community in North Carolina
Honey bee forage in Lake Norman of Iredell, North Carolina
Estimated forage here is better than about 53% of sites in North Carolina. Against other North Carolina sites it stands out most in spring (68th percentile) and lowest in summer (47th). Biggest nearby bee crops: soybeans (nearest 2.8 mi W, grown 2 of the last 5 years); corn (nearest 2.8 mi W, grown 1 of the last 5 years).
When is the honey flow in Lake Norman of Iredell?
- First forage: Feb 1 (dandelion, clovers: white, alsike and red)
- Main flow: Mar 1 to May 31, peaking early Apr (clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion)
- Fall flow: Jun 16 to Jul 31 (clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, garden flowers)
- Season ends: Sep 30
Forage available to a colony through the year at the center of Lake Norman of Iredell, from what grows within flight range (about 3.7 miles) and when it blooms here. Dates are the model's estimate for a typical year; the spring index for this spot falls on Mar 29.
What the honey is made of
- Spring honey (March to June): clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, garden flowers, lindens / basswood; extra light amber, mixed: part of it sets quickly, part stays liquid
- Summer honey (July and August): clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, garden flowers, roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard); extra light amber, mixed: part of it sets quickly, part stays liquid
- Fall honey (September to November): garden flowers
- Whole season (March to November): clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, garden flowers; extra light amber, mixed: part of it sets quickly, part stays liquid
Nectar-source estimate (plants weighted by how much bees favor them), not a pollen analysis. Full honey estimate.
Bee crops within flight range
- Soybeans: about 5 acres in a typical year, nearest 2.8 mi W, blooms early May – late Jul (grown 2 of the last 5 years)
- Corn: about 6 acres in a typical year, nearest 2.8 mi W, blooms late May – late Jun (grown 1 of the last 5 years)
From USDA's crop maps for 2021–2025; fields rotate, so a crop counts by how often it was grown. Listing a field says nothing about its owner.
The land and water around Lake Norman of Iredell
Mostly: Open water; Developed, open space (parks, large lots, lawns); Developed, low intensity (houses and yards).
Nearest mapped water: pond, lake or river 0.06 mi E; open water 0.1 mi SE.
Things to watch
- Heavily developed. About 66% of the land within a mile is developed. Less room for forage, and more neighbors near the hives.
How Lake Norman of Iredell ranks
| Against random land in | Overall | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental US | 68th | 92nd | 41st | 25th |
| North Carolina | 53rd | 68th | 47th | 65th |
| Piedmont | 75th | 80th | 71st | 88th |
Percentiles among 3,000 random land points in each region, scored the same way: land in general, not beekeepers' apiaries.
The national forage map around Lake Norman of Iredell: darker is more forage. Tap anywhere to check that exact spot.
Nearby
Westport 4 mi · Lake Norman of Catawba 5 mi · Cornelius 6 mi · Mooresville 6 mi · Denver 6 mi · Davidson 8 mi
All towns in North Carolina · National map · How the scoring works
An estimate from public maps (USDA crop maps 2021–2025 averaged, LANDFIRE vegetation), not a survey of the ground. Maps can't see garden plantings, understory density, other beekeepers' hives, or this year's weather. The point is the Census Bureau's published center of Lake Norman of Iredell (35.5443, -80.9299); a yard a mile or two away can differ, so check your own spot. The FEMA flood map was not checked for this page. Benchmark 2026.5, built 2026-10-19. How this works · All sources.