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Watauga Dam, Wilbur Dam and the Wilbur Reservoir
All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2007 - present
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Wilbur Lake is between the Watauga Dam Powerhouse and the Wilbur Dam (see photo at right.) This is a beautiful part of the area and the Lake is know for its very cold waters which are drawn off from the lower depths of the Watauga Lake. |
Just below the Wilbur Dam is a put-in location for rafters. They move out into swiftly-moving clear water. Floating on the Watauga River, the Bee Cliff is located approximately 10 to 15 minutes downstream on the Watauga River from the TVA Wilbur Dam and approximately one hour and forty-five minutes upstream of the city of Elizabethton, Tennessee. "For whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Watauga River, the most popular Carter County "put-in" for whitewater rafting is found immediately downstream of the TVA Wilbur Dam and the most popular "take-out" is found approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours downstream (depending upon the volume of the reservoir release and other factors) at the Blackbottom riverside portion of the linear trail in Elizabethton" |
According to the TVA: "Wilbur and Watauga Reservoirs are located almost three miles from each other on the Watauga River in some of the most beautiful country in the Tennessee River watershed. The reservoirs are surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains. Even in the dog days of summer, Wilbur and Watauga remain cool, with a constant breeze blowing through the Watauga River gorge." |
Along the way is a beautiful campground, The Watauga Dam Tailwater Campground, which is a self-service campsite with electric hookups, restrooms with heated showers and flush toilets, canoe access and boat ramps above and below dam. Visitors have easy access to picnic tables, hiking trails, walking trails and wildlife-viewing and bird-watching areas.
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At right, a trail leads off from the Visitors' Center and the Watauga Dam. Links to references in this article and to sites related to the Watauga lake Dam, Wilbur Dam and Wilbur Lake Reservoir:
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