Boat Clear Blue Water with Family Near Hiawassee Together
Why Rent On Lake Chatuge
Chatuge Lake is a 7,000 acre reservoir impounded by the Chatuge Dam, located 121 miles above the mouth of the Hiwassee River, just north of the North Carolina-Georgia state line. The lake extends southward for 13 miles along the Hiwassee and eastward for roughly 6 miles along Shooting Creek, which once emptied into the Hiwassee immediately upstream from the dam site. The dam and the North Carolina section of the reservoir are surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and the Georgia section of the reservoir is surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest. Hayesville, North Carolina (north of the dam) and Hiawassee, Georgia (to the south) are the nearest communities of note. Chatuge Dam is a flood control and hydroelectric dam on the Hiwassee River in Clay County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The dam is the uppermost of three dams on the river owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, which built the dam in the early 1940’s for flood storage and to provide flow regulation at Hiwassee Dam further downstream. While originally built solely for flood storage, a generator installed at Chatuge in the 1950’s gives the dam a small hydroelectric output.
- Surface area (mi)
- 17.98
- Max depth (ft)
- 144.36
- Elevation (ft)
- 1919.29
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 132
Popular activities
- Boating
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Hiking
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Lake Chatuge has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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Yes, swimming is allowed in Lake Chatuge. There is a designated swimming beach with amenities like picnic tables, playgrounds, and bathrooms. The lake is identified as a designated swimming area by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
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Lake Chatuge is a popular destination because of its 132 miles of shoreline, ideal for boating, fishing, skiing, and swimming. The lake offers several public boat ramps, a swimming beach, playgrounds, and numerous picnic tables, making it perfect for various water sports and family activities. It also has campgrounds with scenic lake shore and private settings.
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To fish in Lake Chatuge, you need a fishing license from the state where you are fishing. Since Lake Chatuge is in both Georgia and North Carolina, you must have a license from the respective state where you are fishing. For example, if you are fishing on the Georgia side, you need a Georgia fishing license.
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The Towns County Recreational Beach at Lake Chatuge is best for families. It has a white sand beach with a roped-off swimming area, a large playground, a covered pavilion, and picnic tables. This beach is easily accessible from Hiawassee and offers free parking.
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The town near Lake Chatuge with the best amenities for visitors is Hiawassee. Hiawassee offers a recreational beach with a playground, white sand beach, covered pavilion, and picnic tables. It is also close to the town square and provides access to various outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and hiking.
