1983 Map of Fontana Lake

About this map

Fontana Lake and the surrounding high country of the Great Smoky Mountains dominate this 1983 topographic survey, illustrating a landscape defined by significant hydroelectric projects and large-scale public land management. The winding reservoir of Fontana Lake sits at the heart of the terrain, while other major impoundments like Nantahala Lake, Thorpe Reservoir, and Santeetlah Lake highlight the mid-century transformation of the region's river systems. Significant settlements such as Waynesville, Franklin, and Bryson City serve as regional hubs, while the Cherokee Indian Reservation and Western Carolina University at Cullowhee mark important cultural and educational anchors. The complex network of ridges, including the Nantahala Mountains and Cowee Mountains, is traversed by the Southern railroad line and major routes like U.S. 19 and U.S. 64, connecting these mountain communities.