Chatuge Lake, Reservoir in Towns County, Georgia, US.
Chatuge Lake is a large reservoir in the Appalachian Mountains on the Georgia-North Carolina border, created by building a dam across the Hiwassee River. The body of water spans a broad area with deep sections and a long, winding shoreline.
The dam was built in the 1940s by the Tennessee Valley Authority, a federal agency developing the region's resources. The project brought significant changes to the land and the communities that lived there.
The name comes from a Cherokee settlement near the dam and means the place where waters meet, referring to the joining of the Hiwassee River. Visitors today encounter this connection in local stories and place names that shape how people talk about the region.
Several parks around the lake offer boat ramps, swimming areas, and camping facilities for visitors. You can find fishing spots, picnic areas, and access points scattered throughout the shoreline.
The water level rises and falls between seasons in a controlled way to prevent flooding and produce electricity. Visitors can notice how the shoreline changes appearance throughout the year because of these regular shifts.
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