Lake Santeetlah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Santeetlah |
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May 2008
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 Lake Santeetlah
Location in North Carolina
Lake Santeetlah
Location in the United States
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| Location | Graham County, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°21′15″N 83°51′39″W / 35.3542397°N 83.8608141°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Cheoah River |
| Primary outflows | Cheoah River |
| Basin countries | United States |
Lake Santeetlah is a beautiful lake located in Graham County, North Carolina. It's not a natural lake, but a reservoir, which means it's a large, artificial lake created by building a dam. This lake was made in 1928 to help generate electricity for people. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun and is surrounded by a huge national forest.
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Discover Lake Santeetlah
Lake Santeetlah is part of the Tennessee River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point, like a river or a lake.
How Lake Santeetlah Was Made
The lake was created in 1928 when a company called Alcoa built a dam across the Cheoah River. The main reason for building this dam was to create hydroelectric power. This is a way of making electricity using the force of moving water. The lake is mostly surrounded by the Cheoah District of the Nantahala National Forest. Over the last few decades, some areas around the lake have been developed with scenic homes and vacation houses. These homes are part of the town of Lake Santeetlah.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Santeetlah
Even though Alcoa manages the area right below the high-water mark, most of the land around the lake is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. They make sure that people can enjoy the lake and its surroundings. The U.S. Forest Service provides many facilities for visitors. You can go swimming, camping, or have a picnic by the lake. It's also a great place for fishing and boating. Lake Santeetlah has a long shoreline, stretching for 76 miles.
Nature Around the Lake
Lake Santeetlah is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find various types of trout, muskie, crappie, and bass swimming in its waters.
Right next to Lake Santeetlah is a very special place called the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. This forest was set aside in 1936 to honor a poet and soldier named Joyce Kilmer. It's known as one of the most impressive examples of old-growth forest in the eastern United States. An old-growth forest is a natural forest that has grown for a very long time without being disturbed by humans. It's a wonderful place to see ancient trees and experience nature as it was centuries ago.
