ALEXANDER COUNTY (November 17, 2021) – The Wittenburg Access Area on Lake Hickory in Bethlehem will temporarily close beginning Nov. 29 to allow for improvements to the recreational area. Closure of the boat-ramp area is expected to last through February 2022, with other areas closed until the end of 2022.
Alexander County signed a 40-year lease on the park with Duke Energy to provide additional recreation opportunities, and plans have been developed to add a variety of amenities. Duke Energy has plans for a swim beach, restrooms, picnic areas, additional parking, parking lot resurfacing, and more.
Alexander County will create a one-mile nature trail, along with an associated parking area, which is already completed.
“Our team plans to begin work on the parking lot area in late November,” said Jennifer Bennett, Duke Energy’s water strategy and hydro licensing project manager. “This portion of the project, which includes parking lot reconfiguration, expansion and resurfacing, will require full site closure for about three months. The remainder of the project will last through 2022. We look forward to starting the upgrade of this popular lake access area in partnership with Alexander County.”
Larry Yoder, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners, said he is excited to embark on this project with Duke Energy.
“We are proud to be a part of such an exciting upgrade to the Wittenburg Access Area. It’s already a very popular destination for anglers and boaters, but these upgrades will take this park to a new level,” Yoder said. “It’s exciting to be able to offer additional recreational opportunities for our citizens and visitors. We appreciate our partnership with Duke Energy as we continue to improve our great county.”
While the Wittenburg Access Area is closed, alternative boating access to Lake Hickory is available at Dusty Ridge Access Area, which is located at 508 Dusty Ridge Access Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
For more information or to check lake levels, visit www.duke-energy.com/lakes or contact Duke Energy’s Lake Services at 1-800-443-5193 or lakeservices@duke-energy.com.