Nantahala Lake

The Nantahala Power Company built Nantahala Lake in 1942 to supply electricity for the war effort. The electricity produced was sent to Tennessee smelters to produce the aluminum needed to make airplanes. The lake is the second-highest lake east of the Mississippi and is situated in the Nantahala National Forest at an elevation of 3,012 feet. The settlement of Aquone, which served as a stagecoach station between Asheville and Murphy, North Carolina, is now covered by the lake.

With 29 miles of shoreline, the lake provides chances for skiing, boating, and swimming. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, salmon, catfish, and numerous other species of pan fish may all be found here. Fishing is also very popular.

Nantahala Lake provides water to the Nantahala River. Whitewater rapids are created in the river by releasing water from the Nantahala Dam. The river is quite peaceful while it is not being supplied, but when the water is released from the lake, it is regarded to be "on," and this is when kayaking and rafting take place.

Location: Macon County