Learn the East Lake Shore Trail: Join the monthly WATeR led hike.
Next Hike Tuesday February 21
Join WATeR (The Watershed Association of the Tellico Reservoir) Tuesday, February 21st, when we will hike 2 1/2 miles (round trip) of the Wildcat Ridge Branch of the East Lakeshore Trail. This is a moderate section of the trail but with some short steep climbs. We begin our hike at the Wildcat Point parking lot/trailhead. To reach Wildcat Ridge we hike about .2 mile on the Morganton Section, with .1 mile of that a steep climb where we gain 160 feet in elevation to the high point of the trails. We will then traverse the ridge top with ups and downs of about 30 feet in elevation. But after about .7 mile those ups and downs will be dropping in elevation so that when we reach our turn around point at the overlook we will only be about 20 feet higher in elevation than the parking lot where we started. So we will have a climb on the return. We will gather at the Poplar Springs Boat Ramp parking lot at 9:00 AM and carpool to the trailhead. Hikers from Rarity Bay, Wind River, and Foothills Pointe can meet us at the Wildcat Point Trailhead parking lot, located about ½ mile north of the intersection of East Coast Tellico Pkwy and US 411, at 9:30 AM. 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 3 rd 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.
Tree Ordering has gone live!
Tennessee Tree Day 2023 is the largest community tree-planting project of its kind in America, taking place on Saturday, March 18, 2023! You and other Tennessee residents will collectively pick up and plant more than 95,000 native tree seedlings in all 95 Tennessee counties during the weekend of March 18th, 2023. The trees are yours to plant on your own property and will enhance our environment and communities for generations to come!
Read how to participate here.
Support WATeR
TAKE THE PLUNGE!
January 1, 2023 at HIGH NOON at Poplar Springs!
Don't Miss It!
In case you missed it here it was:
WATeR President talks WATeR on WATE
(Takes a little while to load but is worth watching)
WATeR strives to maintain the agricultural, recreational, and commercial value of the Tellico Reservoir and the surrounding watershed in Monroe, Blount and Loudon Counties.
Water Quality
Water Quality is the prime directive for WATeR. Nothing is more important than protecting the water quality of Tellico Reservoir and its watershed
Shoreline Cleanup
Volunteers cleanup the lake shoreline every spring. Our journey began in 2002 with 250 dedicated volunteers who removed 4-tons of trash in our effort to improve and protect the areas in and around the Tellico Watershed.
East Lake Shore Trail
The purpose of the East Lakeshore Trail project is to provide a recreational and educational hiking experience along a portion of the east shoreline of Tellico Lake. It is the product of a successful partnership between WATeR and the Tennessee Valley Authority and has been designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Recreation Trail. The trail is open all year.
Respect Private Property
The East Lakeshore Trail is located on TVA property but in many locations it runs adjacent to private property. The trail is well marked and it is important to stay on the trail at all times and not wander onto privately owned property. Lawns and driveways are there for the landowners and not for shortcuts or alternate routes. Please respect private property the same as you expect people to respect yours.
Also be aware deer gun hunting season starts 11/19/2022 and ends 1/8/2023. Even though visibility is quite good in the woods, it is suggested that as a safety precaution, hikers should hike in groups and wear fluorescent orange or bright colors while using the trail during hunting seasons. The bright colors should be visible from front and back.
Knoxnews reported on 11/28/20 that 14,021 deer were shot 11/21 and 11/22 in Tennessee.
Education
What is WATeR???
The Watershed Association of the Tellico Reservoir (WATeR) supports policies and projects that protect and improve the environment in and around Tellico Reservoir. WATeR strives to maintain the agricultural, recreational, and commercial value of the Tellico reservoir and the surrounding watershed in Monroe, Blount, and Loudon counties.
Volunteer/Join
