Being just a stone’s throw from Lake Glenville, we love to spend time out on the water. There is a lot to do on the lake, like boating, swimming, fishing, and sightseeing. But the lake has a pretty interesting history too.
History
The South is chock full of power lakes. That is lakes that were created for the sole purpose of making power. My husband is from the west coast, and so many lakes there are naturally occurring. It was a little surprising for him to learn that most lakes around here are manmade.
Lake Glenville’s story starts around the beginning of World War II. In 1940, the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) needed more electricity for wartime aluminum production. So, Nantahala Power and Light, owned by ALCOA at that time, decided to build a hydroelectric dam on the west fork of the Tuckasegee River.
The dam was completed in 1941, and the reservoir created was named after the first president of Nantahala Power, J.E.S. Thorpe. Thorpe Reservoir was the official name for years, but I don’t know many people who ever called it that. Instead the common name was Lake Glenville after the town that they flooded in order to create it. That’s right, there is town under Lake Glenville (and most other power lakes in the South). Ok, maybe not much of a town, most of the buildings were moved or burned. But Glenville had an interesting history before the lake was formed including a country inn that once hosted royalty.
Today
The lake is now owned by Duke Energy and still makes power. In fact, the vertical drop to the hydroelectric plant is the longest in NC, 1,207 feet over 3 miles of pipe. The Glenville-Thorpe power station is a cool looking old building about halfway between Glenville and Tuckasegee. It at the pull out spot for kayakers on release days.
Part of Duke Energy’s licensing agreement is to provide recreational access, amenities, and scheduled releases of water for recreational purposes. So far they have built two boat launches, two fishing piers, a public beach, and the High Falls Trail.
Lake Glenville Details
- Elevation 3,494 feet above sea level
- Depth 130 feet
- 26 miles of shoreline
- 1,470 acres of water
- Motorized watercraft ok
- Fish: large and smallmouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, yellow perch, walleye, crappie, bluegill, brem and catfish
- Waterfalls: There are three major waterfalls that cascade into the lake, accessible only by boat: Hurricane Falls, Mill Creek Falls, and Norton Falls.
