Lake

Explore our FAQs to learn more about our community.

This FAQ page is designed to provide you with quick answers to common questions about our community. Explore the categories below to find the information you need.

FAQs

Where are the community docks located? Get answers to this and other questions regarding the lake.

Where can I get my boat in/out of the water?

There is a private boat launch and ramp located in the park at 12401 Overlook Mountain Drive. The boat ramp is for Overlook residents only, no public access. You will need a key fob to open the gate .

Where are the “no wake zones” for Mountain Island Lake?

In addition to Nance Cove (a cove off of the main channel, which leads to the Overlook boat ramp), the bridge for NC Highway 16, and the Riverbend public boat ramp are “no wake” zones. We also recommend that you practice “no wake” at the two sand bars, and near any resident docks located throughout the lake.

How many community docks are there?

There are 17 private docks with boat slips, labeled docks A through J, located throughout the neighborhood. The docks are for use only by deeded boat slip owners of the Overlook community.

A map of the docks can be found here:

Does the neighborhood have public lake access?

There is NO public lake access in Overlook. There is private access to a boat ramp (key fob required for entry) for residents and their accompanying guests . The closest public access is the Riverbend Boat Ramp, located on Eddie Nichols Drive across the Hwy 16 bridge in Mount Holly.

How big is Mountain Island Lake?

Mountian Island Lake is about 3,281 acres of surface area and 61 miles of shoreline. The lake is roughly 15 miles long with a maximum depth of 59 feet. You can read more about the lake here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Island_Lake

Where can I find the current lake levels and water temperature?

You can view real-time lake levels and temperatures at https://lakes.duke-energy.com/#/lakes

What kind of fish live in the lake?

The northern limit of Mountain Island Lake is the Cowans Ford Dam, which represents the beginning of Lake Norman. With a retention time of 11 days, Mountain Island Lake has good water flow and oxygen quality(during normal conditions), which results in robust populations of largemouth bass, catfish, striper, crappie and bream. Mountain Island is particularly known for producing large blue catfish and plenty of “schoolie” size stripers. The primary forage species are threadfin and gizzard shad, plus pan fishes.

Is Mountain Island Lake natural or manmade? When was it built?

Mountain Island is a man made lake constructed in 1924 by flooding a portion of the Catawba river

What is a Grinder Pump and why do homes in Overlook all have them?

Lakefront developments and septic tanks are not exactly a match made in heaven, especially when the homes were built decades prior. Because they’re in close proximity to water that’s used for recreation and enjoyment, malfunctioning septic or sewer systems are a serious concern. No one wants raw sewage leaking into the lake where people go to swim and fish.
When faced with this problem, Duke decided to install grinder pumps to safely ensure tanks are emptied promptly and could connect to the city’s sewer system.
Sewage grinder pumps are designed to grind up raw sewage into a slurry and use high pressure to pump the slurry to its new destination, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg sewer system.
Overlook’s grinder pumps are serviced regularly by McCall Brothers, Inc – and the fee for maintaining the neighborhood’s grinder pumps are a part of the annual HOA dues.

Has Mountain Island Lake ever flooded?

In September 2019 Hurricane Dorian brought inland flooding to the Charlotte area, causing Mountain Island Lake to reach a level of 106.7 feet, which is nearly 7 feet above “full pond”.
In September 2024 Hurricane Helene devastated Western NC, causing downstream flooding from the Catawba River, which eventually made its way to Mountain Island Lake, raising the lake level to 108 feet – the highest level ever recorded.
Several neighborhoods had docks and boats break loose and float downstream. Our community sprung into action and secured all of the community docks and boats. While several docks came off their piles, we didn’t lose a single one. Beginning in October of 2024, the HOA began bebuilding those piles to withstand future lake levels of up to 110 feet.
Thankfully, Overlook is built on a comparatively higher elevation than some of the other neighborhoods on the lake. That fact, coupled with the 100 foot lake buffer guidelines that prevents homes from being built closer than 100 feet from the lakeshore means that Overlook houses are less susceptible to flooding from higher lake levels.
You can read more about the 2024 storm here https://www.wbtv.com/2024/09/26/mountain-island-lake-spill-reach-its-highest-water-levels-ever-amid-helene/

Where does Mountain Island Lake flow to/from?

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 surrounding Mecklenburg County, as well as Mount Holly and Gastonia in Gaston County.

Who owns/maintains Mountain Island Lake?

Mountain Island Lake is a public lake, built and managed by Duke Energy. You can read more about the lake here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Island_Lake

What activities are there to do on the lake?

On Mountain Island Lake, you can primarily enjoy water activities like boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and jet skiing, with access points like Latta Plantation Preserve offering additional hiking trails and nature exploration opportunities along the lake’s shoreline; the lake is also popular for sunset kayaking and paddleboarding due to its scenic beauty and protected natural areas.
Key activities on Mountain Island Lake:
Boating: Rent or own a boat to cruise the lake and access various coves.
Kayaking/Canoeing: Explore the lake’s inlets and protected areas with a kayak or canoe, including options for guided tours.
Fishing: Cast a line from the shore or a boat, with the Mountain Island Tailrace fishing platform being a popular spot.
Swimming: Enjoy a swim at designated areas with access to the lake.
Jet Skiing: Take a ride on a jet ski for a more exhilarating experience.
Hiking and Nature Walks: Access trails at Latta Plantation Preserve to explore the surrounding natural areas.
Birdwatching: Observe various bird species found around the lake.
Sunset Viewing: Take a paddle or boat out to enjoy scenic sunsets over the lake.
Important points to remember:
Access points:
Most access to the lake is through public areas provided by Duke Energy, including the Neck Road Access Area and River Bend Access Area.
Latta Plantation:
This preserve offers a great combination of water activities and hiking trails.
Protected area:
Large portions of the shoreline are protected natural areas, so be mindful of regulations when exploring.
Drinking water source:
Mountain Island Lake is a primary source of drinking water for the Charlotte area, so be respectful of the environment.

For a more comprehensive list of activities, please visit https://www.justchillinoutdoors.com/2024/09/18/the-comprehensive-guide-to-enjoying-mountain-island-lake/

Where are the best swimming spots on the lake?

The most popular spots are one of the two sandbars, or the “Mountain Island” of Mountain Island Lake.

Is there anywhere to get food/fuel on the lake?

In 2025, Mountain Island Lake will be getting its first commercial property in the form of a waterfront restaurant. The restaurant will be located on Mountain Island Brook Lane (which is across Hwy 16 from the entrance to Mt. Isle Harbor neighborhood). It will be called BlackFinn’s at McRorie Landing. The owner is still negotiating with Duke Energy on whethere they will allow McRorie to add access to the restaurant directly from the lake for hungry boaters to grab a burger and a beer. We suggest following Mountain Island Lake Development Committee on Facebook to stay up to date on the progress of this and other area development https://www.facebook.com/groups/mountainisland

Are there any law enforcement or first responders on the lake?

Mountain Island Lake Enforcement/Patrol (CMPD) is based out of Overlook. The CMPD boat launches from the docks behind the clubhouse/pool and patrols all areas of the lake. There are usually at least two CMPD patrol vehicles (including the lake enforcement truck) parked at the clubhouse. Additionally, Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department responds to emergencies on the lake, and has a rescue boat moored at the Riverbend boat ramp.

FAQs

Resident Resources

Find answers to your questions about our community and how to navigate the website.

Help

HOA

Residents can use the Braesael resident portal to pay their annual assessment and access other sensitive community info.
If you haven’t signed up for this service yet, you’ll need your account number to create a login.

Overlook residents can also join our private facebook group Overlook On The Lake

Access Braesael PortalContact Braesael