Overview
Lake Rhodhiss is a 3,515-acre run-of-river reservoir on the Catawba River in the foothills of western North Carolina, spanning Burke, Caldwell, and Alexander counties between the towns of Rhodhiss and Granite Falls. It was created in 1925 and is owned and operated by Duke Energy as part of the Catawba-Wateree hydroelectric system, sitting downstream of Lake James and upstream of Lake Hickory.
With about 90 miles of shoreline, an average depth near 20 feet, and a maximum depth of roughly 52 feet, Rhodhiss is a narrower, river-like reservoir with the largest drainage area of any lake in the upper Catawba chain. It serves as a water supply for surrounding communities in addition to generating hydropower, and its shoreline mixes residential development with wooded banks.
The lake offers fishing for largemouth and spotted bass, crappie, catfish, and bream, along with boating and paddling, with fisheries managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Duke Energy public access areas and boat ramps provide entry to the lake.
Water levels on Lake Rhodhiss are managed by Duke Energy as part of the Catawba-Wateree chain. Duke reports the lake against a relative gauge where 100.0 feet represents full pond (an actual elevation of about 995 feet above mean sea level). As a run-of-river reservoir, its level responds quickly to rainfall and to releases from Lake James upstream, so monitoring current lake levels is helpful for boating, fishing, and dock access.
Current Conditions
Lake Rhodhiss is currently 2.52 feet below full pool and has risen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendRisingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeUp 0.20 ft
- 30-day changeUp 1.13 ft
- Drought conditionsModerate Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Lake Rhodhiss is a 3,515-acre reservoir on the Catawba River managed by Duke Energy.