The Lakes of Graham County

LAKE SANTEETLAH is often referred to as the "Gem of the Smokies" and considered Graham County's greatest attraction.  The lake is privately owned by Alcoa and does not suffer the severe draw downs of other mountain lakes.  The crystal clear mountain lake covers over 2,800 acres with almost 80 miles of shoreline.  The waters of Lake Santeetlah is fed by the pristine mountain streams of Graham  County.  Approximately 11 of the 80 miles of shoreline is populated, with the remainder belonging to the Nantahala  National Forest. 

 

 

FONTANA LAKE  More than 90 percent of the land around the lake is owned by either the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the US Forest Service.  The lake is 29 miles long lake and has more than 240 miles of almost totally undeveloped shoreline. Fontana Dam was completed in 1944 and stands 480 foot high, which is the highest dam in the Eastern United States and the fourth highest in the country.  Fontana Dam and Lake serve several purposes, chief among them being flood regulation and power production. Releases from the lake also benefit downstream navigation by  contributing to the water volume during periods of low flow. In the normal operating cycle, the lake is drawn down during fall and winter months to provide ample space for winter rains, and is allowed to fill when danger of floods is passed.  Fontana Lake provides a number of recreational diversions including fishing, boating and water skiing.  The scenery from the lake is unmatched.  While boating on the lake a unique perspective of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be enjoyed.