Welcome to
Hiawassee
The word Hiwassee comes from the Cherokee word Ayuhwasi, which translates to “Meadow”.
Hiawassee, Georgia was established in Towns County as “Hiwassee” which was its original spelling in 1870. Hiawassee is an Appalachian Trail Community with much natural diversity surrounded by mountains, trees, lakes, gardens, waterfalls, and trails. The variant spelling “Hiwassee “ is used for some of the local rivers and trails in this area still today.
In the early 1700s, some of the Cherokee community lived in what now is Towns County. A small town named Quanassee inhabited the banks of the Hiwassee River. Visitors today can journey on the two-mile Quanassee Path, a Cherokee History Trail that was created to share the history and culture of the Cherokee people. To learn more about the trail, check out this site: Quanassee Path
In 1856, Towns County was officially formed and was known at the time for its fur trading. Towns County was later incorporated as a city in 1916.
The real transformation of Hiawassee started in 1937 with the creation of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Another big change occurred in 1941 when the Hiwassee River was dammed in order to create Lake Chatuge which now spreads between Georgia and North Carolina. The creation of Lake Chatuge submerged 3,500 acres of land which displaced hundreds of local residents. However, this change created many new jobs for locals which helped improve their economic struggles from the Great Depression.
For more information, check out this article: Hiawassee History
As of 2023, Hiawassee’s local population is 1,070. 46% is 65+ with 51% of the demographic being families.
Located in the mountains, Hiawassee benefits from a generally mild climate all year round. July is the hottest month climbing to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers generally range in the upper 80’s with little to no humidity which always keeps it cooler than Clearwater, FL. Winters typically range between 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme summer and winter temperatures last for a short time making this weather comfortable no matter when you visit.
May, June, and September are the most pleasant months to visit Hiawassee. To see autumn in full bloom, visit early-mid November.
Experience
Lake Chatuge
The man-made reservoir was constructed in 1942 by creating a 2,950-foot earth-and-rock dam across the Hiwassee River.
Lake Chatuge is located on the Hiwassee River spreading across northern Georgia and western North Carolina. It is a total of 13 miles long with 132 miles of shoreline. At its deepest, it is 144 feet but the average lake depth ranges around 30 feet. Lake Chatuge is the highest major lake in the state of Georgia at 1,926 ft elevation.
The Chatuge Dam is 144 feet high and 2,850 ft long. Near the dam, a concrete weir was installed to provide a steady flow of water in the riverbed to increase oxygen levels for the fish and other species that inhabit Lake Chatuge. Because of this, Lake Chatuge is a go-to spot in Northern Georgia for sport and wade fishing for trout which has become incredibly popular.
Hiawassee GA, Hayesville, NC, Blue Ridge GA, and Blairsville, GA all nearby destinations to Lake Chatuge and all have special activities and recreational attractions worth visiting during your stay on Lake Chatuge. Additionally, Angel’s Cove offers docks with waterfront access for boating, fishing, swimming, and lots more water activities to fill your summers!
For more information on the activities on Lake Chatuge, check out this site: https://www.golakechatuge.com/