RELAX ON SOUTH HOLSTON LAKE

South Holston Reservoir is on the South Fork Holston River in northeast Tennessee. It extends 24 miles east of the dam into Virginia. Construction of the dam was begun in 1942 but was halted in favor of other wartime construction efforts. Building resumed in 1947 and was completed in 1950.

South Holston is operated for many purposes, including flood control, power production, and aquatic ecology. Water levels in the reservoir vary about 30 feet during normal years to provide for flood storage and augmentation of the flow of water during the drier seasons of the year.

The South Fork Holston River is home to an annual spring migration of white bass. Locals say that when the serviceberry and dogwood bloom, the white bass run.

A footbridge from the parking lot below the dam leads to Osceola Island and its one-mile-loop wildlife trail. Early in the morning or late in the evening are the best times to sight waterfowl, deer, and other wildlife.

		South Holston Lake has more than 50 percent more shoreline (182 miles) than Watauga Lake or Boone Lake.
		South Holston Lake is more than 23 miles long.
		Only 27 percent of South Holston Lake's surrounding acreage is privately owned. The rest is the territory of the Cherokee National Forest.
		Almost 73 percent of South Holston Lake's shoreline is undeveloped government land.
		Average water temperature in the Tri-Cities area is warmer in October than it is in May.
		More info...

MARINA’S

Lake View Dock
992 Lakeview Dock Road, Bristol, TN
423-878-4331

Laurel Marina & Yacht Club
Highway 421 Bridge, Bristol, TN
423-878-5656
www.laurelmarina.com

Painter Creek Marina
766 Painter Creek Road, Bristol, TN
423-878-5775
paintercreekmarina.com

PUBLIC PARKS AND BOAT DOCKS

Cherokee National Forest
P.O. Box 400, Unicoi, TN
423-735-1500
southernregion.fs.fed.us/cherokee

Observation Knob park
553 Knob Park Road, Bristol, TN
423-878-1881
Campsites, boat ramps and picnic areas located on South Holston lake

Washington County Park
Abingdon, VA
Campsites, boat ramps and picnic areas located on South Holston lake