A Bridge over UN-troubled Water

With the Tennessee Valley Authority's 1944 completion of the 480 foot Fontana Dam a 10,230 acre reservoir began providing electricity and flood control from the waters of the Little Tennessee River. The reservoir, now known as Fontana Lake, is 29 miles long with 240 miles of shoreline 90% of which is owned by either the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the US Forest Service.

The lack of development has resulted in recreational opportunities for those who seek a natural splendor unencumbered by careless crowds and intrusive construction. Fontana provides great recreational water activities such as boating, knee-boarding, water-skiing and some of the best Pike and Bass Fishing anywhere.

The 2000 mile Appalachian Trail crosses the reservoir atop the dam as it winds  north to a Maine conclusion. The hot showers available at the trail shelter, maintained by TVA, have led grateful hikers to dub it the Fontana Hilton.

 The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad departs from Bryson City on its 44-mile Nantahala Gorge Excursion, crossing the reservoir via a 791-foot long bridge 100 feet above the sparkling waters.
Read more about Fontana here...

Photo provided by Jennifer Wilson and Postcards from the Smokies  - click to see more