Cherokee (Grainger, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson)

Cherokee Lake in Grainger, Hamblen, Hawkins, and Jefferson Counties, Tennessee

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Cherokee Lake is a magnificent 30,300-acre reservoir created in 1941 when the Tennessee Valley Authority completed Cherokee Dam on the Holston River during World War II on a crash construction schedule to generate hydroelectric power for wartime aluminum production and provide critical flood control for East Tennessee communities. Spanning 59 miles along the historic Holston River with approximately 400 miles of winding shoreline nestled in the foothills of the Clinch Mountains, the reservoir extends across four counties in the heart of East Tennessee just 20 miles northeast of Knoxville. The massive dam stands 175 feet high and stretches an impressive 6,760 feet—well over a mile—from end to end, housing four hydroelectric generating units with a net capacity of 148 megawatts while maintaining a flood-storage capacity of 749,400 acre-feet with water levels fluctuating approximately 27 to 30 feet seasonally from summer high pool to winter drawdown. Named for the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans who once inhabited the region and traversed the Great Indian Warpath followed by legendary pioneer Daniel Boone through the basin now filled by the reservoir, Cherokee Lake has evolved into one of East Tennessee's premier fishing destinations ranked #20 by Bassmaster among the top 25 bass fishing lakes in the Southeastern United States in 2019. The lake's exceptional fertility creates fish densities greater than most TVA reservoirs, supporting abundant populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass (rockfish), Cherokee bass (a striped bass-white bass hybrid), walleye, sauger, saugeye, black crappie, white crappie, white bass, bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, and paddlefish, with special fishing regulations including a unique closed zone near the dam from July through mid-September to protect congregating striped bass during low oxygen summer conditions. The reservoir features 15 public boat ramps providing convenient access for anglers and recreational boaters, while commercial marinas scattered around the shoreline offer boat rentals, wet slips, fuel, bait shops, restaurants, and supplies for visitors exploring the lake's numerous secluded coves surrounded by gentle rolling farmland and dramatic views of the towering Clinch Mountain Range.

Cherokee Lake serves as the centerpiece for outstanding outdoor recreation and cultural experiences in the historic Holston River Valley, anchored by the spectacular 1,444-acre Panther Creek State Park located six miles west of Morristown on the reservoir's southern shore. The state park offers 17 hiking trails covering more than 30 miles of terrain at all difficulty levels, including the Point Lookout Trail climbing to 1,460 feet above sea level providing breathtaking panoramic views of Cherokee Lake and the Cumberland Mountains, along with 15 miles of mountain biking trails ranging from easy to difficult, 7 miles of scenic horseback riding trails hugging the shoreline, a challenging championship 18-hole disc golf course with wooded and open fairways, 50 campsites with water and electrical hookups, two large reservable picnic pavilions accommodating groups up to 140 people, a seasonal fan-shaped swimming pool with high dive and wading area, basketball courts, playground, tennis courts, boat ramp, and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, birding, and wildflower observation throughout the pristine preserve. The nearby town of Morristown offers the historic Crockett Tavern Museum built on the site of Davy Crockett's boyhood home as a reconstruction of the 1790s John Crockett Tavern with living history reenactment events celebrating Appalachian pioneer heritage, while Jefferson City and Bean Station provide small-town hospitality and lake access for visitors exploring the region's rich history dating back to the 1785 arrival of pioneers from North Carolina and the older Watauga Settlement. Cherokee Lake hosts exciting annual events throughout the year including Morristown's Freedom Fest on July 3rd featuring a spectacular fireworks display over the water where boats raft up near Cherokee Dam for the finale, the Grainger County Tomato Festival in Rutledge two weeks later drawing tens of thousands for heirloom tastings and free concerts, the "Fur-Eedom Floats" boat parade every first Saturday in July showcasing over-the-top deck decorations to benefit local pet rescues, and the Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Fest the last weekend of October with evening "balloon glows" lighting up the shoreline like giant jack-o-lanterns while the Nine Lakes wine garden keeps spectators warm. Water sports enthusiasts enjoy year-round boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and swimming in the lake's clear waters, while sailing regattas hosted by the local sailing club add classic maritime elegance to this scenic reservoir surrounded by pictorial farmlands that enhance the peaceful Appalachian landscape. The reservoir's proximity to Knoxville provides easy access to University of Tennessee attractions, downtown dining and entertainment, shopping districts, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located approximately 45 miles south, making Cherokee Lake an ideal base for exploring the best of East Tennessee's natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and mountain heritage.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."