Lake Norman, North Carolina is purported to have its own legendary monster nicknamed “Normie”. Lake Norman, North Carolina is the place I went to in search of their monster “Normie”. Here’s more about the alleged creature of a North Carolina waterway called The Lake Norman Monster, or “Normie” to his close friends.
I’ll scour the highest mountains and lowest valleys to get to the truth of the story (at least this is what dealing with air travel is like anymore). So I headed out to Lake Norman, North Carolina in search of this legendary monster.
Some History of Lake Norman, North Carolina
Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in North Carolina. It was created between 1959 and 1964. It took four years to build the Cowans Ford Dam and 2 additional years to fill the lake, which is still fed by the Catawba River. This project helps electrify the Piedmont Region of the Carolinas, and provides water to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Catawba Indians lived off this area and the river for hundreds of years before it was settled by the Europeans. It was fought over by farmers against the British at Cowan’s Ford (now under water) in the winter of 1781. With industrial progress would come the distinction in 1928 of the Catawba River being “the world’s most electrified river”, featuring ten dams and twelve power houses. But one more dam and manmade lake was in the works to be completed to help flood control. The flood of 1916 lingered in the minds of the locals.
On a map, Lake Norman, North Carolina looks like a giant inkblot, and has some 520 miles of shore line, but is only 34 miles long and 50 square miles, holding some 32,000 acres of water (roughly 3 billion gallons). It’s not surprising that a monster allegedly lurks here amidst all the lake’s nooks and crannies, whose fingers-like shoreline is filled with ostentatious-looking homes and thriving trees from the pine, oak, and willow family. The monster “Normie”, if it does exist, can hide in 130 feet of water in its deepest part (the south end at the Cowans Ford Dam which is less than 15 miles from downtown Charlotte). The average depth of Lake Norman, North Carolina is only around 30 feet.
Meeting Captain Gus
The day before getting on the boat, I had a chance to talk with a local boat captain named “Captain Gus”, who’s lived in this area since 1960 and guides lake cruises and fishing tours.
Captain Gus said that when people have claimed to see The Lake Norman Monster, what they may have seen in reality is a 4-foot female gar who’s spawning and being followed closely by 15-20 male gar (who’re three feet long), which Captain Gus calls “a Daisy chain”, giving off the impression of a long monster-type fish.
This gregarious North Carolina fellow is very philosophical about this pre-occupation with the alleged monster in the lake, saying that if people talk openly about seeing UFO’s or lake monsters such as “Normie”, then others will think they’re crazy. Yet creating a website about these subjects is considered more acceptable in the minds of people, which is why you’ll find web information dedicated to the Lake Norman monster here
More Theories Behind The Lake Norman Monster
Adding to the mystery is the fact that a species of mysterious freshwater jellyfish have been found in Lake Norman. 2.5 foot long salamanders known as “hellbenders” have been spotted, too, as well as decades-long reports of seeing human-sized catfish near the Cowans Ford Dam. “Captain Gus” caught one weighing 52 pounds! Eels and snakehead fish exist here, too. Could any of these strange creatures of Mother Nature be “Normie”? Other sightings in the Lake Norman, North Carolina area have included seeing long and serpent-like creatures with strange fins. Some have claimed to see a monster on the shoreline. Grass Carp were introduced into this lake several years ago to help rid nuisance plants, and given that carp can grow big, were people mistaking them for the sea monster?
Into The Lake
It was a cloudy and blustery day as I ventured out into the southern part of Lake Norman, North Carolina on a large 67-foot vessel called Yachta Yachta Yachta in hopes of being able to say that I saw ol’ “Normie”. The man captaining the boat told me he would have to think about my questions about “Normie”, but never did get back to me.
But lucky for me, another licensed boat captain named Troy Neil was on board serving as crew member. He’s a man who’s had well over 20 years of experience on boats, including six years working in the Caribbean on 40-110 foot yachts, where people asked him more about pirates than they did sea monsters. He’s guided some of the rich and famous on the waters, though I swore to him I wouldn’t give out any names. Sans openly proclaiming his former high profile clients, this seafarer gladly talks about his other sailing experiences. Yet Captain Neil of the Lake Norman, North Carolina area has also got some great insights into human nature when it comes to folks being fascinated by and looking for sea monsters, then reporting what one supposedly witnessed.
It’s more urban legend”, Captain Neil quipped. “From past experience people exaggerate the size of fishes, even on the islands (like dolphins or rays). The cause is human curiosity or wanting to be the person that’s discovered it, but [the process] gets misconstrued.”
Captain Neil said that he never saw one sea monster, even while sailing on the Puerto Rico Trench. He’s seen dolphins, whales, and whale sharks countless times. Captain Neil went on to comment, as my eyes kept darting the bluish-green and rather calm waters of Lake Norman, North Carolina hoping to see “Normie”, that when something is emerged in water, its size is magnified by 25 per cent. Even the captain running the ship commented to Neil that he didn’t know that as the vessel sped along at about 4 knots.
I didn’t see “Normie” or anything else in the waters on my peaceful cruise which lasted over an hour (though I did lose track of time while cruising Lake Norman, North Carolina), not even one small fish, but that’s all right. Talking to such experienced men of the waters like Captain Gus and Captain Neil gave me more insights into this issue about monsters. On one hand, it’s fun to think that such ominous creatures exist in the hopes that one could be of the few to document the actuality of such legends. But on the other hand, when facts and established common sense are applied, getting to the actual truth is easier, and sometimes more interesting.
If you’re fascinated by tales of monsters like Bigfoot or “Normie”, pursue it by going to Lake Norman, North Carolina or wherever, just like I did. You never know what insights your travels will lead you to, like learning more about the human condition!
Roy’s Lake Norman, North Carolina Travel Tips
Besides monster hunting, many other great outdoor activities are available in this area at the 1,300-plus acre Lake Norman State Park, which is found at the lake’s north end. Fishing for catfish, yellow perch, and white bass are popular here on the 33 acres of fishing area. Visitors can boat, water ski, camp, hike, swim, and bike ride. While exploring, you might see opossum, frogs, snakes, turtles, pine warblers, wild turkey, and herons, and maybe even the Lake Norman Monster called “Normie”.
Lake Norman State Park: 159 Inland Sea Lane, Troutman, North Carolina 28166. 704-528-6350. Email: [email protected] Website is in the “Resources” box.
Lake Norman, North Carolina Hotel Tip
I stayed at the Country Suites by Carlson Lake Norman. The beds are comfortable and you get free high speed internet as well as a small work desk. I could store my bottled water in the refrigerator, which was in the room that included a microwave.
Country Suites by Carlson Lake Norman: 16617 Statesville Rd., Huntersville, North Carolina 28078. 704-895-6565 or 888-201-1746. Website is below in the “Resources” box.
Reference:
- Lake Norman State Park: www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/lano/main.php
