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

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

Regular price $175.00
Regular price Sale price $175.00
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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."

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About our Maps

Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.

  • Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
  • True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
  • More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
  • Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
  • Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames

These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.

Horn Dog Maps vs Others

True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes

Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No

Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7

Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No

Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these actually 3D or just engraved?

These are true 3D layered maps.

  • Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
  • Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
  • HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers

Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.

Where are these made?

Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.

  • Design
  • Cutting
  • Painting
  • Assembly
  • Frame building

The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.

Do you use real depth data?

Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.

I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.

Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?

Most marketplace sellers:

  • Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
  • Have no connection to the lakes
  • Cannot verify accuracy
  • Have long delays if a file is not available

This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.

Because I design everything myself:

  • I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
  • You get a more accurate map, faster

What is your lead time?

Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.

Tell me about the Cribbage Boards

These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.

  • Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
  • The lake is engraved as if drained
  • Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent

You can see:

  • Channels
  • Humps
  • Points
  • Structure

Additional features:

  • 2 or 3 track options
  • Choice of peg colors
  • Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
  • Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table

It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.