Catawba River
Heavily impounded, the Catawba descends from the Blue Ridge through a chain of lakes including James, Rhodhiss, Hickory, Norman, Mountain Island and Wylie, passing Charlotte and Rock Hill into South Carolina.
Course of the river, simplified. Map data from Natural Earth (public domain).
Weather at the Catawba River (National Weather Service) ↗
River facts
| Length | About 220 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | Blue Ridge near Ridgecrest, McDowell County, North Carolina |
| Mouth | Becomes the Wateree River at Lake Wateree, South Carolina |
| State | North Carolina |
Dams include Lake James, Rhodhiss, Oxford, Lookout Shoals, Cowans Ford, Mountain Island, Wylie and Wateree.
Boat ramps, launches and bait shops
Detailed ramp, bait shop and lock-and-dam listings for the Catawba River are coming soon. Until then, these searches open Google Maps along the river:
- Boat ramps on the Catawba River in North Carolina ↗ · Bait shops near the Catawba River in North Carolina ↗
Fishing regulations
Check the state agency for river-specific rules, seasons and limits before you fish:
- North Carolina: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ↗
Lakes on or near the Catawba River
Lakes in our guide on or near this river:
Facts from Catawba River (Wikipedia) ↗