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Belews Lake, North Carolina, USA

Belews Lake is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in beautiful north central North Carolina. The lake straddles Stokes, Forsyth and Rockingham counties and is surrounded by the towns of Walnut Cove, Belews Creek, Stokesdale and Pine Hall. Forests, waterfalls and mountain streams are abundant in the surrounding area, and Hanging Rock State Park is 15 miles to the northwest.

Belews Lake is a man-made reservoir covering 3,846 acres, with an 88 mile shoreline. It is retained by a rolled earth dam. The lake often reaches depths of 100 feet, and reaches as high as 130 feet near the dam. Unlike many other man-made lakes, Belews Lake is not used for hydroelectric power. Duke Energy created the lake in 1973 to provide cooling water for its Belews Creek Steam Station, a coal-fired power plant. The Belews Creek Steam Station is the largest coal-fired station in the Duke Energy system.

Between 1974 and 1984, Belews Lake was contaminated by selenium from the power plant, which caused reproductive failure and deformities in fish. Beginning in 1986, however, Duke Energy changed its practices and selenium no longer entered the lake. The fish consumption advisory was lifted in August of 2000, and Belews Lake was removed from the list of impaired waters.

Belews Lake is a unique fishing spot. On cool mornings, the surface of the lake is covered with steam generated from the heat of the nearby power plant. The effect is both beautiful and eerie. In the fall, the foliage around the lake is fiery and vibrant. Bass fishing is quite popular and other regular catches include catfish, crappie and panfish. Signs around the lake recommend that fish-eaters limit themselves to one portion a week because of small quantities of selenium that still linger in the lake water.

In addition to anglers, the calm waters and lush forests of Belews Lake attract boaters, nature-lovers and adventure-seekers. Popular activities include sail boating, speed boating, paddling, camping, hiking and water sports. Wildlife around Belews Lake is plentiful. Loons are often seen in the lake's coves, and sometimes you can spot a beaver. In the fall and winter, Canada geese make their homes on the lake.

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