School, started the York County High School Anglers club. All Rights Reserved. The image uploaded by Jessica Plate to social media site Nextdoor. Lake Jocassee; Oconee & Pickens counties . Is there any truth to these stories? He says alligators don't naturally inhabit the Lake, and doesn't know how the three got there, but has a theory. In 1905, the Catawba Power Company became part of the Southern Power Company. Heres the list, Chester County father pleads guilty to 2021 abuse of infant twins, sentenced to prison, Former Panthers site entrance, large home lots near Lake Wylie among Rock Hill plans, Death investigation after man found shot to death in Chester County, sheriff says, York County resident dies, nearly 100 York, Lancaster, Chester COVID-19 cases reported. Most likely, they saw a log or another object resembling an alligator. Lake Wylie has a range of fishing spots perfect for anglers of all skill levels. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? The best spots for catfish include main channel points and drop-offs in deeper waters. The South Fork River and Catawba River confluence is now submerged under Lake Wylie near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. Jessica Plate remains curious about whatever it was she saw and intends to keep investigating. There are peddle boat rentals on Legg Lake. I dont think its posing a threat yet.. What lakes in north Texas have alligators? As in the case with the infamous Loch Ness monster, proof has never been found of anything large or monstrous in the river, though alligators have been found occasionally in the Catawba. Crusading vet treats some of LAs most cherished residents: The pets of skid row, Alex Murdaugh found guilty of murdering wife, son in June 2021, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son in June 2021, O.J. The bank around Lake Wylie is cleared of brush, which makes it easy for anglers to find their way around the Lake. Most likely, they saw a log or another object resembling an alligator. "Clearly it's an alligator, three actually it looks like," said Dr. Roberts. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. I always thought it was a fib people told. The communities surrounding Lake Wylie organise a plethora of yearly events, including water sports team events, live music festivals . Catfish and Shad are familiar food sources for largemouth bass, making this spot ideal for fishing with bait and lures replicating these foods. [1], In 1924, the Southern Power Company raised the level of the dam and built the new Catawba Hydroelectric Station to replace the original. Bluegill is most active in the early morning and late afternoon. I dont think itll mess with you.. Lake Wylie's location on both the South Carolina and North Carolina borders makes it a common recreational destination for residents of nearby cities including Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill. BELMONT, N.C. An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. "It looked . He must live back there.. Harnett County deputy involved in 2-vehicle crash that left 2 dead, Raleigh rents increase nearly 6% from last year, 4 people arrested, charged in February stabbing in Burlington. Definitely will go back to the shore (with more people for evidence) to try and catch another glimpse!. LOS ANGELES Kilo, a muscular gray pit bull, stood staunchly by his homeless owner in the middle of 6th Street on L.A.'s skid row. It was still in the same cove farther back, Thomas said. The Catawba had legends of giant leechlike creatures that lived in the river. I dont want anything to happen to the alligator, but I certainly dont want him on the lake, she said. I dont think itll mess you.. Mark Price has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1991, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. I dont think its posing a threat yet.. LAKE WYLIE Experts estimate South Carolina has 100,000 alligators in its waters, but three of the smallest are the ones causing a stir in Lake Wylie. At first, I thought it was a dog or deer, shoot, maybe a scuba diver!. Heres the list. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. Lake Wylie is one of 11 lakes on the Catawba River and is the oldest lake in the Catawba River basin, with water being moved around each lake on the chain system through Duke Power. In 2000, officers found a gator in the Crowders Creek area of Wylie and in 1999, Catawba Nuclear Station employees spotted a 5- to 7-foot alligator lurking in a nearby lagoon. The Native Americans were not the only ones who believed that a monster lived in the Santee River system, of which the Catawba River is a major part. SCDOT says these York, Lancaster and Chester county roads are up next for repaving. The license was issued on March 1, 2006 and expires on October 31, 2015. I read somewhere, maybe Wikipedia, that a few alligators have been found in Lake Wylie. "The first sighting was Friday. This facility opened in August 1925, increasing the surface area of Lake Catawba from 668 acres (2.70 km2) to 13,400 acres (54.2 km2). "I can't really answer how it got here. "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. There is no way, this creature was way too big!, The Catawba Nation, a tribe of indigenous people based in the same area, has folklore that tells of multiple river monsters. However, because it is a popular fishing destination, much fish will likely be in the Lake. ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - Three alligators have been spotted swiming in Lake Wylie and it has people who spend time there concerned for their safety. There are also two towns that are located on Lake Wylie, including Tega Cay and Lake Wylie. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. No, there are no alligators in Lake Wylie. On Tuesday officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. 49.81 square miles vs 21 square miles. I always thought it was a fib people told. Also, there is a FAKE alligator head floating around the docks at Papa Doc's Shore Club. The Catawba Nuclear Generating Station is located on the south-western part of the lake, and draws its cooling water from the lake. Neither lake, nor the Catawba River which connects them, has any indigenous alligators, although several alligators are found along the Catawba each year. Its not big at all, but its definitely living there, said Carnes, 17, who lives on Lake Wylie. There is also fishing. We just watched, she said. The Catawba Indians believed that monstrously large snakes inhabited the Catawba River, and preserved stories of these large animals killing people on the rocks of the rapids near what is now Charlotte. Lake Wylie is a reservoir or man-made lake in the U.S. states of South Carolina and North Carolina. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission District 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. There is no way, this creature was way too big! she said. "The one variable in this that there is that large plume of warm water from the nuclear power plant where the alligators can hang out all winter long and theoretically stay warm enough," said Dr. Roberts. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. On Sunday, their five heaviest bass weighed more than 20 pounds, which is good for this lake., Seeing the gator, he said, just summed up a great day.. Medford learned of the gator, estimated to be about 20inches long, about two months ago when an angler contacted him with photos. Its not dangerous, said Medford, who isnt planning to continue the search for it. In the past, he said, 6- to 8-foot gators have been sighted in Lake Wylie and other bodies of water where alligators dont normally live. The Lake is home to several fish attractors that can help anglers catch various fish. The next day, Antonio Figueroa and his brother were fishing on their kayaks when they spotted the gator. After paddling to other coves they returned to see the gator still there. If the gator was caught, Medford said, the commission would work with zoos to place it, or euthanize it because moving it to a different location could harm local populations. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. Photo at South Carolina lake resurrects talk of tribal legend, (Jessica Plate (custom credit) | Jessica Plate), Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, Making breakfast burritos and cheater beans with Chef Elizabeth Barrick, Authorities searching for missing 12-year-old Gaston County girl, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video, Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State, though alligators have been found occasionally. You can catch them using a variety of baits, but scavenging is the most common method.