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Watauga Lake—located south of Mountain City, Tennessee, east of Elizabethton, Tennessee, southeast of Bristol, Tennessee, and northeast of Johnson City, Tennessee—is a relatively new body of water (at least as far as lakes go). The lake was created as a result of the construction of the Watauga Dam.
Butler, Tennessee
Part of the lake covers what was once known the town of Butler. Butler, Tennessee was originally located on Roan Creek where it and the Elk River combined to form the Watauga River. Settlement of the town began in 1768.
For many years, it was called Smith’s Mill after Ezekial Smith who, in 1820, built a gristmill on Roan Creek. However, after the Civil War, the town was renamed Butler in honor of Col. Roderick Random Butler, a commander in the Union Army’s 13th Tennessee Voluntary Cavalry, which was formed based on authority granted by Major General Ambrose E. Burnside.
Since its founding, residents of the original town of Butler had to endure repeated flooding. However, over time, recurrent flooding overrode the benefits of living on the Watauga River. In mid-August 1940, another flood severely impacted the area. Unfortunately, the effects were much more devastating. In its wake, the flood left six dead, and numerous others missing. Additionally, it was estimated that more than $1 million in crop and property damages were sustained. In a time when life was difficult, economic survival was oftentimes uncertain, and America was attempting to recover from the throes of the Great Depression, the 1940 flood seemed too much for the residents of the town of Butler and Johnson County, Tennessee to endure. In response, plans were drawn up to provide for better flood prevention and hydropower generation.
In December 1941, the Tennessee Valley Authority (or “TVA”) approved the Watauga Dam and Reservoir Project. Three months later, construction on the Watauga Dam—which dammed the Watauga and Elk Rivers—began on February 16, 1942. However, approximately ten months after construction began, work was halted on the project in order to divert funds for more essential WWII-related efforts. Construction resumed on July 22, 1946. Finally, on December 31, 1948, the gates to Watauga Dam were closed, creating Watauga Lake. While the project created a beautiful lake, it also took its toll on the residents of Johnson County, and especially those living in the town of Butler.
Before the gates to Watauga Dam were closed and reservoir was filled, the town of Butler was made up of over 100 homes and dozens of businesses had an estimated population of 600. However, before the town was submerged under the lake, the population was relocated to higher ground. Once the town was covered, it became the first and only incorporated town inundated by a TVA reservoir. The original town is now known as "Old Butler,” and is often referred to as “the town that wouldn’t drown.” The town's new site is located on Tennessee State Rt. 67.
Watauga Lake
Watauga Lake (Coordinate: 36º 19’ 58.08” N, 82º 0’ 8.53 W), situated in the Cherokee National Forest and the Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Tennessee, is 16.3 miles (26 km) long, with a surface area of 34,200 acres (138.4 km2). The lake reportedly has a maximum depth of 265 feet (81 m) at the dam, and an estimated 305 feet (92.9 m) at full pool. According to the TVA, Watauga Lake has 104.9 miles (168.8 km) of shoreline, only 47 miles (75.6 km) of which are privately owned. The other 57+ miles (91.7+ km) of shoreline are public land. Because most of the public land is part of Cherokee National Forest, it cannot be developed.
With a surface area of 6,430 acres, Watauga Lake has plenty of room for great fishing. Anglers searching for the following species will find Watauga Lake to be the place to go: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Walleye, and White Crappie.
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