2019 Map of Fontana Dam

About this map

Fontana Dam stands as the central engineering landmark of this mountain landscape, spanning the Little Tennessee River to form the expansive Fontana Lake. The map details the transition from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the north to the Nantahala National Forest in the south, separated by the river's path and the county line between Swain and Graham. The Fontana Village settlement serves as a hub for the area's extensive trail network, including a prominent section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Fontana Loop. Scattered throughout the high ridges and deep coves are several family-named burial sites such as Welch Cove Cem, Payne Cem, and Cable Cove Cem, offering valuable data for genealogists tracing the legacy of families whose lands were largely absorbed into the national park and forest systems.