Fontana Lake NC (Bryson City area)

[Orlando76]

Planning a first ever ski-family boating vacation in June and a possible stop I'm considering is Almond Boat Park and campground on Fontana Lake. Is anybody familiar with this lake? Looks awfully low in Google aerials but who knows how old those pics are, ramps look to be out of water. Being a dammed reservoir powering a power plant could the water level possibly fluctuate that much? FWIW will be launching our Ski Nautique with a 22' Class C motor home. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

[Bill22]

I have never been to Fontana Lake but we camp each summer at a big lake in NC that is also a reservoir for a power station. The lake level does have huge swings through the year. Every winter the Army Corps of Engineers lowers the level for home owners to make dock repairs. Lowering the level by 5'-7' will make a HUGE change in how far the shoreline recedes.

 

You should be able to find the daily lake level somewhere on line.

[Bill22]

The chart I just looked at shows a 51 feet increase in level from March to May for 2014 & 2015!! That answers your question, the Google pics could be from winter.

 

I would post a link but I can't do the short link thing on this PC.

 

copy this:

Fontana.uslakes.info/Level.asp

[TNh2oskier]

Our water ski club hosts an adaptive water ski day on Fontana every year with the Patricia Neal foundation. Its a beautiful lake, very clean, and very deep. Its not uncommon to see lake levels of 500' in places.