Lake Norman Vertical Bridge Clearances

The Catawba River Channel that winds through Lake Norman is spanned by five major bridges. One of which is a picturesque railroad bridge that passes over the river near the town of Catawba, NC. Sixteen additional bridges cross creeks or connect exclusive island properties to the mainland. Listed below are the approximate vertical bridge clearances when the lake is at full pond (760 feet above sea level). Wave height must be factored in when boat clearances are tight. The bridge clearances shown have been gathered from lake observations and information provided by the Lake Norman Marine Commission.
• I-40 Bridge - Catawba River - over 10′ 0″
• Highway 70 Bridge - Catawba River - over 10′ 0″
• Railroad Bridge - Catawba River - over 10′ 0″
• Railroad Bridge - Buffalo Creek - 3′ 0″
• Buffalo Shoals Rd. Bridge - Catawba River - over 10′ 0″
• State Rd. 1832 - Balls Creek - 5′ 6″
• Windermere Island Bridge - Catawba River - over 10′ 0″
• Mollys Backbone Rd. Bridge - Terrapin Creek - 2′ 0″
• State Park Rd. Bridge - Hicks Creek - 3′ 0″
• Perth Rd. Bridge - Rocky Creek - 3′ 0″
• Perth Rd. Bridge - Cornelius Creek - 5 ‘3″
• Cornelius Rd. Bridge -Cornelius Creek - 4 ‘0″
• Highway 150 Bridge - Catawba River - 8′ 5″ & 11′ 1″
• Highway 150 Bridge - Mountain Creek - 5′ 9″
• Highway 150 Bridge - Reed Creek (LKN Marina) - 5′ 9″
• Mount Pleasant Rd. Bridge - Mountain Creek - 5′ 5″
• Railroad Bridge - Mountain Creek - 6′ 3″
• Slanting Bridge Rd. - Mountain Creek - over 10′ 0″
• Governors Island Rd. Bridge - East of Burton Creek - 7′ 10″
• Williamson Rd. Bridge - Reeds Creek - 6′ 0″
• I - 77 Bridge - Reeds Creek - 10′ 3″