States · Tennessee · Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake

TVA's Holston River reservoir with a 40-foot annual drawdown — the same category as Douglas Lake, and just as misrepresented in listing photos. Three counties, three different tax rates, and a walleye fishery no competitor mentions.

TVA Managed40-ft DrawdownHolston River308 Listings
Surface Area
28,780 acres
Shoreline
400 miles
Full Pool
1,073 ft
Winter Target
~1,030 ft
Drawdown
~40 ft
Operator
TVA
River
Holston River
Counties
Jefferson, Hamblen, Grainger
Jefferson Tax
$1.43/$100
Hamblen Tax
$1.47/$100 (outside city)
Permit
TVA Section 26a
Houseboats
Not permitted
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40 Feet Down — Every Winter

Cherokee drops from 1,073 ft to around 1,030 ft each fall. That is the same category as Douglas Lake. Coves that look like paradise in July are exposed red clay fields in January. Every listing photo on Cherokee Lake was taken at summer pool. Visit in October or January before you commit.

Three Counties, Three Tax Rates

Jefferson County at $1.43 per $100, Hamblen County at $1.47 per $100 outside Morristown city limits, and Grainger County with a rate to verify before closing. On a $600,000 home the county choice alone can swing your annual tax bill by hundreds of dollars. The listing won't tell you which county you're in — pull the parcel record.

A Walleye Fishery Nobody Mentions

TWRA has actively stocked walleye and saugeye in Cherokee Lake, making it one of the few East Tennessee reservoirs where either species is a serious target. Add Cherokee bass (the hybrid the lake was named for), striped bass, largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and crappie. The fishery is more diverse than most Cherokee Lake marketing suggests.

Local Guidance

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Cherokee Lake — Operator Quick Reference
Operator
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Dam
Cherokee Dam, Holston River
Dock Permit
Section 26a — transfers at closing, 60-day re-registration
TVA Land
8,186.6 acres / 149 parcels
Dissolved O₂
TVA aerates below dam — perforated hose system
Houseboats
Not permitted on Cherokee Lake
No-Boat Zone
Near dam: no boat fishing July 1–Sept 15 (bank fishing open)
TVA Contact
Public Land Info: (800) 882-5263

Everything About Buying on Cherokee Lake

The Real Cost of Living on Cherokee Lake
Jefferson $1.43 vs Hamblen $1.47 vs Grainger — the three-county tax split with actual math. Dock, insurance, and HOA costs on a 40-ft drawdown lake.
Property Tax by County on Cherokee Lake
Jefferson County $1.43/$100 (2025). Hamblen County $1.47/$100 outside Morristown city. Grainger County — verify rate before closing. Full breakdown.
TVA Dock Permits on Cherokee Lake
Section 26a permits transfer at closing — new owner has 60 days to re-register. But 40-ft drawdown means gangway length and cove depth requirements matter enormously.
The 40-Foot Drawdown on Cherokee Lake
Full pool 1,073 ft → winter ~1,030 ft. One of TVA's largest annual swings. Coves that have water in July may be dry fields in January. What this means for your dock.
Buying on Cherokee Lake: What Can Go Wrong
40-ft drawdown means listing photos lie. Dock fishing zone closed to boats July–Sept near dam. Three-county tax gap, TVA permit transfer, and winter pool depth verification.
Neighborhoods & Communities — Cherokee Lake
Jefferson County south shore (Jefferson City market), Hamblen County (Morristown service city), Grainger County north shore — three very different buyer markets on the same lake.
Year-Round Living on Cherokee Lake
Six months of full-pool recreation, six months of 40-ft drawdown reality. Morristown services, Knoxville 45 min, Panther Creek State Park. The honest seasonal picture.
What Nobody Tells You About Cherokee Lake
Bean Station is underwater — TVA displaced 140 families to build the dam. The walleye stocking program nobody talks about. The no-boat zone near the dam. Five buyer traps.
Boating on Cherokee Lake
400 miles of shoreline, multiple TVA ramps. The restricted no-boat zone near the dam (July 1–Sept 15). Drawdown navigation hazards and seasonal access explained.
Fishing on Cherokee Lake
Walleye and saugeye stocking makes Cherokee unique in East TN. Named for the Cherokee bass hybrid. Smallmouth 18-inch minimum June–Oct. Fish attractor program with reef balls.
Retiring on Cherokee Lake
Jefferson $1.43, Hamblen $1.47/$100, no TN state income tax. Morristown hospital 20 min, UT Medical Center 45 min. Honest retirement math for East Tennessee's hidden lake.
Lakefront Insurance on Cherokee Lake
40-ft drawdown means dock hardware ages faster. Three-county market, rural fire districts, and flood zone reality on the Holston River. Annual insurance budget for Cherokee Lake.

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