Fontana Lake

NORTH CAROLINA


Lake Level 1,652.58 FEET 1/2/2026 Full Pool: 1,710.0 History, Alerts, More... click here	Advertise with us

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November 2025 Water Resources Outlook

NWS Southeast River Forecast Center

Date: 11/20/2025

November 2025 review of Southeast Rivers for the past month and an outlook on factors that will impact future streamflows…

October 2025 Water Resources Outlook

NWS Southeast River Forecast Center

Date: 10/20/2025

The Southeast River Forecast Center October 2025 Water Resources Outlook. This outlook reviews recent influences on Southeast US streamflow's and provides an outlook of the coming months streamflow influences…

September 2025 Water Resources Outlook

NWS Southeast River Forecast Center

Date: 9/22/2025

The Southeast River Forecast Center September 2025 Water Resources Outlook. This outlook reviews recent influences on southeast US streamflow's and provides an outlook of the coming months streamflow influences…

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…

9:11:29 AM

UPCOMING EVENTS

3/15/2026 - Daylight Saving Time Begins

11/1/2026 - Daylight Saving Time Ends

3/14/2027 - Daylight Saving Time Begins

11/7/2027 - Daylight Saving Time Ends

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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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