Located in the heart of the North Carolina Smokies, Lake Santeetlah is often referred to as the “Gem of the Smokies”.  Santeetlah covers over 2800 acres, and has about 80 miles of shoreline.  The waters of our lake come from mountain streams, several of which have reputations as being wonderful trout streams.  Being a high mountain lake, the air and water is clean.  As most of the shoreline, about 80%, is a part of the Nantahala National Forest , Santeetlah will never be over-developed.  Another 10%, more or less, is owned by A.P.G.I., the power generating company that owns Lake Santeetlah and is in a Conservation Easement.  This leaves about 7 miles of shoreline privately developed.  When Santeetlah is completely developed, there will only be around 3 hundred lakefront homes on the entire lake.  Today, Georgia ’s Lake Burton has a much shorter shoreline with approximately 1200 lake front home sites. 

Lake Santeetlah became operational in the spring of 1929.  The first major real estate development did not occur until 1960 when a 100 plus acre peninsula was purchased, and development commenced.  The name was Thunderbird Mountain Resort.  Today this resort community is the Town of Lake Santeetlah , North Carolina , and is the largest community on Santeetlah.  Since 1960, several more areas have been developed on private property including Cross Creek, Santeetlah Shores , Forest Lake , and The Landings.  All of these communities have public water systems, paved roads, (roads at The Landings have not yet been paved), telephone and electrical service.  Cable TV is also available to most sites.

Lake Santeetlah is licensed to operate by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (FERC).  Unlike the Corp of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority reservoirs, FERC is mandated by the Congress of the United States to enhance the environment of the communities in which each reservoir is located through a licensing process.  Being in the heart of one of the fastest growing resort areas of the United States , our community is dependant upon tourism.  Therefore, the License that APGI operates under has specific requirements regarding the maintenance of water levels for recreation.  According to this license, The water level of Santeetlah will be at recreation levels by April 1 each year and will remain at this level through October 31 each year.  During the winter months the lake is only drawn down 5 feet below the summer recreation level. 

Generally speaking, Lake Santeetlah is too far removed from major population centers for “day boaters”.  It is primarily used for the enjoyment of our local population and guests.  Graham County has approximately 8000 full-time citizens plus those who resort here during the summer months. Santeetlah’s population is diverse coming from all walks of life.  About 40 percent of the “lakes population” are retirees who spends the warmer months on the lake and the winter months in Florida .  Another 40 percent are working families, primarily from the Atlanta area.  Because of our mild four season climate, about 20% of the lake’s population live here year-around.

Graham County, with Robbinsville being the County Seat, features some of the most spectacular scenery one can find in the eastern United States .  About 60% of our county is a part of the Nantahala National Forest including 3800 acres in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest .  Kilmer is the largest original growth forest in the eastern United States. It features hemlock and popular trees that it takes five adults hand in hand to reach around their girth.  Joyce Kilmer is located on the western side of Santeetlah.  Several ridges extent above 5000 feet with breath-taking vistas.  The northern boundary of Graham County is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park .  To the west lies the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and to the east is the Nantahala River with a national reputation for “white water sports”.

Graham County abounds with the natural beauty that man has always appreciated.  Hiking and horseback trails are found through out the National Forest.  The Appalachian Trail bisects our county.  Botanists say that this National Forest contains one of the greatest varieties of flora found anywhere in the world.  The air is clean and the water is pure.  Looking to the heavens on a cool, crystal clear summer night one can see more stars than you could ever imagine.  When you cast your eyes across Lake Santeetlah , you see nature, not more homes.  And when you steer your boat into one of the 100 unpopulated coves, you hear the sounds of nature, not the rush of our modern society.  One day soon, Lake Santeetlah will be completely developed, and we will still have about 90% of the shoreline remaining as a part of nature with all of its pristine beauty.  

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 , Lake Santeetlah is not far away, yet it is in another world.  What we have is not for everyone, but a home on Lake Santeetlah may be exactly the spot you have been in search of.

The pictures on this web page were all taken on and around Lake Santeetlah, s ome from nearby mountain tops, and others from boats, and sundecks of private homes.  From every vantage point, Lake Santeetlah is spectacular.

Robert H. Moseley, Broker/Owner
CherokeeRealty.com

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