Apalachia Lake
Cherokee County, North Carolina1,100 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from A at the last regrade
- Mesotrophic
- #2 of 2 in the county
- Limited data
Apalachia Lake in Cherokee County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 13.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.4 µg/L. Surface area: 1100 acres.
- Clarity
- 13.1 ft
- Area
- 1,100 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Apalachia Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Apalachia Lake in Cherokee County, North Carolina — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Apalachia Lake
Prices for Sep 4–6, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at North Carolina’s top lakes →
Watch Apalachia Lake’s letter
Email me if this lake’s grade moves. Grades stay free.
Or email
Apalachia Lake is a 1,100-acre mesotrophic lake in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Cherokee County, Apalachia Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2024-11-05. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Apalachia Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water13.1 ft of visibility
- Big water1,100 acres
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Good clarity, visible to about 13.1 ft. Phosphorus 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3.4 µg/L. TSI 45. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.1 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.4 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 1,100 acres |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Apalachia Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Apalachia Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Apalachia Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Apalachia Dam (completed 1943), built primarily for hydroelectric on the Hiwassee River; concrete-type dam, 150 ft tall and 1,308 ft long.
- Surface area
- 1,100 ac
- Normal storage
- 55,524 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 63,456 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1,018 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- TVA
All listed purposes: Hydroelectric;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NC00181 · Operator website
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Cherokee County
Nearby Lakes in Cherokee County
Frequently asked questions about Apalachia Lake
Where is Apalachia Lake?
- Apalachia Lake is a lake in Cherokee County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Apalachia Lake?
- Apalachia Lake in Cherokee County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 13.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.4 µg/L. Surface area: 1100 acres.
Is Apalachia Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Apalachia Lake across LakeQuality
2 documented falls within 11.8 mi, nearest Conasauga Falls
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Carolina's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Carolina's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Ranked by overall water quality grade
Top 25 by Secchi water clarity
Grade A/B + low algae filter
Panfish-rich, public access
Full state directory
Other Grade C Lakes in North Carolina
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Carolina
Where this data comes from
57 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ57 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- WSSSOP
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.