General
Information
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the 50,000
acre Kerr Reservoir and an additional 50,000 acres
of surrounding land. In the 1950's, Kerr Reservoir,
also called Buggs Island Lake, was constructed primarily
to provide for flood control and hydropower generation.
Kerr Lake stretches across three counties in Virginia
and three in North Carolina. Part of the lake’s
800 miles of wooded shoreline includes what used
to be Jonathan’s Creek upon which Jonathan’s
Landing has been created. Along this shoreline you
can find opportunities to boat, fish, camp, swim,
picnic, hike, and hunt. Five campgrounds on the
lake are operated by the Corps of Engineers, seven
by the North Carolina State Parks and two by the
Virginia State Parks. These areas provide opportunities
for hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching. The
reservoir provides habitat for many game fish species
and is widely known for large-mouth bass and striped
bass fishing
Lake Ecology
The forests found at Kerr Lake are typical of those
found elsewhere in the Piedmont of North Carolina.
Pine stands are dominated by loblolly pines. In
hardwood forest areas, various oak and hickory species,
tulip poplars, maples, American beech and dogwoods
are commonly found. In drainage areas and along
the shoreline, willows, river birch and alder are
found. Many types of mammals live around Kerr Lake.
Mammals such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums,
gray foxes, red foxes, cottontail rabbits and gray
squirrels are common in the woods and along the
shore. Beavers, muskrats and a few river otters
make their homes at Kerr Lake as well. There are
also several species of amphibians and reptiles
in the area. Bird species inhabiting the lake are
too numerous to list completely. Songbirds include
indigo buntings, red-eyed vireos, northern cardinals,
prairie warblers, eastern kingbirds and Carolina
chickadees. Birds of prey including red-tailed hawks,
red-shoulder hawks, ospreys and eagles can all be
seen soaring overhead. Barred owls, great-horned
owls and screech owls are often heard under the
cover of darkness. Wading birds such as great blue
herons and egrets can be found along the shoreline
as they hunt for fish in the shallows. Other "fishermen"
found above and on the lake include the belted kingfisher
and double crested cormorant. Additionally, Canada
geese and mallard ducks are frequently seen on the
water and along the shoreline.
Local History
The Occoneechee Indians once lived in the Kerr Lake
area until they were dispersed by Nathanial Bacon
in 1676. But, up to that date, the many streams
and rivers that were flooded to create Kerr Lake
were the main transportation and supply route for
both Native Americans and early settlers. Constant,
regular flooding of these rivers and streams provided
rich and productive farmland that sustained the
area for generations. The development of cities
along the rivers and the increased demand for flood
control and electricity led to the construction
of the John H. Kerr Reservoir, named after the North
Carolina congressman instrumental in the reservoir's
development. Construction of this reservoir, which
straddles Virginia and North Carolina, began in
1946 and was completed in 1953.
Contact:
Janice
Pitts at United Country Realty at (434) 374-2011
for a private viewing of available lots or for more
information about purchasing a lot. |
