Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in US South Region by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 343 articles we have published for US South Region lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US South Region > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in US South Region, only the 343 US South Region lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Cliff Lake (Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, US South Region, USA) |
2,330 ft | Nestled within the dramatic Blue Ridge Mountains, Cedar Cliff Lake is one of North Carolina’s most picturesque bodies of water. It is thin and elongat… |
| Watauga Lake, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
1,975 ft | Also known as Lake Watauga Watauga Lake exudes independence, solitude, and nature’s bounty. If these traditional American values appeal to you, then you need to visit pristine W… |
| Lake Chatuge, GA/NC (Georgia, Mountains Region, NC, North Carolina, Northeast Georgia Mountains Region, US South Region, USA) |
1,928 ft | Also known as Chatuge Lake, Chatuge Reservoir Beautiful Lake Chatuge (pronounced “sha-toog”) spans 7200 acres and two states, stretching 13 miles from Hayesville, North Carolina, to Hiawassee, Geo… |
| Lake Burton, GA (Georgia, Northeast Georgia Mountains Region, US South Region, USA) |
1,867 ft | Lake Burton is the first and largest reservoir in a series of lakes managed by Georgia Power Company, called the North Georgia Hydro Group. Its 2,775… |
| Lake Seed, GA (Georgia, Northeast Georgia Mountains Region, US South Region, USA) |
1,765 ft | Also known as Seed Lake, Lake Nacoochee If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a getaway vacation in the Northeast Georgia Mountain region, you need look no farther than Lake Seed. It’s… |
| South Holston Lake, VA (Blue Ridge Highlands, VA, East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
1,742 ft | Also known as South Holston Reservoir An impoundment of the South Fork Holston River, South Holston Lake is an exceptional place to fish and boat. Straddling the Virginia and Tennessee sta… |
| Blue Ridge Lake, GA (Georgia, Historic High Country Region, GA, US South Region, USA) |
1,691 ft | Also known as Lake Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge Reservoir Located some 90 miles north of Atlanta and near Blue Ridge, Georgia, Blue Ridge Lake has all the desirable qualities for lovers of outdoor excitement… |
| Lake Moomaw, VA (Shenandoah Valley Region, VA, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
1,610 ft | Lake Moomaw is located in western Virginia, just north of Covington in the Shenandoah Valley region. It is nearly surrounded by George Washington Nati… |
| Bluestone Lake, WV (New River-Greenbrier Valley Region, WV, US South Region, USA, West Virginia) |
1,520 ft | Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long, narrow Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third largest lake in West Virginia,… |
| John W. Flannagan Reservoir, VA (Heart of Appalachia Region, VA, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
1,396 ft | Also known as Flannagan Reservoir The John W. Flannagan Reservoir is a 1,145-acre lake located in Dickenson County in the southwest Heart of Appalachia region of Virginia. Named in hon… |
| Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
1,263 ft | Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir is an impoundment of the South Fork Holston River near Kingsport, TN. Extending ten miles upstream from Fort Patrick Henr… |
| Tygart Lake, WV (Mountaineer Country, WV, US South Region, USA, West Virginia) |
1,167 ft | The wilderness song of Tygart Lake calls to fishing enthusiasts, boaters, campers, hikers, writers and artisans. Located near the beautiful Appalachia… |