History of the Lake

The John H. Kerr Reservoir was completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1952 by impounding two rivers, the Roanoke River and the Dan River. This impoundment created an approximately 50,000 acre lake that overlaps the borders of two states, North Carolina and Virginia.

In North Carolina, the John H. Kerr Reservoir lies within three counties, Vance, Granville and Warren. Although it was named for a former North Carolina congressman, John H. Kerr, the residents of the state of Virginia know the lake as Buggs Lake, or Buggs Island Reservoir.

Recreational Opportunities Abound

Originally created for flood control and to generate hydro-electric power, the lake has since become renowned for recreational purposes. It provides visitors and residents alike with a ready source for fishing, boating, kayaking, sailing, swimming, skiing, hunting and camping. With an abundance of fish life including largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, channel catfish, flatheads and more, the lake is extremely popular with fishermen.

Two marinas on the North Carolina side of the reservoir, Steel Creek Marina and Satterwhite Point Marina, offer gas docks, wet slips and storage to boaters and fishermen. The Corps of Engineers also provides a number of boat launch facilities and defined areas for swimmers around the lake boundaries. Wildlife management techniques have ensured that there are thousands of acres available for hiking, wildlife viewing and hunting. Camping is another popular pastime in the area.

Living on the Lake

With over 850 miles of shoreline and a depth of 100 feet at the dam (but an average depth of only 30 feet), the waters of the reservoir have a massive appeal to people of both states not only for recreational purposes, but for lakefront living as well.

Although the Army Corps of Engineers owns to the 320 foot elevation, the lakefront has a variety of housing ranging from gated communities with community dock privileges to estate homes with private docks and boat lifts.