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Watauga Lake is created by a hydroelectric dam, so it fills in steep valleys eroded by several small rivers. The water is very clean, and the deepest part of the lake is 300 feet deep. The reservoir is over 16 miles long with 106 miles of shoreline. A large part of the shoreline is part of the Cherokee National Forest. The Appalachian Trail crosses the dam. This is an excellent lake for fishing and boating. My type of boating is a sea kayak. I usually see motor boats and some sail boats, but the lake never seems crowded, except perhaps on hot summer days, on special weekends. For more details about the lake, visit: http://www.tennesseelakeinfo.com/watauga/index.html
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There are sections of the lake with long stretches of open water. |
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| Lake Ridge Development is near the eastern edge, where the Watauga River runs into the lake. The lake is narrow, and more protected from the wind. |
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| This is the beginning of Draft Road, near Pioneer Landing.
The picture below is looking upstream from the bridge. The picture below and right is taken downstream. The lake is quickly becoming wider. |
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| The Elk River also feeds Watauga Lake. This picture is taken about five miles from Lake Ridge. |
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| A short distance from the lake, views like this are common. You are in beautiful mountains, and fall colors are a special treat. |
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