Mountain Island Lake

By Nadine Deason

If you're looking for an extraordinarily peaceful lake, whose shores embrace a wildlife refuge, a county park, and a historic plantation, come home to Charlotte's best kept secret, Mountain Island Lake. This unique location offers an incredibly quick, 12 mile, commute to Charlotte and the international airport. Mountain Island Lake is technically a reservoir supplying drinking water to over 800,000 residents of Charlotte and surrounding areas. Powerboats, jet skis and kayaks are welcomed onto this 3281 acre lake, with 2 public access ramps for those not having a private waterfront dock. Void of marinas, restaurants and crowds, this picturesque lake affords residents the type of peace and tranquility only communing with nature can provide.

Mountain Island Lake is fed by the Catawba River is the smallest of the three man-made lakes that border Charlotte, and is maintained by Duke energy. It was created in 1924 to coincide with the building of Mountain Island's hydroelectric station.

Nature lovers appreciate the many miles of Mountain Island Lake's undisturbed shoreline. The Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge provides 850 acres and 4 miles of shoreline of natural habitats for rare plants, animals, and an important bird area designated by the National Audubon Society due to its diversity of wintering waterfowl and migrating songbirds.

Rural Hill is a 487 acre county park that provides 3.2 miles of undisturbed shoreline. Co-managed by the Catawba Valley Scottish Society it features a magnificent plantation built by Maj. John Davidson in 1760. In addition to the historical preservation of the plantation, Rural Hill hosts numerous annual events including the Scottish Society Festival and in April the Lock Norman Highland games. Fall Family fun starts in September with the Amazing Maize Maze and in November hosts the Sheepdog Trials. There's also a beautiful 2.5 mile hiking trail around the perimeter of Rural Hill where you can take in natural habitat for sightings of rare nesting birds such as the Eastern Bluebird, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlarks, Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings.

The Latta Plantation enriches the Mountain Island Lake area with over 15 miles of pristine shoreline. The heavily forested 654 acres of the historic Latta Plantation includes not only the historic plantation, but also a nature preserves, a raptor center, equestrian center and 16 miles of trails for all to enjoy. Kayaking enthusiast will find two landing areas to enjoy these tranquil waters.

Our featured home this month has panoramic views on Mountain Island Lake including a direct view of Latta plantation's beautiful shoreline. So if enjoying nature, peace and quiet are in your bucket list you need to consider Mountain Island Lake. Located just north of Charlotte North Carolina, where you can work, live, play, and enjoy nature all in one place. Come explore the south …were the living is easy!

For more information:
ALakeHome.com