Fontana Lake

NORTH CAROLINA


Lake Level 1,672.54 FEET 10/17/2025 Full Pool: 1,710.0 History, Alerts, More... click here	Advertise with us

Fontana Lake News

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What Will the Long July 4 Holiday Weekend Be Like on the Water for Boaters?

BoatUS News

Date: 6/30/2025

TowBoatUS predicts more than 2,500 requests for on-water assistance SPRINGFIELD, Va., June 30, 2025 – When NOAA, The Weather Channel and even the Farmer’s Almanac all agree this summer will be hotter than average, boaters know they will need to prepare for the heat. However, on America’s July 4…

Water Resources Outlook for September 2023

National Weather Service

Date: 9/21/2023

Southeast River Forecast Center Water Resources Outlook for September 2023 addressing flooding and drought issues across the southeast U.S…

Water Resources Outlook (March 2023)

Todd Hamill

Date: 3/20/2023

Water Resources Outlook for March…

Is Your Boat’s Long Winter Nap Going Well?

BoatUS News

Date: 1/1/2023

SPRINGFIELD, VA., Jan. 24, 2022 – Storms have hammered the U.S., and many recreational boats are sleeping away the winter under a layer of ice and snow. If you store your boat outside and haven’t checked up on her lately, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has five tips for a midwinter…

What Every Boater Wants for the Holidays: 24/7 On-Water Assistance from TowBoatUS

BoatUS News

Date: 11/14/2022

Gadgets may make good holiday gifts. However, for a boater, having 24/7 on-the-water help just a call away is much better. Like belonging to an auto club for recreational boat owners, a BoatUS Unlimited Towing Membership provides professional on-water towing services by the TowBoatUS fleet - the nation’s largest…

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UPCOMING EVENTS

11/2/2025 - Daylight Saving Time Ends

11/27/2025 - Thanksgiving

12/21/2025 - The First Day of Winter (Winter Solstice)

12/25/2025 - Christmas

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• River: Little Tennessee River
• Length: 238 Miles
• Surface Area: 4,480 Acres
• Volume: 513,965 Acre Feet
• Average Depth: 135 Feet

Fontana Lake is a reservoir impounded by Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River located in Graham and Swain counties in North Carolina. The lake forms part of the southern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the northern border of part of the Nantahala National Forest. Depending on water levels, the lake is about 17 miles long. The eastern end is the Tuckasegee River near Bryson City. The lake has many inlets into coves and many islands formed from former mountain peaks, especially near the eastern end. As with most dam-impounded lakes, the steep banks are exposed when water levels are low. Many towns were submerged shortly after the creation of Fontana Lake, such as Proctor and Judson.
Short of a multi-day hike, Fontana Lake provides the only access into the most remote areas of the National Park. When the lake is at the normal summer level, a boat may be used to access remote trailheads such as Hazel Creek. From the observation tower on Clingmans Dome, on a clear day the lake can be seen nearly a mile below. While the maximum controlled elevation of the lake (top of dam gates) is 1,710, the normal Summer surface elevation is 1,703 ft. NC 28 roughly parallels the southern shore of the lake and US 19 between Bryson City and Wesser/Lauada briefly skims an inlet at the extreme southeastern edge.

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