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2016 Map of Unaka

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Unaka
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Hiwassee Lake and Apalachia Lake dominate the southern reaches of this landscape, where the waters of the Hiwassee River are impounded within the Nantahala National Forest. Small settlements like Hiwassee Village, Ogreeta, and Violet sit among the finger-like coves of the reservoir system, reflecting a geography shaped by mid-century hydroelectric and flood control projects. The map reveals the intricate ridge-and-hollow topography of the Unicoi Mountains, which define the state boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina.

Family history is preserved in numerous upland burial sites, including Lenderman Cem, Garrett Cem, and Unaka Cem near the community of Unaka. Transportation is limited to narrow forest roads such as Buckberry and Long Ridge, which navigate the steep elevations between Bird Knob and Swansee Knob. This survey captures the region as it transitioned into a primarily recreational and protected forest area, while still marking the locations of ancestral homesteads and mountain gaps.