Nantahala Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nantahala Lake |
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View of Nantahala Lake, NC
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 Nantahala Lake
Location in North Carolina
Nantahala Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Macon County, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°11′58″N 83°39′08″W / 35.19944°N 83.65222°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Built | 1942 |
| Shore length1 | 42 mi (68 km) |
| Surface elevation | 3,035 ft (925 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Nantahala Lake is a beautiful lake located in Macon County, North Carolina. You can find it in the western part of the state. This lake is very important because it helps create electricity for the area.
The lake was made in 1942. It was built to help provide power during World War II. Nantahala Lake is high up in the Nantahala National Forest, about 3,000 feet above sea level.
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Fun Activities at Nantahala Lake
Nantahala Lake has a long shoreline, stretching about 42 miles (68 km). This makes it a great place for many outdoor activities. You can enjoy swimming, boating, and water skiing here.
Fishing in the Lake
If you love fishing, Nantahala Lake is a fantastic spot. The lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You might catch:
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Trout
- Salmon
- Catfish
- Many types of panfish
The water in the lake is usually very clear. This means you can often see deep into the water. Sometimes, near the shore, the water might get a little cloudy. This happens when waves stir up the lake bed. However, most of the shoreline drops steeply, so this cloudy effect is usually small.
How Nantahala Lake Helps the River
Nantahala Lake plays a big role in the Nantahala River. Water from the lake is released into the river. This release creates exciting whitewater rapids in the river below.
Whitewater Adventures
When water is not being released, the Nantahala River is very calm. But when the lake releases water, the river is considered "on." This is when people go kayaking and rafting. The rushing water makes for a thrilling adventure!
