Watauga River, Watauga Lake & Watauga Gorge
Watauga Lake boat rentals are one of the best ways to enjoy the water in Eastern Tennessee. On a boat you can go fishing, waterskiing, tubing or just cruising around the water. Boating is the easiest way to enjoy the nooks and crannies of Watauga Lake, all 6,430 acres and 105 miles of shoreline.
The Watauga River Bluffs State Natural Area is a 50-acre, rugged reserve open to the public in Carter County, Tennessee. With a few thousand feet of river frontage, the Watauga River Bluffs offers fishing within the “trophy section” of the river, a hiking trail along the river’s edge and general splashing in the water.
At one time, the Watauga River Gorge used to be among the “hairiest whitewater” to kayak in the Southeast. Today, it’s an East Coast classic – challenging, technical and scenic. The Watauga Gorge has it all.
The construction of the Lower Gorge River Access at Guy Ford Bridge near Bethel is now complete, according to Watauga County Planning Director Joe Furman.…
One of the best ways to explore the Watauga Lake is waking up at your campsite, walking to the water and floating away in your kayak or boat. Camping at Watauga Lake is a great adventure in the High Country and greater Appalachian Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround the lake, making for quite the scenic escape.
Wildlife officers are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred on Watauga Lake in the area of Big Island and Watauga Point on Friday evening.
The U.S. Geological Survey gauge in Sugar Grove is located immediately downstream of the Cove Creek confluence with the Watauga River.
Quickly check what the Watauga River is running with the real-time gauges embedded below. The gauge sites are located in Foscoe and Sugar Grove, N.C., and Elizabethton, Tenn.
Did you know one of the three giant salamanders in the world lives in the Watauga River. The Eastern hellbender can grow 2-feet long or more during its 30-year lifespan. They look prehistoric. Coming from an ancient lineage of salamanders, its body form has changed little over millions of years.
The N.C. Emergency Management operates a gauge upstream of the expert-only Red Roof kayaking run and old Hound Ears Dam on the Watauga River near Foscoe.