So, here’s the thing about lakes in Johnson City TN. If you pull up a map and look for a giant body of water sitting right in the middle of the city limits, you’re going to be disappointed. You won't find one. Johnson City is a mountain town, built on ridges and rolling hills, not a coastal basin. But that’s actually the secret.
Because the city sits in the rain shadow of the Blue Ridge, the water here is different. It’s tucked away. You have to drive fifteen or twenty minutes, winding through backroads where the cell service gets a little spotty, before the trees part and you see that deep, Appalachian blue. Most people moving here think they’re stuck with just the local parks, but they’re actually sitting in the center of one of the best freshwater systems in the entire country.
Boone Lake: The Local Comeback Story
If you ask any long-time resident about Boone Lake, they’ll probably give you a look. For years, this place was the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. Back in 2014, workers found a sinkhole near the dam. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) had to drop the water levels significantly for safety. It stayed that way for a long time. People sold their boats. Docks sat in the mud. It was a mess.
But that’s over now. Boone Lake is back at full summer pool, and honestly, it’s better than it was before the drawdown.
Boone is the "social" lake. Since it's basically in the backyard of North Johnson City and Gray, it’s where everyone goes after work on a Tuesday. It’s a 4,500-acre reservoir formed by the confluence of the South Fork Holston River and the Watauga River.
What makes Boone unique is the shoreline. It’s heavily developed, which sounds like a bad thing until you want a burger. You can pull your boat right up to places like Sonny’s Marina or Davis Marina. There’s something specifically "East Tennessee" about eating catfish on a floating deck while watching the sunset hit the ridges.
The fishing here is legitimately world-class. People pull massive striped bass and smallmouth out of these waters. If you’re fishing the "river" sections—the narrower parts of the lake—the current can be tricky. Locals look for the "boils" where the cold river water meets the warmer lake water. That's where the big fish hide.
Watauga Lake: The High Elevation Gem
Now, if Boone is for socializing, Watauga Lake is for escaping.
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You’ll have to drive toward Elizabethton and keep going up. Watauga is tucked into the Cherokee National Forest. Because so much of the shoreline is federally protected, you don’t see the rows of houses and docks that you see on Boone. It feels wild. It’s the highest reservoir in the TVA system, sitting at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level.
The water is incredibly clear. On a sunny day, you can see several feet down, which is rare for Southern reservoirs that are usually murky with silt.
Why the "Sunken Town" isn't just a myth
There’s a bit of local lore that always gets brought up at the marinas. Beneath the surface of Watauga Lake lies the old town of Butler. In the 1940s, the TVA flooded the valley to create the dam. They moved the residents, but the "Town That Wouldn't Die" stayed underwater. Divers used to swear you could see the old bridge foundations.
It's quiet.
There are no jet skis buzzing every five seconds. Instead, you get deep, cold water and silence. Point 24 Recreation Area is a solid spot if you don't have a boat. It’s got a swimming area that feels like a mountain beach. Just be prepared: the water is cold. Even in July, that mountain runoff keeps the temperatures crisp.
South Holston Lake: The Border Hopper
Drive north from Johnson City toward Bristol, and you hit South Holston. This one is massive—about 7,500 acres. Roughly 60% of the shoreline is bordered by the Cherokee National Forest, so it has that same "unspoiled" vibe as Watauga but on a much larger scale.
South Holston is famous for two things: its dam and its trout.
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The South Holston Dam is a massive earth-fill structure. If you walk across the top, the view of the valley is dizzying. But the real magic is below the dam. The TVA releases cold water from the bottom of the lake into the river, creating a "tailwater" habitat. This is arguably the best fly-fishing spot in the Southeastern United States.
You’ll see people in waders standing in the middle of the river at 6:00 AM, even in the winter. They’re looking for browns and rainbows. The "sulphur hatch" here is legendary among anglers. When the bugs start hitting the water, the surface looks like it's boiling with rising fish.
The Weir Dam Experience
Just below the main dam, there’s a smaller structure called a weir dam. It looks like a giant concrete grate in the water. Its job is to keep oxygen in the river even when the main turbines aren't running. It’s a great spot for a walk. There’s a pedestrian bridge that gives you a perfect view of the water rushing over the grates. It’s strangely hypnotic.
Wilbur Lake: The One Nobody Mentions
If you want to feel like you’ve discovered a secret, go to Wilbur. It’s tiny. It’s basically a wide spot in the Watauga River just below the Watauga Dam.
Most people drive right past it on their way to the big lake. Because it’s so small and the water is constantly moving, it stays freezing cold all year. You won't see many swimmers here. What you will see are kayakers and paddleboarders who want glass-calm water without the wind chop of the bigger lakes.
It’s moody.
In the mornings, mist often hangs just a few feet above the water because of the temperature difference between the air and the river. It looks like something out of a movie set in the Pacific Northwest, not Tennessee.
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Navigating the Practicalities
Living near these lakes in Johnson City TN means understanding the "Swing."
TVA lakes are working reservoirs. They aren't static. In the winter, the TVA pulls the water levels down to make room for spring rains and to prevent flooding. If you visit in February, the lakes look like craters. The docks are sitting on dry land. If you’re planning a trip or looking at real estate, you have to check the "operating guide" on the TVA website or app.
Public Access vs. Private Docks
- Boone: Best for boat rentals and "dock and dine."
- Watauga: Best for camping and hiking (The Appalachian Trail actually crosses the Watauga Dam).
- South Holston: Best for serious fishing and long-distance boating.
- Wilbur: Best for a quick, quiet paddle.
The Reality of Water Quality
Let’s be honest for a second. In the past, Boone Lake had some issues with runoff from local farms and urban development. The "Boone Lake Association" has done a massive amount of work to clean things up. They do regular testing. While it’s perfectly safe for swimming now, some people still prefer the "purity" of Watauga because it’s surrounded by forest rather than neighborhoods.
If you’re sensitive to water clarity, head to Watauga. If you want convenience and a place to park the pontoon boat near a bathroom and a restaurant, Boone is your winner.
What You Should Do Next
If you're just starting your exploration of the lakes in Johnson City TN, don't try to do them all in a weekend. You’ll just spend the whole time in your car.
Start with Winged Deer Park in Johnson City. It sits right on a finger of Boone Lake. It’s the easiest "entry point." There’s a public boat ramp, a boardwalk, and plenty of space to just sit and look at the water. If you like what you see there, rent a boat for a half-day at Rockingham Marina.
For the hikers, head to the Watauga Dam Tailwater Trail. It’s a relatively easy hike that gives you a look at the massive engineering of the dam and the natural beauty of the river below.
Finally, download the TVA Lake Info app. It tells you exactly how much water they are releasing from the dams. If you’re going to be on the river or near the shore, you need to know if the water level is about to rise. It can happen fast—sometimes several feet in an hour. Being caught on a rock in the middle of the South Holston when they start generating power is a mistake you only make once.