Overview
Apalachia Lake is a small, deep, run-of-river reservoir of about 1,070 acres on the Hiwassee River in Cherokee County, in the far southwestern mountains of North Carolina west of Murphy. It was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority between 1941 and 1943, primarily to generate hydroelectric power during World War II, and it lies immediately downstream of Hiwassee Dam within the Nantahala National Forest.
With roughly 31 miles of largely undeveloped, forest-lined shoreline, Apalachia is a narrow, cool-water reservoir set in a steep mountain gorge. Because it is a run-of-river project, water passes through without long-term storage and the level typically fluctuates only about eight feet on a daily basis with generation, giving it a quiet, wild character well suited to paddling and primitive camping.
The lake offers fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, and catfish in a scenic backcountry setting, with fisheries managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Access is limited and largely primitive, through Forest Service roads and ramps, reflecting the reservoir's remote location.
Water levels on Apalachia Lake are managed by TVA as a run-of-river reservoir, with the pool held near 1,280 feet above mean sea level and fluctuating modestly with power generation and with releases from Hiwassee Lake upstream. Monitoring current lake levels is helpful for paddling, fishing, and shoreline access.
Current Conditions
Apalachia Lake is currently 1.82 feet below full pool and has risen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendRisingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.57 ft
- 30-day changeDown 0.03 ft
- Drought conditionsAbnormally Dry
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Apalachia Lake is a 1,070-acre reservoir on the Hiwassee River managed by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).