Badin Lake

Over the years, a series of dams were built on the Yadkin - Pee Dee Rivers in North Carolina. Because it was built for the aluminum smelter, instead of flood control, Badin Lake was one of the early ones. The nearby town of Badin (see blog on June 30) had been named for the original founder, and the lake took that name too. It's in a pretty location close to Morrow

Mountain State Park (see "Back to Nature blog on July 17), which is only about two miles away at their nearest point. In fact, some of the lake lies within the Uwharrie National Forest (see that blog on July 7). The area around Badin is known as the Narrows, because it's the narrow part of the lake.

The lake covers 3,350 acres; is as deep as 190 feet; and has a shoreline in Stanly, Montgomery, Rowan, and Davidson Counties. The water temperature averages around 84 degrees in the summer and 51 degrees in the winter. From almost its beginning, it's also been used for recreation and offers nearby hiking, camping, picnicking, hunting, golfing, boating, and fishing. The lake has catfish, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass, crappie, and rarely, walleye.

Although aluminum is no longer being produced in Badin, the lake remains a recreation spot with something to appeal to everyone. Whether someone takes a boat out on the lake for the day or attends special events, such as Fourth of July fireworks over the lake, it's a beautiful spot. Do you have such a lake in your area? The water invites us to slow down, experience the peace, and enjoy the view.

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