Duke Energy's Great Falls Enhancement Project is breathing new life into the Catawba River in Great Falls, South Carolina, transforming the historic mill town into a premier outdoor recreation destination. The project restores water flow to two river channels that had been dewatered since the construction of the Great Falls Hydro Station in 1907, creating exciting whitewater recreation opportunities and enhancing aquatic habitats along the way.
The ambitious initiative includes the development of a new state park on Dearborn Island, accessible via a pedestrian bridge constructed by Duke Energy, featuring hiking trails, viewing areas, primitive camping, a yurt village, and historical interpretation of the 19th-century Mount Dearborn Armory and Arsenal ruins. New trail connections to the regional Carolina Thread Trail network, fishing areas near the Fishing Creek Dam, and multiple canoe and kayak access points are also part of the comprehensive plan.
The transformation represents a collaborative effort between Duke Energy, the Great Falls Hometown Association, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and the Katawba Valley Land Trust. With Duke Energy investing nearly $81 million in the area as part of their Catawba-Wateree relicensing agreement, Great Falls is positioning itself as a signature outdoor recreation destination in the Southeast.