Lake Nottely Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas

The Lake's Geography: South End to North End

Lake Nottely runs approximately 20 miles from its southern tip near the outer western edge of Blairsville to Nottely Dam at the northern end. The dam is where the lake is deepest and broadest — the main basin near the dam, with depths up to 98 feet, is the deepest water on the lake and the area least affected by the annual 32-foot drawdown in practical terms for dock use. Moving south from the dam, the lake narrows through multiple arms and channels that wind through the Chattahoochee National Forest, creating the dozens of miles of quiet coves and secluded channels that characterize the lake's middle and upper sections.

The southern tip of the lake approaches the outer edge of Blairsville — Lake Nottely is notable among Union County's assets for its proximity to the county seat. Properties at the southern end of the lake can be within 5 minutes of downtown Blairsville, which provides grocery, pharmacy, hardware, restaurants, Union General Hospital, and the broader services of a county seat. Properties near the dam in the northern sections are somewhat more remote from town services but have the deepest water and the most open-water character.

The Dam End: Deepest Water, Most Open Character

Properties at the northern end of Lake Nottely near Nottely Dam have access to the deepest water on the lake — up to 98 feet near the dam structure itself — and the broadest open water sections. This is where the lake most resembles a conventional open lake rather than a long winding reservoir. The deep water near the dam is least affected by the 32-foot annual drawdown in terms of dock usability — even at winter low pool, properties with deep-water dock positions in this section of the lake maintain functional water depth. The tradeoff is slightly more distance from Blairsville services and from Poteete Creek Park.

Poteete Creek Area: Public Access Hub

Poteete Creek Park is the primary public recreational area on Lake Nottely, maintained by Union County Parks and Recreation. Located on Poteete Creek Road off GA-325, it includes a white sand swimming beach directly on the lake, camping facilities (59 sites open April 1 through October 15), boat launch ramps, picnic tables, a pavilion available for events, bathhouse, and public restrooms. The campground and beach are consistently cited by locals and visitors as the best public lake access point in Union County.

Residential properties near the Poteete Creek area have convenient access to the public facilities — useful for hosting guests who want beach access or camping, and as a reference point for the general neighborhood feel. The area around Poteete Creek tends to have a mix of vacation homes and year-round residences, with properties ranging from older cabins to newer custom builds. The proximity to the most popular public access point means more foot traffic on the water in summer, which some buyers value for the energy and others find busy — it depends on what you want.

The Middle Arms and Channels: Wildlife and Forest

The middle sections of the lake — the multiple arms and channels that wind through the Chattahoochee National Forest — are where Nottely's 70 percent USFS shoreline character is most visible and most dramatic. Boating through these sections in summer means traveling for long distances between properties, with forested ridgelines rising on both sides and wildlife — deer, herons, occasional bear sightings at the water's edge — visible from the boat. This is the Lake Nottely that buyers who specifically seek the undeveloped character come to see.

Properties in the middle arms have the most "hidden gem" feel and the deepest visual immersion in the forest character. They also have more variable drawdown impact depending on specific terrain and depth — some middle-arm properties are on steep terrain with deep water and manage the drawdown well, others are in gently sloping channels that see more dramatic water retreat at winter low. Sub-area research within the middle arms requires property-specific depth verification rather than general area assumptions.

The Upper Arms: Quietest, Most Remote, Drawdown-Sensitive

The upper reaches of Lake Nottely's arms and tributary channels — farthest from the dam and closest to where the original Nottely River and its tributaries entered the reservoir — are the quietest and most remote sections of the lake. In summer, they are tranquil and beautiful. In winter, they are the sections most affected by the 32-foot drawdown: the upper reaches of some arms approach or reach non-navigable conditions at winter low pool. Buyers specifically interested in the upper arm sections should be the most aggressive in verifying winter pool depth before purchase, and should plan a visit to the property during January or February before committing.

Davenport Mountain OHV Trails Access

Lake Nottely is notable among North Georgia mountain lakes for its proximity to Davenport Mountain OHV Trails, located just west of the lake off GA-325. The trail system is a designated off-highway vehicle recreation area within the Chattahoochee National Forest, offering ATV, dirt bike, and four-wheel-drive vehicle access to mountain terrain. For buyers who prioritize OHV recreation in addition to lake activities — or who want to offer it to guests — Nottely's proximity to Davenport Mountain is a distinguishing feature that no other North Georgia lake in the Hiawassee-Blairsville corridor can match. It adds a category of outdoor recreation to the lake's portfolio that is unique in this market area.