Local Lakes Near Full Pool As Boating Season Begins

Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Those traveling around the local lakes this weekend may have noticed a significant rise in water levels. Though still short of a full pool, Douglas and Cherokee Lakes are certainly deeper than just one week ago. Cherokee Lake was sitting at 1,052.40 ft, as of early Sunday morning, which is 20.60 ft shy of a full pool of 1,073 ft. Douglas Lake is even closer to full pool, with water levels at 982.30 on Sunday making it just 7.70 feet below the 990. ft target mark. Douglas Lake has risen more than 15 ft since the beginning of April and Cherokee Lake has come up nearly that much, as well.

TVA has a target date of full pool before Memorial Day, however the local lakes are generally hitting that mark long before the holiday weekend. Boaters were taking advantage of the Easter holiday weekend, with many taking their first turn on the lakes for the 2014 boating season. In addition to local recreational boaters, anglers were on the local waters, looking to catch the big one and enjoying the increasing depth of some of Jefferson County’s best assets.

Source: K. Depew, News Director