Kerr Lake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kerr Lake | |
|---|---|
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| Location | North Carolina/Virginia |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Roanoke River, Dan River |
| Primary outflows | Roanoke River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 50,000 acres (200 km²) |
Kerr Lake (officially John H. Kerr Reservoir, also known as Bugg's Island Lake by Virginians) is an artificial lake along the border of the U.S. states of North Carolina and Virginia. It was constructed in 1952 to produce electricity and for flood control. It is currently owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It is located in Vance County, NC, Granville County, NC, Warren County, NC, and Mecklenburg County, VA. It is the largest lake in North Carolina[citation needed] and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. The lake has over 850 miles of shoreline and covers approximately 50,000 acres (200 km²). Fishing is a popular activity, as the lake has an abundance of large-mouth bass striped bass, crappie, catfish and bream.
It is named for Congressman John H. Kerr of North Carolina, who supported the original creation of the lake.
The lake is actually an impoundment of the Roanoke River (also called the Staunton River in Virginia). The Dan River and several smaller creeks also feed the lake. The lake is upstream of Lake Gaston. Just upstream from the current John H. Kerr Dam, and still visible from the viewing platform below the dam at Tailrace park, lies Buggs Island, named for Samuel Bugg, an early settler. During dam construction from 1946-1952, the dam was called the “Buggs Island Project.” Officially the lake is named John H. Kerr Reservoir for the U.S. Senator from North Carolina, a prominent supporter of the project. North Carolinians know this body of water as Kerr (“Karr”) lake. Virginians know it as Buggs Island Lake or Buggs Island Reservoir. The hydroelectric dam is located on the Virginia side of the lake and generates electricity for the Southeastern Power Administration.The lake is quite large and is wildly popular with both North Carolinians and Virginians for fishing and recreational purposes.
Camping is also a popular activity on the lake, with many campsites (also run by the Army Corps of Engineers) lining the shore including Kimball Point, County Line, Hibernia, and many others. Campsites for both tents and RVs are available.
