Localwaters

Chilhowee Lake is formed by a hydroelectric dam located in Blount and Monroe counties, Tennessee, between river mile 33 and 34 on the Little Tennessee River. Construction began in 1955 and was completed in 1957. The dam’s reservoir covers approximately 1,734 acres at regular full pool and has a drainage area of 1,977 square miles (5,120 km2). The elevtion of Chilhowee is 874 feet above sea level. Chilhowee’s powerhouse has three Kaplan turbines that have a combined generating capacity of 48 megawatts.

Like Calderwood and Cheoah, Chilhowee water flow is controlled by TVA’s Fontana Dam. Fontana Dam is the primary flow control facility for the lower Little Tennessee River. Tapoco built and operates the Chilhowee Development. As of 2013 the Nature Conservancy is in talks to buy 4,000 acres of property nearby.

Chilhowee Dam and its powerhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Chilhowee Hydroelectric Development.[3]
Courtesy Wikipedia

Two of my favorite fishing places in Tennessee are on Chilhowee Lake. In the general vicinity of Abrams Creek Bridge but out in the lake a ways is a good place to catch some big trout at certain times of the year and a particular time of day. Though my favorite fishing on Chilhowee is up-lake beyond Tabcat Creek. Calderwood dam’s generating unit is at the head of the lake and when they are generating water the fishing off the boils can be productive.

My favorite fishing in the area is above Chilhowee in the “dewatered” section of the Little Tennessee River. It’s called dewatered because Alcoa built a diversion of Calderwood Lake’s water to create more head pressure to turn the turbines. This is a relic section of the old river bed, less than a mile in length and in a sharp bend made special because this is the last place in Tennessee you can see the truly creative nature of the Little Tennessee River. The exposed river bed is a maze of sculptures in fantastic shapes with numerous holes scoured out by pebbles and once certainly used by native people to grind their corn. At least that’s what I thought when I saw them. It’s a magical place, like a museum of sorts to me and the fishing is good too, what a combination.

The river here still holds flowing water from leaks in Calderwood dam above and small springs along it’s course, enough water for small rainbow trout, some of which are wild. I’ve never caught a Brook Trout here. In this last remaining free stone section of the Little Tennessee River it’s best to practice catch and release. At least I hope you will if I’m the one you learned about the place from. Another thing-be sure to check for the legality of your ingress, Alcoa has leases in the area. This is rough country, very steep in places and entirely rough except for a mowed section above the river that may be Alcoa property. Expect to see a bear here fishing and beware of copperheads they are thick in this area.

Localwaters- Dec 2012

Please consider showing your appreciation of Chilhowee Lake by picking up some litter during your next visit, many hands make light work.