Geography
Graham County covers 433 square miles (1,120 km2) with elevation ranges from 1,177 to 5,560 feet (1,690 m). Two-thirds of the county is the Nantahala National Forest. Fontana Lake, an impoundment of the Little Tennessee River, forms most of the northern border of the county, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the other side of the lake. Fontana Lake is formed by Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the eastern U.S. The northern boundary of Graham County is also formed by an impoundment of the Cheoah River created by Cheoah Dam.
Fontana Dam and Cheoah Dam are both operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The Cheoah River is noted for its Class IV and Class V whitewater rapids. The river is used for whitewater rafting about 17 days per year, based on a water-release schedule from Santeelah Dam.
The Appalachian Trail winds through Graham County. Part of the trail is located on top of Fontana Dam.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a rare example of an old growth cove hardwood forest, is located in northwestern Graham County. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness area.
The eastern terminus of the Cherohala Skyway is located in northwestern Graham County. The 36-mile (58 km) Cherohala Skyway connects Graham County with Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
Seventy-five percent of Lake Santeetlah shoreline borders national forest.
Read more about this topic: Graham County, North Carolina
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