Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 [1] as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located entirely within North Carolina.[2] It is fed by the Catawba River. It was named after former Duke Power president Norman Cocke. Lake Norman is sometimes referred to as the "inland sea"; it offers 520 miles (840 km) of shoreline and a surface area of more than 50 square miles (130 km2). Full pond elevation at Lake Norman is 760 feet (230 m). Interstate 77, North Carolina Highway 16 and North Carolina Highway 150 cross Lake Norman at different points.