Lake Glenville
• Highest lake east of the Mississippi: Located at an elevation of approximately 3,494 feet (1,065 m) above sea level, Lake Glenville holds the title as the highest-elevation lake east of the Mississippi River.
• Created during World War II efforts: The reservoir was formed in 1941 when Nantahala Power and Light (owned by ALCOA at the time) dammed the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River to generate hydroelectric power for aluminum production used in WWII aircraft like B-17 bombers.
• A submerged town below the surface: The original town of Glenville (once called Hamburg) was evacuated and flooded to create the lake, submerging homes, schools, businesses, farmlands, and even reaching depths of up to 300 feet in some areas.
• Impressive size and steep drop-offs: Covering about 1,450–1,470 acres with 26 miles of shoreline, the lake is remarkably deep right from the edges—often dropping to 80 feet or more just offshore, with maximum depths exceeding 130–165 feet.
• Hidden waterfalls accessible only by water: The lake is fed by multiple scenic waterfalls visible exclusively from the water, including the “Triumphant Trifecta” (Hurricane Falls, Norton Falls, and Mill Falls), with up to five waterfalls around its perimeter.
• Extreme hydroelectric drop: Water from the lake travels through tunnels and pipes to the Thorpe Powerhouse, dropping over 1,200–1,250 feet in elevation—one of the longest vertical drops for a hydroelectric plant in the Eastern United States.
• Name evolution: Officially called Thorpe Reservoir from 1951 to 2002 in honor of J.E.S. Thorpe (first president of Nantahala Power), it reverted to Lake Glenville—though some maps and signs still list the older name.
• Pristine and recreational gem: Nestled in the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains (part of the Appalachians, over 450 million years old), its clear, cool waters make it ideal for boating, fishing, kayaking, and scenic tours, with limited development preserving its serene, natural beauty.
• Created during World War II efforts: The reservoir was formed in 1941 when Nantahala Power and Light (owned by ALCOA at the time) dammed the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River to generate hydroelectric power for aluminum production used in WWII aircraft like B-17 bombers.
• A submerged town below the surface: The original town of Glenville (once called Hamburg) was evacuated and flooded to create the lake, submerging homes, schools, businesses, farmlands, and even reaching depths of up to 300 feet in some areas.
• Impressive size and steep drop-offs: Covering about 1,450–1,470 acres with 26 miles of shoreline, the lake is remarkably deep right from the edges—often dropping to 80 feet or more just offshore, with maximum depths exceeding 130–165 feet.
• Hidden waterfalls accessible only by water: The lake is fed by multiple scenic waterfalls visible exclusively from the water, including the “Triumphant Trifecta” (Hurricane Falls, Norton Falls, and Mill Falls), with up to five waterfalls around its perimeter.
• Extreme hydroelectric drop: Water from the lake travels through tunnels and pipes to the Thorpe Powerhouse, dropping over 1,200–1,250 feet in elevation—one of the longest vertical drops for a hydroelectric plant in the Eastern United States.
• Name evolution: Officially called Thorpe Reservoir from 1951 to 2002 in honor of J.E.S. Thorpe (first president of Nantahala Power), it reverted to Lake Glenville—though some maps and signs still list the older name.
• Pristine and recreational gem: Nestled in the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains (part of the Appalachians, over 450 million years old), its clear, cool waters make it ideal for boating, fishing, kayaking, and scenic tours, with limited development preserving its serene, natural beauty.