Lake Wylie

A Charlotte swim school offers adult classes to teach water safety skills and reduce drowning deaths. Classes cover basic swimming techniques and open-water challenges, with participants like Michelle McIlwain emphasizing the benefits of adult swimming lessons. Instructors highlight the importance of safety measures before entering water bodies.

Eric Tipton, a Fort Mill man, died in the third drowning on Lake Wylie this year. He was found unresponsive near Bowater Catawba Park and pronounced dead at the scene. This marks the third drowning on the lake since May, with all victims being swimmers, including a 16-year-old earlier this year.

A man from Fort Mill died on Lake Wylie over the weekend, as confirmed by the York County Coroner's Office. The incident occurred on Lake Wylie, leading to his death.

Lake Wylie beach was closed immediately by Gaston County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism due to high E. coli readings.

Pontoon boats are temporarily restricted from launching at Allison Creek Park's boat ramps due to low water levels at Lake Wylie. York County officials cited incidents where pontoon boat trailers required towing, and the restriction aims to ensure visitor safety and protect property.

The York County Sheriff’s Office is warning against jumping off the Concord Road bridge over Lake Wylie, near the Catawba Nuclear Station, due to low water levels and hazards like rocks and debris. The area is owned by Duke Energy, and trespassing charges may be filed against those caught there.

Harmful algae blooms in lakes like Lake Wylie and Norman pose risks to swimmers and pets due to drought, extreme heat, and stagnant water. The Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group is addressing lyngbya bacterial algae, which grows in shallow areas. Experts warn to avoid unknown water growths and report blooms to environmental authorities.

Boaters are urged to exercise caution on Lake Wylie during the holiday weekend due to low water levels exposing rocks and creating hazardous conditions. Law enforcement agencies will increase patrols to manage crowds and ensure safety, as warned by officials from South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources.

Gaston County purchased a 562-acre tract along Lake Wylie from Duke Energy to preserve it as a future public park. The land, protected through conservation easements, will include trails, public lake access, and environmental benefits like wildlife habitat and stormwater filtration. The acquisition involved collaboration between Gaston County, Catawba Lands Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, and the N.C. Land and Water Fund.

Gaston County purchased 562 acres near Lake Wylie to create a public park with hiking and mountain biking trails, public lake access, and a connection to the Carolina Thread Trail. The land, previously owned by Duke Energy, will protect flood plains, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, including nesting grounds for osprey and bald eagles.

The Palisades Country Club in Charlotte, located along Lake Wylie, has been purchased by Heritage Golf Group for $6.9 million. The transaction, recorded in Mecklenburg County on June 12, marks Heritage Golf Group's entry into the Charlotte market. The Virginia-based company operates 48 golf and country clubs, primarily in the eastern U.S. and Colorado.

York County Council in South Carolina voted for a nine-month moratorium on new data centers to study their impact on resources and infrastructure. The moratorium's effect on the QTS Data Center project under construction, including nine buildings at Lake Wylie, remains unclear, as legal advisors determine if existing approvals or 'vested rights' exempt it. Community members and officials seek clarity ahead of council meetings on June 29 and July 13.