Localwaters

Description of Watauga Lake: Facts and Information about fishing, boating and camping with maps, photos please see the Menus above

Watauga Lake, located southeast of Elizabethton, Tennessee, was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with the completion of the TVA Watauga Dam and Reservoir.

The Cherokee National Forest surrounds both the Tennessee Valley Authority Watauga Reservoir and Wilbur Reservoir in an area of northeast Tennessee that TVA describes as being located “…in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed.

Construction of Watauga Dam began in early 1942 but was curtailed later that year in favor of other wartime building efforts. Work on TVA Watauga Dam resumed in 1946, and finished at the end of 1948, impounding both the Watauga River and Elk River for the purposes of flood, hydropower generation and downstream navigation on the Tennessee River and Reservoir system.

Watauga Dam historical marker.

The original town of Butler, Tennessee, now sits at the bottom of Watauga Lake. “New” Butler was relocated to higher ground above the summer pool edge of the TVA reservoir. Other nearby Tennessee cities and communities include Hampton, Elizabethton, Roan Mountain, Mountain City, Johnson City, and Bristol.

Watauga Lake covers parts of Johnson and Carter Counties.

Another much smaller nearby lake that is not part of the TVA system is the Ripshin Lake located 6 miles (10 km) SW of Roan Mountain.

According to lake expert Holly C Ward, Watauga Lake is the third cleanest in the country.

More than half of Watauga Lake’s shoreline lies within the Cherokee National Forest and cannot be developed. Recreational uses include boating, fishing, water-skiing, and camping. There is no horsepower limit or speed limit for boats operating on the lake. Several fee-based public and private boat launch ramps provide access on the Hampton side of the reservoir.

The release of impounded water from both TVA Watauga Dam and TVA Wilbur Dam provides additional downstream riverine recreational opportunities such as whitewater rafting, trout fishing, and kayaking on the Watauga River.

Houseboat owners have been conducting a large annual July 4 Boat Parade on Watauga Lake since 2001. The Watauga Lake boat parade starts at 2:00 p.m Credit above: Wiki

At more than 1,900 feet above sea level, Watauga holds the distinction of being the highest reservoir in the Tennessee River system. The reservoir is managed for many uses, including flood damage reduction, power generation, water quality, and aquatic ecology.

Surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains, Watauga Reservoir is one of the most scenic in the Tennessee River watershed. It offers access to the Appalachian Trail. Below Watauga Dam is a wildlife observation area where visitors have a chance to view unique species of waterfowl. Credit above: TVA

Watauga Lake holds the Tennessee state record for Ohrid Trout at 14 lbs. 5 oz. and Lake Trout at 22 lbs. 2 oz. Large rainbows and Brown

Trout are regularly caught here as well. Due to the deep, cold water and high elevation Watauga Lake is ideal for trout and colder water

fish such as small mouth bass.

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