Watauga Lake Real Estate: Part 1
An overview of Watauga Lake

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2007
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

part 1: Overview    Go to part 2: Realtors
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Recommended Reading. Click to learn more at Amazon.com:
"How To Rent Your Vacation Home" by Marie Ferguson

August, 2007

"Surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and flanked by the Appalachian Mountains, Watauga Reservoir is arguably 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."
~ www.tva.com (see link below)

"Watauga Lake, nestled amongst the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest in northeastern Tennessee, enjoys the most stunningly beautiful lake and mountain views in the 'Volunteer State'. Started in 1942 and finally dammed on the last day of 1948, Watauga Lake is the TVA's highest-elevated reservoir in Tennessee. Surrounded by densely forested mountains in the "high country", Watauga Lake sits 1,959 feet above sea level at "full pool" (full summertime elevation)."
~ www.wataugalaketennessee.com (see link below)

Watauga Lake is 16 miles long and has nearly 105 miles of shoreline. The Lake is surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and only approximately 47 miles are privately owned. Of this, much is below the 1980 foot level, below which permanent structures cannot be constructed.

Much of the terrain at the shoreline is quite steep. If you are looking to make a first or second (or third) home at the lake, consideration should include:

* Do you want lake access or lake view?
* Do you want to be near a marina OR do you want to be in a development with shared lake access OR does your budget include the expense of a private dock?
* If you choose a location which requires a private dock, will the users of your dock be able to climb a steep staircase climb down to the dock or do you require a more gently sloped access?

If you choose to be near the lake there are several established marinas with docks for your boat or with boat rentals. These marinas are in the western end of the lake. See links below for more information:

* Lakeshore-Resort & Marina

* Fish Springs Marina

* Cove Ridge Marina

* Mallard Cove Marina

* Butler Marina

If you choose a property which requires its own dock, the Tennessee Valley Authority has established and enforces guidelines for dock location, size and construction. See the links below to their website.

There are dock building services available at Pioneer Landing on the eastern end of the lake (see photo below). Additional dock builders are described on the TennesseeLakeInfo website (link below).

Local marinas are good places to start when looking for used and new pontoon boats, sailboats, fishing boats and other water craft. Below are links to Mallard Cove Marina, Fish Springs Marina, Cove Ridge Marina and Lakeshore Resort and Marina. In addition, there is a new marina at Butler, Tennessee.

 

part 1: Overview    Go to part 2: Realtors

Links to references in this article and to sites related to the Watauga Lake Real Estate:

• TVA Dock Standards
• TVA Dock Permit Process
• www.TennesseeLakeInfo.com
• www.WataugaLakeTennesse.com
• www.CherokeeFloatingDocks.com
• Cove Ridge Marina
• Fish Springs Marina
• Mallard Cove Marina
• Lake Shore Marina
• Captain Wally's Real Estate Boat Tours
• Purchase Watauga Lake Map