Summersville (Nicholas)
Summersville (Nicholas)
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Summersville Lake in Nicholas County, West Virginia
This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version
Summersville Lake is West Virginia's largest lake, a stunning 2,790-acre reservoir on the Gauley River in Nicholas County featuring 60 miles of shoreline and a remarkable maximum depth of 327 feet near the dam. Created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1960 and 1966 through the construction of the second-largest rock-fill dam in the eastern United States, the lake is celebrated for its extraordinary water clarity — earning the nickname "The Little Bahamas of the East" from Skin Diver magazine — with summer visibility reaching 45 feet below the surface. Anglers pursue Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Panfish, and Trout in its clear, cold depths, while scuba divers explore submerged cliffs, boulders, and even an intentionally sunken boat on the lake bottom.
Summersville Lake's dramatic landscape of towering sandstone and shale cliffs has made it one of the premier rock climbing destinations on the entire East Coast, with over 50 established routes in the famous Hughes Bridge area alone. The lake serves as the eastern gateway to the Gauley River National Recreation Area and sits just 22 miles from New River Gorge National Park — West Virginia's crown jewel of outdoor adventure. Visitors also enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and touring the only working lighthouse in West Virginia along the lake's northern shore. In 2023, 177 acres of the northern shoreline were designated as Summersville Lake State Park, the state's first new state park in over three decades.
A laser-cut wooden map of Summersville Lake makes a breathtaking and truly one-of-a-kind piece of wall art for any Appalachian cabin, mountain home, or outdoor enthusiast's space. The natural wood top layer traces every dramatic cove and cliff-lined mile of this iconic West Virginia lake's 60-mile shoreline with remarkable precision, while the light-to-dark blue gradient water layers beautifully convey the lake's extraordinary depth and crystal-clear character. Whether displayed above a fireplace or in a great room, this handcrafted map is a lasting tribute to the wild beauty of Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
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.