Lake James required the construction of three dams:
The Paddy Creek, Catawba and Linville dams.
The Paddy Creek Dam is 165 feet high and 1,610 feet long.
The Catawba Dam is 150 feet high and 3,155 feet long.
The Linville Dam is 160 feet high and 1,325 feet long..
McDowell County and Burke County divide the lake almost equally. Bear Creek Marina is in McDowell County. Lake James has a surface area of approximately 6,812 acres, with 150 miles of shoreline. Full pond elevation is 1,200 feet.
For further information please go to http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/facts-and-maps/lake-james.asp
Biltmore House America's very own castle is located in Asheville, North Carolina, and only minutes away.
Carson House This historic home, built around 1793 and served as a stagecoach inn, was the seat of the county government until the McDowell County Courthouse was constructed. The Carson House entertained the likes of Davy Crockett, Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson.
Ski Beech At 5,506 feet in elevation, Ski Beech remains the highest ski area in the Eastern United States.
Blowing Rock The current of air flowing upward prompted the Believe It Or Not cartoon about the only place in the world that snow falls upside down. The rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the northwest wind sweeps with such force that it returns light objects that have been cast over the void.
Grandfather Mountain Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in Blue Ridge Mountains. Included among the many special events that are home to Grandfather Mountain, is the Singing on the Mountain and the Scottish/Irish Highland Games.
Linville Caverns Natural limestone caverns, a vivid colorful masterpiece created by nature.
Cherokee
Great Smokey Mountains National Park
Boone
Table Rock
Little Switzerland Host to Square Dance with traditional mountain music and loads of fun for everyone.
Mt. Mitchell The highest peak east of the Rockies is Mt. Mitchell.
Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway offers well over 400 miles of picturesque travel from the Shenandoah to the Great Smokies, covering North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with the most beautiful, breathtaking scenery.
Some Waterfalls of McDowell County
Catawba Falls 340 feet cascade, the upper falls has a 70 foot plunge.
Crabtree Falls 60 foot plunge.
Hickory Branch Trail Falls 20 foot falls.
Linville Falls The most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge, a spectacular three-tiered waterfall plunging into Linville Gorge called the Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.
Setrock Creek Falls This waterfall has four distinct levels totaling 50 feet of falling water.
Tom’s Creek Falls Height is approximately 100 feet of gentle falls in a picturesque setting.