It's Deer Hunting Season! Be Careful!
Deer hunting season is basically from October through early January. Wear bright colors! More information can be found here.
Hydrilla has been found in Tellico Lake
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WATeR has found hydrilla in a few places in Tellico Lake. It is an invasive plant. Hydrilla is considered a noxious pest because it grows so rapidly, out competing and eliminating native species, and forming surface mats that hinder recreation, navigation, and water intakes. Read more here. And here. WATeR has been in contact with TVA about the hydrilla and they have confirmed its presence here. Next steps are not decided. If you think you have seen hydrilla send an email to info@tellicowater.org
Read the agenda for the WATeR Annual Meeting held October 25 to get an idea of what we do.
And read the Connection article about the meeting here.
Learn the East Lake Shore Trail: Join the monthly WATeR led hike.
Next Hike Tuesday November 21
Join WATeR (The Watershed Association of the Tellico Reservoir) Tuesday, November 21st when we will hike 2 or 3 miles of the Lotterdale Branch of the East Lakeshore Trail. This is a fairly easy section of the trail with some short elevation changes. We will gather at the Poplar Springs Boat Ramp parking lot at 9:00 AM and carpool to the trailhead. The East Lakeshore Trails are just across the lake and are some of the most beautiful and accessible hiking trails in East Tennessee and have been designated as National Recreation Trails by the Department of the Interior. If you would like to become more familiar with these trails and/or would just like to take a short 2-3 mile hike, then come join us on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. All of the monthly hikes should finish no later than 11:30 AM. For additional information feel free to contact Mollie May: moljomay@gmail.com or 865 924-9972.
Report on Algae in the Lake
Good News! Tellico Reservoir can be classified as healthy as far as algae growth and presence are concerned. The study is based on sampling in 2022. Sampling will continue in 2023.
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Read more here.
State of the Lake Presentation May 4
Featuring T-Bart, Fishing Club, Carp Expert Biologists and WATeR
WATeR President talks WATeR on WATE
(Takes a little while to load but is worth watching)
The mission of WATeR is to protect the environment of the Tellico Reservoir and its Watershed.
Protecting the lake Protects our Property.
Volunteer Committees
The WQIC supplements the environmental monitoring of government agencies by conducting more frequent testing at many additional locations on the reservoir, and follows up with efforts to improve the quality of the water. These efforts are taken in collaboration with state and local agencies.
The Trails volunteers built the 31 mile East Lakeshore Trail, and work together with TVA and TRDA to maintain the trail for community enjoyment.
Over 250 people from 20 different volunteer organizations band together for an annual springtime event to clean up trash from around the lakeshore.