The Village of Whispering Pines owns and maintains eight lakes within the corporate limits. Use of the Village lakes is reserved for residents, property owners and their guests. For additional information regarding the lakes please see Chapter J of the Whispering Pines Code of Ordinances
Aquatic Weeds
In early 2011, the invasive aquatic weed Hydrilla was spotted in Thagard’s Lake. During October 2011, the Village worked with scientists from North Carolina State University to conduct an invasive weed survey, in order to determine the extent of invasive weeds and to establish a plan of action for controlling these weeds.
Scientists from NCSU used sonar to map submerged aquatic vegetation, and rake sampling to identify weeds, in the following Whispering Pines water bodies: Thagards, Spring Valley, Whisper, Shadow, Fly Rod, Blue, and Pine Lakes and Hummingbird Pond. Click here to see detailed results of the survey: NCSU Whispering Pines 7 Lakes Survey
The results of the study were positive, Hydrilla was found only in Thagards Lake. With the information from this survey, the Village will be able to develop an aquatic weed control plan for all of our lakes. In the meantime, in order to prevent the spread of Hydrilla, boats and trailers used in Thagards lake must be washed down thoroughly, with all vegetation and mud removed.
On February 22nd representatives from NCSU presented the following powerpoint presentation to Bob Kissinger, Public Works Director, and members of Council and the Lakes and Watershed Board regarding options to control the hydrilla in Thagard Lake. WP Lake Survey Powerpoint
Lakes Management Plans:
Thagard Lake 209 Acres Spring Valley Lake 89 Acres Pine Lake 48 Acres
Whisper Lake 41 Acres Shadow Lake 28 Acres Fly Rod Lake 8 Acres
Cardinal Lake 6 Acres Blue Lake 9 Acres
Lake access and picnic areas
Only Whispering Pines residents, village employees, taxpayers, and their guests may use the lakes and picnic areas. Owners or authorized users of Time Share Units at the CCWP Villas may use the lakes for recreational purposes during the time of Time Share occupancy only.
Guests of residents or property owners may use the lake recreational facilities only when accompanied by the host, or when in possession of a guest pass that has been issued by the Village clerk.
Groups larger than ten people may reserve the picnic grounds for non-commercial purposes.
The picnic areas and other access areas are closed to all persons and to the parking of vehicles or trailers of any type during the period from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
Current boat stickers are required for all boats, including boats stored at lakefront access areas. Boats only (no motors and no trailers) may be stored in designated access areas at the owner's risk.
Locations and facilities:
Thagard Lake:
# 12 - picnic area, boat storage racks, car access boat ramp on South Lakeshore Drive
# 57 - swimming area; boat storage racks on Lakeview Drive
Spring Valley Lake: Pine Ridge Drive
# 204 boat storage racks, swimming area;
# 68 - picnic area, boat storage racks, car accessible boat ramp
Pine Lake: Car accessible boat ramp on Niagara Carthage Road
Fly Rod Lake: Car accessible boat ramp on Sunset Drive
Shadow Lake: Car accessible boat ramp access after 57 Shadow Drive.
Whisper Lake: Car accessible boat ramp next to #1 Dewberry Drive.
Operation of boats
North Carolina registration is required for any boat propelled by any type of motor. All North Carolina boating laws and safety rules and regulations apply. North Carolina Wildlife and the Whispering Pines Police Department patrols the lakes and enforces North Carolina safety regulations and water safety regulations for boats.
Electric motors are allowed on all the lakes. Internal combustion engines are only allowed on Thagard Lake.
Boats may be operated on the lakes only between the hours of one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Boats with properly displayed running lights are allowed until 9:00 P.M. during the month of December.
BOAT OWNERS
All boats stored at lakefront access areas must have current stickers, or the boats will be secured by Village Code Enforcement. Please place boats upside down so they do not catch water, which creates mosquito breeding areas.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted at the swimmer's own risk. Children under the age of 12 are prohibited from swimming, boating or playing in the lakes unless accompanied by an adult responsible for the safety of the child. Appropriate swimming attire must be worn.
Fishing licenses are required.
North Carolina fishing licenses are required for fishing in any of our lakes, and all fishermen must comply with North Carolina fishing laws. Fishing from bridges is prohibited. Fishing from the dams is prohibited where posted. Fishing from a boat with a permit is authorized during daylight hours only. Large mouth bass, pickerel, and crappie are the main species of game fish found in the lakes.
Lake ecology
No person shall place trash, refuse or material of any kind into any lake, pond, river or stream. No person shall clean docks, piers, boathouses or boats with detergents or chemicals where runoff goes into any lake, pond, river or stream.
A watershed is the area of land that drains into a body of water, such as a river, lake, stream, or bay. Each lake within Whispering Pines has its own watershed, but the Village as a whole is located within the Little River watershed, which is part of the Cape Fear River Basin.
Contamination of our watershed can result from everyday activities such as fertilizing the lawn, walking pets, changing motor oil, or littering. With each rainfall, contaminants from these activities can be washed from the entire watershed into local waterways.
If you are interested in learning more about protecting Village waters or participating in watershed management planning please join the Whispering Pines Lakes & Watershed Board watershed mailing list by sending an email to WPwatershed@gmail.com
Fish habitat.
The Lakes and Watershed Board Fish Habitat Program volunteer committee has placed Christmas tree brush piles in the lakes and under some docks for fish habitat. Submerged brush piles are anchored in a few locations where the water is at least ten feet deep and where there is clearance of at least five feet of water above the brush pile. Be on the lookout for these structures. Dock owners who wish to have the Lakes and Watershed Board Fish Habitat Program volunteer committee place a Christmas tree underneath their docks, please go to Village Hall and sign a request.