Lake Santeetlah, N.C.

[cobalt]

Has anyone ever dove in the western mountains of N.C. in Lake Santeetlah? It is located about 2.5 hours north of Atlanta , about 1.5 hours south of Knoxville , and about the same distance to the east from Asheville, NC.

I know it's not on the dive list of everyone but I was just curious. The depths go down to about 200ft.

 

[suthnbelle]

I've never even heard of this one. Maybe some others know about it.

Cobalt, do you live in NC?

Edit: I goggled this lake and it is a beautiful place. Interesting to hear if anyone dives there.

 

[JKSteger]

Looks like a beautiful lake. I couldn't find anything on diving it. While searching I found Lake Fontana and some place called Dale Hollow (?).

I read that there are several lakes around NC that were dammed as part of the TVA in the 40's and that there are complete towns down there. Now I don't know if there are any surviving sturcture or not. I would imagine if there were some building still standing that they would be very dangerous to enter and are probably not structurally sound at all.

If you find out any info on diving the lake, let us all know.

Jeremy

 

[Bob_B]

Please lets us know any details. I like to dive lake with old structure.

 

[Allison Finch]

I will only say........BRRRRRRR!!!!

Give me salt, clear and warm, please.

 

[Reef]

I have not done any dives there, but I know the area well.

Just a few weeks I spent 5 days camping there.

The lake is beautiful and very clear. Lots of fish, and tons of scenery.

It is also VERY cold.

There are a lot of boats on this lake to beware.

 

[NCMtnDiver]

I have dove Lake Santeetlah. I dove there a couple of times this past summer. There's a pretty nice beach/swimming area called Cheeoah(sp?) Point. The entire cove is blocked off from boats. I've dove this area both times, but nowhere else on the lake. The vis is usually pretty good (around 20ft I'd say, give or take). In the cove area though, the deepest spot I found was about 20-25ft. This could be good or bad. There's not much to see, but at the shallow depth you can stay down forever just exploring the cove. The last dive I did was in Oct, and the water was beginning to cool down (I have a 5mm wetsuit). I plan on going back around the end of May to see how much the water has warmed up. In the summer you can plan on temps around 80 at the surface and and low to mid 70s at the bottom (20/25 ft). If you go here on a hot summer day, beware the kids. They'll flock you like a rock star wanting to check out all your gear.

 

[Reef]

I'm going to guess Maryville, or Asheville would be the nearest place for fills.

This summer I will be doing this dive.

 

[NCMtnDiver]

Yes, that's correct. I'm not sure exactly how far away Maryville is, but I fill up @ Asheville. It's about 2/2.5 hrs from Asheville. Let me know if you want to hook up for this dive this summer if you don't have a buddy. I usually dive with my wife, but she's a big wimp and usually doesn't enjoy the lakes like I do. She's from FL, so I guess I can't blame her.

 

[Reef]

Sounds like a plan to me.

I used to head that way alot to ride the Dragon.

May would be a good time for me, and before the usual afternoon thunderstorms start to hit that area. What do you think?

It will give me another excuse to camp below the Dam.