The Mountain Lake In Tennessee That's One Of The World's Last Great Places
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Meghan Kraft
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Watauga Lake is located in the heart of east Tennessee, so far out that we almost lost it to North Carolina, Thankfully, we didn’t, and we have one of the prettiest mountain lakes to show for it. Though it may be man-made, this natural dreamland is the kind of place where you vacation for weeks and don’t think a bit about the world you left behind. Have you been?
Watauga Lake is tucked up high on the east side of the state, close to the Tennessee and North Carolina border. It is a man-made reservoir that was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority and completed on New Year's Eve in 1948.
It's fairly hard to reach the lake, making for a close-knit community of locals and seasonal tourists. There's only one motel in the area, despite the approximately 105 miles of shoreline.
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Did you know that there's a town underneath the lake? It's true! The original town of Butler was flooded out upon the lake's inception, and "new" Butler was built higher on the hill. The once-bustling city, one where pioneer families made their start and Daniel Boone laid his head, now lies under the Watauga Lake Reservoir.
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The lake is considered one of the most "ecologically healthy" in the nation, making for clean afternoons down by the waterfront.
There are scads of vacation homes available, tucked back between the hills and down windy roads. Rent a pontoon boat and maybe go for a walk down by the pristine lakefront.
The lake's water level will drop depending upon the time of year, and the level is controlled by the TVA. Summertime is the peak of Watauga Lake's tourist season, so you should anticipate full waterways and ample room for boating and swimming.
Have you been to Watauga Lake? If you've ever been to Nashville, you may have met its tiny counterpart - the pond in the center of Centennial Park is a mini version, and is even called Watauga Lake.
Have you heard of a kolache? This Nashville pastry shop makes some of the best in the state!
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