Plate took the photo at Sunset Point on Lake Wylie in South Carolina last Saturday around 7:15 pm, and since posting it to Nextdoor on Sunday, the picture has garnered significant speculation from people who have tentatively identified its subject as everything from an alligator to a floating log to some sort of water monster. The license was issued on March 1, 2006 and expires on October 31, 2015. Please, does anyone know what it was!. Lake Norman, another site near Charlotte created by damming the river, is said to be home to a creature called the Lake Norman Monster. This story was originally published December 30, 2019, 7:40 AM. The children are scared to death," said Orr. Ive heard a few people say theyve seen them on the lake. The average weight of a spotted bass caught in Lake Wylie is around 4 pounds, but the maximum size of spotted bass caught in Lake Wylie is approximately 22 inches long. But we stayed away from it.. Allen Steam Station located on the northern part of the lake (west of Charlotte) also draws its cooling water from the lake. If the alligator is presenting a threat to humans, in North Carolina, call N.C. Wildlife at 919-707-0010; in South Carolina, call 800-922-5431. Have a look, Commentary: Large or small, make life better for them all on Change a Pets Life Day, SC prosecutors will seek life sentence, not death penalty, for Alex Murdaugh in murder trial. Lake Norman is said to host its own lake monster, which witnesses have described as being similar to a large sturgeon or alligator garalthough some say it is closer to an overgrown alligator. According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. Heres the list. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. This time we visited on a Friday and there were lots of people there. Are there snakes in Lake Wylie? 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. [3] This dam impounded the Catawba River and created Lake Catawba, which was utilized to create hydro-electric power. He also urges anglers to move to another spot. Orella. DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. No, there are no alligators in Lake Wylie. Canyon Lake Texas: The Most Beautiful Place in Texas. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. The Catawba Nuclear Generating Station is located on the south-western part of the lake, and draws its cooling water from the lake. We dont want people feeding it, Medford said. Anglers can catch channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish at Lake Wylie. Please, does anyone know what it was! she added. Troopers obtain arrest warrants on driver who blew past the bus flashing red lights and stop arm. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The Catawba Indians believed that monstrously large snakes inhabited the Catawba River, and preserved stories of these large animals killing people on the rocks of the rapids near what is now Charlotte. I got outta there," Cannon said. It isnt close. Heres when severe weather is forecast, South Carolina running back forced to say goodbye to the game, Prosecution subpoenas Snapchat, Google to testify in upcoming Murdaugh trial, A Florida taxidermist takes clients nobody else will: grieving pet owners, Alex Murdaughs attorneys ask SC judge to bar testimony about blood spatter at trial, Netflix offers sneak peek of upcoming docuseries on Murdaugh murders in SC. How should a boat sit on a Trailer? James and Christine Thomas of Lake Wylie and 13-year-old twins Brandon and Chandler were paddling about 1 p.m. Aug. 3 when they saw an alligator lounging on a log on the water. Copyright 2022 lakeaccess.org - Sitemap, Lake Jennings Fishing: San Diegos Best Kept Secret, How Do Fish Get to Inland Lakes? Jessica Plate remains curious about whatever it was she saw and intends to keep investigating. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator, according to WSOC-TV. I know this picture isnt the greatest, but tonight while walking around the lake in our neighborhood we saw this 3 to 4 foot thing moving in the water. There is also place to ride bikes. South Carolina resident Jessica Plate posted a photograph to social media site Nextdoor recently that has some speculating about a monster in Lake Wylie. Anglers Carson Orellana and Chris Carnes trolled up on a 2-foot alligator sitting on a log near Copperhead Island Access Area. To report your own encounter with the impossible, reach out to us directly at the Singular Fortean Society through our contact page. "I can't really answer how it got here. They said gators are natural in the Catawba River near Lake Wateree, but getting that far past all of the dams is very unusual. Another reason why experts believe the alligator was taken care of by somebody is because it's a lot wider than a typical American alligator, which suggests it has been fed by somebody. Carnes, a junior at Clover High School, started the York County High School Anglers club. Lake norman has 49.81 square miles while lake wylie has 21 square miles. Heres why some opposed that Panthers deal, and why York County approved it anyway. People are advised . But first, Thomas said. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. "I know this picture isn't the greatest, but tonight while walking around the lake in our neighborhood we saw this 3 to 4 foot 'thing' moving in the water. It was rumored to have been first spotted alive on Saturday, and then discovered dead, floating in the water, just off highway 74. They said gators are natural in the Catawba River near Lake Wateree, but getting that far past all of the dams is very unusual. Wildlife officials believe those animals are likely exotic pets abandoned by their owners, despite alligators living naturally in other parts of North and South Carolina. James and Christine Thomas of Lake Wylie and 13-year-old twins Brandon and Chandler were paddling about 1 p.m. Aug. 3 when they saw an alligator lounging on a log on the water. He must live back there.. Within hours of it being posted online, talk of alligators, giant water snakes and a monster were being shared on Nextdoor.com, a community networking site. This story was originally published April 9, 2015, 5:29 PM. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. On Tuesday officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. 6 biologist, said he doesnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. As in the case with the infamous Loch Ness monster, proof has never been found of anything large or monstrous in the river, though alligators have been found occasionally in the Catawba. Foxes, deer, alligators, hawks, egrets, wild turkeys and ducks all call the lake home. Yes, you need a fishing license to fish in Lake Wylie. The bank around Lake Wylie is cleared of brush, which makes it easy for anglers to find their way around the Lake. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission Dist. Harnett County deputy involved in 2-vehicle crash that left 2 dead, Raleigh rents increase nearly 6% from last year, 4 people arrested, charged in February stabbing in Burlington. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Lake Norman is said to host its own lake monster, which witnesses have described as being similar to a large sturgeon or alligator garalthough some say it is closer to an overgrown alligator. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. Anglers can also catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, and shad at Lake Wylie. Lake Wylie is a reservoir or man-made lake in the U.S. states of South Carolina and North Carolina. Although they are not as popular as other fish, they can provide a tasty meal. "About 4 years ago, I was out on my dock and we were feeding the geese, and all of a sudden one went down and it was hollering and hollering," she said. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely illegally dumped because they arent native to the area. Located at South El Monte's Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Wheel Fun Rentals provides the San Gabriel Valley a great selection of bikes, unique specialty cycles, and watercraft rentals like Surreys, pedal boats, and Quad Sports for outdoor fun. Its likely that little alligator is probably going to die here, he said. "One of my twins saw it sitting on a log," the father, James Thomas, said. Mountain Island Lake is fed by the Catawba River, and is the smallest of the three man-made lakes that border Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Lake Norman, and Lake Wylie).Mountain Island Lake is managed by Charlotte-based company Duke Energy.The primary function of Mountain Island Lake is to provide drinking water for over 1 million residents of Charlotte and . MLS# 3927733. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely illegally dumped since they arent native to the area. The wake it made was enormous! Which is better Lake Norman or Lake Wylie? Its not big at all, but its definitely living there, said Carnes, 17, who lives on Lake Wylie. This expansive park features lakes . Heres the list, Chester County father pleads guilty to 2021 abuse of infant twins, sentenced to prison, Former Panthers site entrance, large home lots near Lake Wylie among Rock Hill plans, Death investigation after man found shot to death in Chester County, sheriff says, York County resident dies, nearly 100 York, Lancaster, Chester COVID-19 cases reported. 49.81 square miles vs 21 square miles. The two returned to the spot April 9 in preparation for a tournament this weekend. There is no way, this creature was way too big!, The Catawba Nation, a tribe of indigenous people based in the same area, has folklore that tells of multiple river monsters. Giant snakes were not the only mysterious creatures inhabiting the river in the days before European settlement of the region. I always thought it was a fib people told. There is no way, this creature was way too big! she said. You can catch them with various baits and lures, but the water levels at Lake Wylie are constantly fluctuating, making the fishing difficult. A 5-foot-long alligator has just been discovered on the Catawba River in Belmont, NC, just north of Lake Wylie. Contents 1 History 2 Other information 3 See also 4 References 5 External links History [ edit] It was still in the same cove farther back, Thomas said. An Alligator was found on Lake Wylie on Sunday. More than likely it was released but we don't know that," Cody Walker, with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, said. It is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. I read somewhere, maybe Wikipedia, that a few alligators have been found in Lake Wylie. As it turns out, the white inhabitants of the Catawba River Valley had their own beliefs that some mysterious creature was swimming in the Catawba. Is there any truth to these stories? [1], In October 1960, the power station was renamed the Wylie Hydroelectric Station, and the lake was renamed Lake Wylie in honor of W. Gil Wylie, one of the founders of the original Catawba Power Company that had created the lake and become Duke Power.[1]. It could've been released. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - Three alligators have been spotted swiming in Lake Wylie and it has people who spend time there concerned for their safety. Author John Hairr wrote in Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State that both the areas indigenous people of the Catawba Nation and European settlers have legends going back centuries of snake-like monsters living in the Catawba River. I spent time trying to catch it, but thought it was either caught or had moved, Medford said. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. "It looked kind of like a lizard; it . Plate told McClatchy news she wasnt aware of the river snake myth until she started reading the responses posted to the photo. Does Wylie have alligators? However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. If the alligator is presenting a threat to humans, in North Carolina, call N.C. Wildlife at 919-707-0010; in South Carolina, call 800-922-5431. She thinks the sensible explanation is that it was an alligator, despite the fact alligators dont live in Lake Wylie. Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State, though alligators have been found occasionally, 80-pound invasive fish can frighten people by jumping into boats in Mississippi, Ghostly image captured along Lake James reignites Bigfoot fever in North Carolina, Driver arrested after video shows him nearly hitting students at their school bus stop. The average depth of the lake is just over 20 feet. Lake Wylie is one of 11 lakes on the Catawba River and is the oldest lake in the Catawba River basin, with water being moved around each lake on the chain system through Duke Power. People may be scared about having an alligator in the lake but in all actuality it is only around 3 feet and won't do anything to humans. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. 2. The registered business location is at 3001 Lake Terrace Drive, Wylie, TX 75098. This website participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The Native Americans were not the only ones who believed that a monster lived in the Santee River system, of which the Catawba River is a major part. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. Julie Orr has been going out to Lake Wylie for more than 20 years and she says it's not the first time she's seen alligators in the lake. Are there any alligators in Lake Murray SC? Jessica Plate remains curious about whatever it was she saw and intends to keep investigating. The wake it made was enormous! The man-made lake was first formed when the Catawba Power Company built the Catawba Dam and Power Plant near India Hook, South Carolina in 1904. James and Christine Thomas of Lake Wylie and 13-year-old twins Brandon and Chandler were paddling in the early afternoon Aug. 3 when they saw an alligator lounging on a log on the water. The legend of a monster snake in the Catawba River dates back centuries, but some see new proof in a grainy photo taken over the weekend at Sunset Point on Lake Wylie. Its likely that little alligator is probably going to die here, said Medford, adding he doesnt expect it to grow much before winter. People are advised that if the alligator is presenting a threat, in North Carolina, call N.C. Wildlife at 919-707-0010, in South Carolina, call 800-922-5431. The best spots for catfish include main channel points and drop-offs in deeper waters. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. If its as cold as last winter, he almost certainly wont make it.. But as Figueroa and his brother got closer, they saw the gator was dead. "I know this picture. The state biologist said he went with and without the angler looking for the gator, but I never laid eyes on it.. Ive been fishing Lake Wylie for about 10 years, he said. Anglers can obtain loaner tackle at the Latta Plantation Nature Center. I got outta there," Cannon said. Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Alligators are not native to the area and would not be able to survive in the cold water of the Lake. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission Dist. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission District 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. The photo, posted online Sunday, shows what could be the head of something sticking out of the lake, with a sinuous wake spinning several feet behind it. There is no way, this creature was way too big!, The Catawba Nation, a tribe of indigenous people based in the same area, has folklore that tells of multiple river monsters. "Is this your boy?" Also it probably won't make it through winter. Ive been fishing Lake Wylie for about 10 years, he said. In conclusion alligators are not going to invade lake Wylie so there is no reason to be worried. "I mean this is a beautiful lake and we can't even enjoy it. They are also a good choice for experienced anglers because they are usually well-behaved and can provide a lot of sport. An unusual discovery was made in Lake Wylie on Sunday: an alligator. The photo, posted online Sunday, shows what could be the head of something sticking out of the lake, with a sinuous wake spinning several feet behind it. What lakes in north Texas have alligators? Lake Wylie monster?" In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. Having lived in Lake Wylie for 11 years, Thomas said shes heard rumors about alligators in the lake. Lake Wylie feels more like a really wide river so to speak and doesn't have the expansive open water like Lake Norman does especially on the southern end. The alligator population has thrived in South Carolina in recent years - so much so, that a hunting season was instituted in 2008. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in. The truth is, Alligators do not live in Lake Wylie. In 2000, officers found a gator in the Crowders Creek area of Wylie and in 1999, Catawba Nuclear Station employees spotted a 5- to 7-foot alligator lurking in a nearby lagoon. I dont think its posing a threat yet.. Medford said alligator bites are rare, and typically the concern is protecting small pets. To keep up with the latest news and events happening with the Singular Fortean Society, sign up for our monthly newsletter! Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Are there crocodiles in Lake Murray SC? According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. All Rights Reserved. Commenters on the photo had a long list of other possibilities. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. (Jessica Plate). How Deep is Lake Superior? However, because it is a popular fishing destination, much fish will likely be in the Lake. Photo at South Carolina lake resurrects talk of tribal legend, (Jessica Plate (custom credit) | Jessica Plate), Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, Making breakfast burritos and cheater beans with Chef Elizabeth Barrick, Authorities searching for missing 12-year-old Gaston County girl, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video, Monsters of North Carolina: Mysterious Creatures in the Tar Heel State, though alligators have been found occasionally. He says alligators don't naturally inhabit the Lake, and doesn't know how the three got there, but has a theory. This facility opened in August 1925, increasing the surface area of Lake Catawba from 668 acres (2.70 km2) to 13,400 acres (54.2 km2). York County, tri-county unemployment hit milestone numbers with coronavirus uptick. Also, there is a FAKE alligator head floating around the docks at Papa Doc's Shore Club. [1], In 1924, the Southern Power Company raised the level of the dam and built the new Catawba Hydroelectric Station to replace the original. These creatures made their presence known by coming out of the water and sunning themselves on the rocks. Never seen an alligator in the Catawba River, but the local media has reported alligator . In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. Medford said its likely someone released the gator into Lake Wylie. York County coronavirus unemployment versus the Great Recession? The Catawba had legends of giant leechlike creatures that lived in the river. Doctor Roberts says the best rule of thumb is, if you leave the alligators alone, they'll leave you alone, but that's not enough for Orr. Same exact log, same exact position.. "I know this is a lake and it's for all creatures but they're too close," said Orr. Dr. Roberts says the alligators pose not threat to people until they get to be about 6 feet long, but they could be dangerous to small pets.