Lake James

… on Catawba River, Burke and McDowell Counties. Formed when Bridgewater Dam was built, 1916-23, and formerly called Bridgewater Reservoir. Fed by North Fork [Catawba River], Linville River, and numerous smaller tributaries in addition to Catawba River. Owned by Duke Power Co. and named for James B. Duke (1856-1925). Covers 6,510 acres, with a shoreline of 150 mi. Used for recreation and generation of hydroelectric power.