North Carolina boasts a series of natural lakes, all somewhat near the coast, and each consists of unique characteristics. The second-largest of the natural lakes in North Carolina is found in the Town of Lake Waccamaw, which happens to surround a lake with the same name. Lake Waccamaw (the body of water, not the town) is estimated to be as old as 30,000 years old, and its beauty is simply breathtaking. But the history surrounding this gorgeous lake involves a bit of mystery and perhaps even an ancient lovers’ quarrel that may have changed the lay of the land for eternity. Read on to learn more! Which of North Carolina’s lakes are your favorites? Let us know!

The surface of Lake Waccamaw spans 8,938 acres - or, just short of 14 square miles.
Google/Brusso Lenoir, Jr
The surface is a dark sapphire for most of the year and creates some stunning reflections of the sky when the water is particularly smooth. On the stillest of days, sometimes you can catch the reflections of clouds on the surface. It is magic.
The shallow-water lake has a depth of a mere 7.5 feet, on average. In spite of its shallow depth, it was once used by transport boats that carried cypress shingles by boat from a lumber company on one side of the lake to the train station on the other side so they could be transported to market.
Google/Jamie Smith
In spite of its shallow depth, it was once used by transports that carried cypress shingles by boat from a lumber company on one side of the lake to the train station on the other side so they could be transported to market. The lake was an important hub for trade and business, though today, things have calmed down a bit.
But that doesn't even break the surface when it comes to the interesting history of North Carolina's oldest lake.
Google/Brusso Lenoir, Jr
There have been a few interesting developments about the history of this lake. For example: whales used to live where the lake now sits.

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Apparently, there were once whales (well, at least ONE whale) here. This isn't a joke - it was real, and you can see the remains of the said whale to this day.
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu
A whale fossil was found in the lake in 2008. Scientists would later determine the whale lived approximately one million to three million years ago. Long after the whales disappeared, Lake Waccamaw is believed to have been formed in some yet undefined way. But there are many theories.
A couple of the theories about how the lake was formed involve the Native Americans that settled here long before European settlers arrived.
Google/Robert Brown
One prominent Native American theory is that a ball of fire fell from the sky and dropped upon the most beautiful and serene garden space belonging to the people settled here. The people believed the ball of fire was sent to take the garden away because they had begun to take the beauty of the space for granted.
Still another Native American legend involves a love-stricken warrior who was denied marriage by a Native American princess who wanted to stay in her beautiful garden forever (where the lake now sits) and never get married.
Google/Ronald Boyles
Legend has it that the warrior became enraged after being turned down for marriage and subsequently killed all of the men in the village. After, the princess knelt down and asked to die in the garden and for the garden to be instantly turned into a beautiful lake whose waters would never run dry.
Some scientists believe the origin of North Carolina's oldest lake lies in the phenomenon known as the Carolina Bays.
Google/Scott Smith
Some believe that long, long ago, meteorites fell from the sky and that one of them hit the ground and formed the giant lake, scorching everything on the ground. Over time, routine dredging within the lake has turned up the charred remains of ancient tree stumps, which seems to support the meteorite theory.

In whatever way Lake Waccamaw was formed, it is most definitely worthy of a visit if you haven’t already. A great place to explore the oldest lake in North Carolina is at Waccamaw State Park, where you’ll find boardwalks both over and around the edge of the lake as well as primitive camping. Learn more about the state park on the official NC Parks website.

Waccamaw State Park Address: 1866 State Park Drive, Lake Waccamaw, NC, 28450

For more fascinating history in and around North Carolina, check out these 10 historic landmarks in North Carolina!

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Lake Waccamaw

Tori Jane | December 31, 2022
  1. How was Lake Waccamaw formed?  

There are numerous theories as to how Lake Waccamaw was formed – many of which are a little on the silly side, and some of which are on the interesting side. One of the most prevalent theories is that it was formed by a meteorite impact, but no evidence of this has ever been found. Fossils and remains of whales and other marine creatures have been found in and around the lake, and as the oldest lake in NC, Waccamaw provides plenty of geological evidence for the curious. 

2. How deep is Lake Waccamaw?  

Lake Waccamaw is famous in part for its unique, shallow oval shape. At its deepest, Lake Waccamaw is just 10.1 feet deep; its average depth is just seven and a half feet. This fairly shallow water limits the recreational activities that can be done here, but some of the more popular things to do at Lake Waccamaw in NC are:  

  • Swimming 
  • Shallow-water boating 
  • Fishing – there are some species at Lake Waccamaw that are endemic, meaning they only exist at Lake Waccamaw 
  • Camping 
  • Hiking 

 

3. What are some other notable lakes in North Carolina?  

Of course, Lake Waccamaw is not the only lake in North Carolina. Other lakes in NC worth visiting include lakes like:  

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