Location - Mileage
Located between the NC and VA border between I-85 and I-95. It is bounded by the Kerr Dam and Gaston Dam and borders the counties of Warren, Halifax and Northampton in North Carolina as well as Mecklenburg and Brunswick counties in VA.
As determined by a N.C. Department of Transportation study, mileage to the Lake Gaston area from specific points has been established as follows:
- Interstate 85 to Interstate 95 crossing EFB (Eaton Ferry Bridge), 44.3 miles
- Intersection of U.S. 158 and N.C. 903 to the Virginia-North Carolina state boundary line, 20.65 miles
- I-95 to Lake Gaston (EFB by way of U.S. 158, N.C. 903, etc.) 25.2 miles Interstate 95 to Lake Gaston (EFB by way of N.C. 46, N.C. 48, etc.) 29.2 miles
- I-85 to Lake Gaston (EFB by way of U.S. 158, etc.) 27.4 miles
Size and Water Depth
- This beautiful lake covers approximately 20,000 acres and has 350 miles of shoreline. It is about 35 miles long.
- Water levels are strictly regulated through a license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The license also requires cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manage the upstream feeder lake, Lake Kerr.
- Normal: 199–200 feet (60.7–61.0 m) of elevation
- Fish Spawning: 199–201 feet (60.7–61.3 m) of elevation
- Flood Control: up to 203 feet (61.9 m) of elevation (204 feet [62.2 m] possible in a 100-year flood event)
- Drought: No lower than 197 feet (60.0 m) feet of elevation
- Lake Gaston has a constant water level, which fluctuates only a foot or so on average!
Helpful Contact Information
- For questions related to Shoreline Management such as docks, riprap or the mileage buoys, please continue to call Will Miller, the Reservoir Program Manager, at 252-535-6894
- For issues related to boating safety and regulations: In North Carolina, WRC enforcement officers are the point of contact. If there is an urgent concern about safety or violations, please call the enforcement hotline at 800-662-7137 and the dispatch center will contact the nearest officer on duty. General complaints should probably be directed to Col. Jon Evans at 919-707-0036.
- In Virginia, VA Conservation Police Officers (CPO's) enforce boating safety laws. Violations in progress should be reported to the Wildlife Crime Line at 1-800-237-5712 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
- General complaints can be directed to the main line at 804-367-1000 or https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/
contact/ . - For questions related to Lake Gaston water levels go to Water Level Questions
Perfect for Boating! Boating Rules & Regulations Are A Must For Safety
- The best place to find information about boating rules / laws and safety on the lake is
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Follow this link: Boating/Laws-Safety/Rules-of-the-Water/North-Carolina-Boating-Checklist
- Construction and use procedures (a pdf) Construction and Use Permit
Fishing
- Largemouth bass, striped bass, stripers, walleyes, catfish, blue catfish, chain pickerel and bluegill.
History
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Lake Gaston is a hydroelectric reservoir. The lake is not federally owned. It was formed when the Virginia Electric Power Company built Gaston Dam on the Roanoke River to generate electricity for Dominion Resources, they own the lake. The dam is located on the North Carolina side. It generates electricity for Dominion North Carolina Power, which is the North Carolina operating company of Dominion Resources. The dam includes four hydroelectric generators.
Lake Gaston and Kerr Lake - Differences Between the Two Lakes?
- Read Barney's article: https://www.lakegastonrealestate.com/lake-gaston-information/lake-gaston-and-kerr-reservoir.html
Lake Gaston Real Estate
- Thinking of Buying a Lake Gaston property? Barney's website will give you all of the information you need. Great video on the home page about Lake Gaston and also a video about the Lake Gaston real estate market. https://www.lakegastonrealestate.com/