Norwood, NC in neighboring Stanly County uses as its town motto "Gateway to Lake Tillery".

The James B. Garrison Bridge is the only crossing of the Pee-Dee-Yadkin River between Badin Lake and Norwood.

In the 1920s when it was discovered that the 5,000-acre (20 km2) lake to be impounded behind the new dam would cover the original reinforced concrete and steel bridge, Carolina Power & Light (now Duke Energy Progress Inc), owner of the new dam, turned it over to the U.S. military for training purposes.

In 2008, in the context of its state licensing, the Southern Environmental Law Center challenged the power company's proposed minimum water flows in the 20-mile (32 km) stretch between Tillery Dam and Blewett Dam.

The SELC asserted that the proposed levels would violate the state's water quality standards, damage aquatic wildlife, and disrupt boating.