(805) 252-5894. Driver arrested after video shows him nearly hitting students at their school bus stop. "The first sighting was Friday. Lake norman is larger than the other lake. The wake it made was enormous! The lake has a surface area of 13,400 acres (54.2 km2)[1] (20.9 mi2) (5420 ha) and features 325 miles (523km)[2] of shoreline. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. It definitely freaked us out.. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A family out on Lake Wylie this week spotted an alligator. An Alligator was found on Lake Wylie on Sunday. 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. Alligators are not native to the area and would not be able to survive in the cold water of the Lake. Beavers, muskrats, and otters were a few other guesses, Plate said. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. wildlife control services; wildlife removal; wildlife remediation; wildlife prevention Duke Power manages six public boat access areas on the lake. 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. "All of a sudden he flew out his line and the next thing you know, it's a gator," Figueroa said. 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. Lake norman has 49.81 square miles while lake wylie has 21 square miles. Medford said its likely someone released the gator into Lake Wylie. From land, the alligators are difficult to make out, but the observers canmake out threedistinct separate ripples in the water. DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. Lake Wylie has a range of fishing spots perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Carnes, a junior at Clover High School, started the York County High School Anglers club. 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. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. I got outta there," Cannon said. Two fishermen got a shock April 5 while fishing on Lake Wylie. Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. The Singular Fortean Society earns a fee as an Amazon Associate for qualifying purchases. According to The Herald and Lake Wylie Pilot archives, DNR officers nabbed an 8-foot alligator in August 2002 on Lake Wylie. They are also a good choice for experienced anglers because they are usually well-behaved and can provide a lot of sport. A website is devoted to alleged sightings of it, which some say is a giant fish more than a monster snake. According to the SCDNR website, the American alligator, or Alligator mississippiensis, is the only crocodilian native in the Palmetto State. It is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. Biologists are investigating how the alligator died. The South Fork River and Catawba River confluence is now submerged under Lake Wylie near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. Simpson, others react on social media after Alex Murdaugh is found guilty, Strong storms, tornadoes possible in Midlands. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission Dist. It is a Charlotte, North Carolina suburb. The alligator population has thrived in South Carolina in recent years - so much so, that a hunting season was instituted in 2008. Although the American alligator is native to North Carolina, it is not native this far inland. Are there any alligators in Lake Murray SC? Lake Wylie, which does not have alligators, is a dammed section of the Catawba River, south of Charlotte. 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. Lake Wylie monster? Jessica Plate posted with her photo. But first, Thomas said. The Catawba had legends of giant leechlike creatures that lived in the river. On Tuesday officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission pulled the alligator from the waters. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. However, some customers have reported seeing an alligator while fishing. York County coronavirus unemployment versus the Great Recession? The license type is Registered Nurse. If the gator was caught, Medford said, the commission would work with zoos to place it, or euthanize it because moving it to a different location could harm local populations. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. One person suggested it was a a big nasty snake, while another said it was nothing more than a floating log. 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. I dont want anything to happen to the alligator, but I certainly dont want him on the lake, said Christine Thomas, a Lake Wylie resident for 11 years. Hes responded to fishing lures as if interested, Medford said. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. It isnt close. 49.81 square miles vs 21 square miles. 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. Is there any truth to these stories? One person who viewed the photograph suggested it was a big nasty snake.. The only time an alligator has actually been in Lake Wylie is when someone caught an alligator somewhere else and dumped it here (and quickly picked up by Wildlife officials). At the time of the 2010 census, the population was 8,841. I dont want anything to happen to the alligator, but I certainly dont want him on the lake, said Christine Thomas, a Lake Wylie resident for 11 years. DNR officials searched for the animal after residents reported multiple sightings. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? Pleasant Knoll, Gold Hill and the new Fort Mill Virtual Academy have seen leadership changes this summer. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said then the gators were likely . Medford learned of the gator, estimated to be about 20inches long, about two months ago when an angler contacted him with photos. The two returned to the spot April 9 in preparation for a tournament this weekend. However, because it is a popular fishing destination, much fish will likely be in the Lake. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. Medford said alligator bites are rare, and typically the concern is protecting small pets. Rupert Medford, N.C Wildlife Resource Commission District 6 biologist, said he didnt expect the alligator to survive through winter. Giant snakes were not the only mysterious creatures inhabiting the river in the days before European settlement of the region. The truth is, Alligators do not live in Lake Wylie. "I don't want. In 2009, three 4-foot-long alligators were sighted near Elks Park Campground in Rock Hill, near Lake Wylie Dam. Never seen an alligator in the Catawba River, but the local media has reported alligator . I dont think its posing a threat yet.. Catherine Muccigrosso - cmuccigrosso@lakewyliepilot.com. One person suggested it was a a big nasty snake, while another said it was nothing more than a floating log. 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. 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. At first, I thought it was a dog or deer, shoot, maybe a scuba diver!, The photo was taken around 7:15 p.m. Saturday, and the thing appeared at first to be swimming toward her, then turned away, she wrote. 05-06-2015, 02:58 PM CarolinaWoman : 10,109 posts, read 10,395,323 times Reputation: 8573. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. There is no definitive answer to this question. GATOR FOUND: How did a gator get into Lake Wylie? "Wylie Hydroelectric Station Celebrates 75 Years Of Service: A Little History Gets A Chance To Shine", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Wylie&oldid=1094559366, This page was last edited on 23 June 2022, at 10:41. The next day, Antonio Figueroa and his brother were fishing on their kayaks when they spotted the gator. He said while people who learn about the gator say theyll never swim in the lake again, Carnes isnt worried. The children are scared to death," said Orr. Kayakers on Lake Wylie near Copperhead Island boat docks were surprised by a visitor spotted on a log earlier this month. 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. We just watched, she said. Contents 1 History 2 Other information 3 See also 4 References 5 External links History [ edit] Andrew Dys: 803-329-4065 . I dont want anything to happen to the alligator, but I certainly dont want him on the lake, she said. Now the gators have taken up residence and Doctor Roberts says they could live there a long time. There is also fishing. At first, I thought it was a dog or deer, shoot, maybe a scuba diver!. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. He said he fishes about 200 days on the lake. Plate asked in the photo's accompanying text. The nature center also has a pier where anglers can fish. I dont think itll mess you.. In the past, he said, 6- to 8-foot gators have been sighted in Lake Wylie and other bodies of water where alligators dont normally live. It could've been released. Lake Wylie is a 12,000-acre lake on the northern border of South Carolina, at Tega Cay. This story was originally published April 9, 2015, 5:29 PM. Lake Wylie's location on both the South Carolina and North Carolina borders makes it a common recreational destination for residents of nearby cities including Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill.