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A Kayaker's Close-up view of Watauga Lake: Part 1
All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2007 - present
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"Watauga Lake, nestled amongst the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest in northeastern Tennessee, enjoys the most stunningly beautiful lake and mountain views in the 'Volunteer State'. Started in 1942 and finally dammed on the last day of 1948, Watauga Lake is the TVA's highest-elevated reservoir in Tennessee. Surrounded by densely forested mountains in the "high country", Watauga Lake sits 1,959 feet above sea level at "full pool" (full summertime elevation)." |
Watauga Lake is 16 miles long and has nearly 105 miles of shoreline. The lake becomes quite broad at the locations where the Watauga River, Roan Creek and Elk River converge. Its layout makes the lake's panorama views breathtaking at times. Most see these views from pontoon boats, sailboats and large houseboats. But the unique nature of the lake is best revealed in its shoreline where the visitor can see the rock formations, protruding trees and adjacent farmland and can imagine what lies below the surface of the TVA-dammed lake. |
"Watauga Lake, or Lake Watauga as it is sometimes called, is 16.3 miles long and covers 6,430 acres (10.05 square miles). Its maximum depth at full pool is estimated at 305 feet -- and 265 feet at the dam. According to the TVA's Rerervoir Operations Study (completed in 2004), Watauga Lake boasts 104.9 miles of shoreline. Just 47 miles of shoreline are privately owned. Many of those 47 "private" miles are below the 100-year flood plain (1,975 feet above sea level) and can accommodate only temporary structures like RVs and campers. The other 58 miles of shoreline are public land. Most of those 58 are part of Cherokee National Forest and can never be developed, which will help Watauga Lake to remain the most beautiful and pristine lake in the TVA."~ www.wataugalaketennessee.com (see link below) |
One of the best ways to see the shoreline up close is by kayak, canoe, rowboat or other small non-motorized boat. Due to the nature of the formation of the lake, much of the shoreline is approachable within a few feet. The boater can see unique trees with exposed roots, beautiful rock formations and occasional glimpses of the ducks, herons and other birds and animals. And while you watch the fisher-men and -women in their boats and on the shore determined to catch a fish, you see fish jumping all around you! |
The lake's marinas have "no wake" zones which require motorized boats to slow down to speeds at which they do not produce a wake in the water. No problem for kayaks and canoes! Courteous boaters slow down when near kayaks and canoes. Links to references in this article and to sites related to the Watauga lake Boat Parade: |