How Wide Is Lake Wylie in the Carolinas?

If you’ve considered lakefront living in the Carolinas, Lake Wylie may be at the top of your list. It is a man-made lake that has over 300 miles of shoreline, perfect for buying or building a home right on the water. There are also plenty of amazing places to visit and enjoy, whether you want to swim, picnic, or just spend some time relaxing by the water.

Lake Wylie is a large reservoir that spans the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. At its widest point, it is around 5 miles. However, the widest stretch of water that is unobstructed is just over 2 miles wide. Fortunately, if you want to swim in Lake Wylie, you can do that from one of the many swim beaches, as long as the conditions are good.

History of Lake Wylie

This lake was created when the nearby Catawba River was dammed in 1904. This created a lake that was just over 650 acres. It was later increased to 13,400 acres, its current size when the dam was extended. The lake, previously known as Lake Catawba, was renamed Lake Wylie in 1960. It was renamed to honor Dr. Walker Gil Wylie, a previous president of the Southern Power Company which expanded the dam to create the lake as it is today. Since then, it has been a popular place for residents of both North Carolina and South Carolina to come for lake recreation.

The lake is managed by the Duke Energy Company and provides power to residents in both of its bordering states. Going all the way back to its formation in 1904, it is the oldest manmade lake in North Carolina. There are seven other manmade lakes along the Catawba River. They all provide power but Lake Wylie is the largest.

There are six boat access points available to the public on the lake. The lake also has numerous privately owned docks and access points. The lake is near Charlotte, North Carolina, and has two small towns on its banks. Tega Cay is a suburb of Charlotte located in South Carolina. It has around 7,500 people. The town of Lake Wylie is a bit larger, with closer to 9,000 residents. Both are located in York County, South Carolina.

Animals in Lake Wylie

Not surprisingly, Lake Wylie is home to many species of fish. Crappies, white bass, largemouth bass, perch, and catfish are caught often. Bass fishing is particularly good in March and April when these fish are feeding more often in preparation for spawning. For serious anglers, Lake Wylie hosts multiple fishing tournaments. Just make sure that you have the appropriate fishing license, which you’ll need from North Carolina or South Carolina, depending on where you are fishing.

Snakes are also plentiful in the waters of Lake Wylie and the surrounding areas. It’s important to be aware of snakes in the area. If you do come across any, give them their space. Copperheads, a venomous snake, are common in this area. You can identify a copperhead by its copper coloring, hourglass banding pattern, and triangular-shaped heads. But be aware that they easily camouflage with their environment, so watch your step.

Taking care of the lake is important to ensure it remains a nice place for visitors and wildlife. In addition to following eco-friendly practices, the Lake Wylie Marine Commission invites people to participate in a Catawba Riversweep each October. Participants clean up the lake and surrounding waters.

How Does Lake Wylie Compare to Other Lakes in the Carolinas?

Lake Wylie is often compared to Lake Norman. This lake in North Carolina is north of Charlotte, making it more of a trip for South Carolinians to reach. But it is much larger, covering over 32,000 acres. It has a lot more shoreline, 520 miles compared to Lake Wylie’s 325. It also has a robust mountain biking trail called the Itusi Trail. If you prefer a quieter spot for fishing, nearby Park Lake is separated from Lake Norman by a single dam.

Mountain Island Lake is between Lake Wylie and Lake Norman. It is much smaller than either of its neighbors, covering just over 3,000 acres. It is nestled in the Rural Hill Nature Preserve and Latta Nature Preserve, making it a nice oasis just outside of Charlotte. The Carolina Raptor Center is also nearby, where you can see rehabilitated raptors and the conservation efforts underway to help save these majestic birds.

Lake Wylie is much narrower than some lakes out there in the US. Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, is 32 times as wide as Lake Wylie. Others, such as Lake Tahoe in California, are somewhat wider but much more well-known.

The largest lake in North Carolina is Lake Kerr. It is on the northern border of the state, with portions in North Carolina and Virginia. Lake Kerr covers 50,000 acres. It is popular for swimming, fishing, and boating. There are also numerous hiking trails for all levels as well as campsites. If you want a break from water activities, you can also check out the nearby museums, botanical gardens, outdoor theaters, or breweries.

All of these pale in comparison to the largest lake in South Carolina, however. Lake Marion, located across five counties in the state, is 100,600 acres. Everything from alligators to egrets can be seen in the wildlife-rich area. The fishing is also exceptional, with spots to fish, paddle, and boat. This lake is so large that there are islands within the lake and even a ghost town sticking up out of its waters.

How Long Would It Take a Swimmer to Get Across Lake Wylie?

Considering an average swimming speed of 2 mph, it would take around 2.5 hours to get across Lake Wylie’s widest point. However, this would include getting out of the water and going through obstacles in some places. The widest point for unobstructed swimming is just 2 miles wide. This would take an average swimmer around 2 hours of continuous swimming.

The lake is 28 miles long and would be quite a feat for swimming. In 2018, two men swam the entire distance in around 13 hours. Both were avid swimmers and trained for 3 months to be ready for this challenge.

Before you try swimming across the lake yourself, it’s important to make sure that it is safe. While reservoirs like this one are generally safe to swim in and most have posted places to go, spills and contamination still happen. In June 2023, a sewage spill resulted in some parts of Lake Wylie being put under a “No Swim” warning due to potential health issues. As the spill was cleaned up, these bans were lifted and swimming in the lake resumed.

There are a few great places for swimming at Lake Wylie. Ebenezer Park has a nice boardwalk as well as a swim beach. It does have a small fee, however, and gets busy in the summer months. Windjammer Park near Tega Cay charges non-residents but residents can access the picnic areas and swim beach for free. It also offers rental spaces for events. You can even catch a skiing show put on by the Carolina Show Ski Team occasionally.

There are two sandbars within Lake Wylie, one on the North Carolina side and one on the South Carolina side. You’ll need a boat to access them but once you anchor near the sandbar, you can enjoy shallow water and relax on the sandbar. This is a great spot for young kids since the water is shallow and gentle.