Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee Georgia
Beautiful Lake Chatuge is nestled between two states and the two towns of Hiawassee Georgia and Hayesville North Carolina
This pristine lake has 132 miles of shoreline and is ideal for fishing, swimming, boating and camping.
The place “where the water dogs laughed,” is how Cherokee legend described the Tusquittee area. A part of the Nantahala National Forest in Clay County, North Carolina., it is one of the most scenic lakes in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) water system. This pristine lake, exquisitely nestled between the Tusquittee Mountains named “the Great Blue Hills of God,” by the Cherokee has 128 miles of shoreline and is ideal for fishing, swimming, boating and camping. Visitors enjoy casual walks along the dam with its spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The lake has numerous outcrops of land forming numerous private coves that are for great fishing, swimming, boating, and water sports. The fishing is great with more than 32 species in the lake.
Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area is located on a pine-wooded peninsula with hiking trails that offer delightful views of Lake Chatuge making it a popular family recreation area. Clay County Recreation Park is also a hit with families. This area has bathrooms, picnic facilities, a sand beach and a shore-side fenced playground for the little ones. Many boaters like to pull up along the shore for a break from the sun and enjoy of bit of land time for lunch.
Technical Facts of Lake Chatuge
The dam is made up of 21,900 cubic yards of concrete, and there was 362,466 cubic yards of earth excavation for the foundation.
Normal maximum pool for Lake Chatuge flood control holds 7,050 acre feet of water. Lake Chatuge has 1 enclosed water-cooled generator and a second generator that was added later.
Lake Chatuge has 128 miles of shoreline with 4 miles of island shoreline giving a total of 132 miles of shoreline. Chatuge Dam is 144 feet high, 2,850 feet long, and 980 feet wide at the base.
The reservoir is operated for many uses mostly built for power generation and flood control. It is also beneficial for water quality, aquatic ecology and helps maintain navigation depth on the TVA ferment dam system.
Activities:
Fishing, swimming, skiing, camping, boating, hiking.
Clay County Recreation Park:
25 campsites, picnic shelters, ball field, swimming area, and a boat-launching ramp.
Directions
6.2 miles east from Hayesville on US 64 (turn right onto NC 175).
Jackrabbit Mountain:
103 camping sites, swimming beach with showers, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a boat launching ramp.
Directions
Jackrabbit Mountain: From Hayesville,travel east on US 64, turn south and travel 2.5 miles on NC 175, turn right on SR 1155.
Fees:
There is a charge for camping.
Closest towns:
Hayesville, North Carolina, approximately 6 miles.
Hiawassee Georgia
For more information:
District Ranger Andy Gaston
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-5152
sm.fs.tusquiteerd@usda.gov
Business Hours:
(Mon – Fri) 8-4:30
Boat Rental
Boundary Waters Resort & Marina
107 Boundary Waters Drive, Hiawassee, GA 30546
(706) 896-2530
