The History And Interesting Facts About Lake Glenville

The construction of the Glenville-Thorpe project on the Tuckasegee River began in June of 1940 and was completed Oct. 13, 1942. It took 1500 men working seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, over 2 years to complete. Its’ purpose was to help provide hydroelectric power to Alcoa Aluminum, a nearby aluminum plant, for World War II production of B17s.  On many of the old maps it is referred to as Thorpe Reservoir. 

Lake Glenville has some of the most pristine waters in North Carolina, abundant vegetation, and is surrounded by several mountains with beautiful views.

Interesting facts about Lake Glenville:

• This lake has the highest elevation east of the Mississippi, at 3,942 feet.

• It has a total of five waterfalls around its perimeter

• It is 165 feet deep in places providing homes for pike, walleye and bass.

• It has a surface cover of 1470 acres

• It has 26 miles of shoreline

• There are four public islands

• Several major streams supply the lake with water: Hurricane Creek, Norton Creek, Mill Creek, Cedar Creek, and Pine Creek.

• The Glenville-Thorpe power station has the longest fall, dropping 1,207 feet, of any other hydroelectric plant in the Eastern United States

• Ralph J. Andrews County Park is a 79 acre facility providing access for many families to enjoy the lake as well as 30 RV sites and 30 tent sites.

• The Friends of Lake Glenville serve as stewards, and protectors of the lake.  June provides an annual spring clean up. Come join us! Help keep our lake pristine.

If you would love a home on the lake or would like lake view, check out Glenville Real Estate.

This material is based on information provided by third parties. It is deemed reliable, but we cannot represent it as being completely accurate, and should not be relied upon as such.