When Falls of the Neuse was completed in 1981, the 28-mile long reservoir not only provided drinking water for surrounding communities, aided with flood control and created wildlife habitat, it also offered outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, that had a significant economic impact upon the area.
According to a 2012 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Value to the Nation recreation report, Falls Lake and its facilities produced these benefits:
• 518,903 visits by fishermen
• 69,009 visits by hunters
• 42,396 campers
• 407,695 boaters
• 223,248 picnickers
• 631,317 sightseers
• 175,636 swimmers
• 29,233 water skiers
• 373,672 others
• 1,745,094 in total
The 1,745,094 visits produced:
• $59,454 in visitor spending within 30 miles of the lake
• $27,225 in sales within 30 miles of the lake
• 430 jobs within 30 miles of the lake
• $11,482 in labor income within 30 miles of the lake
• $17, 292 in value added within 30 miles of the lake
