FontanaLake

A new search and rescue boat – for use in both Graham and Swain counties – was unveiled on the shores of Fontana Lake on Aug. 14. From left are Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit; U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Hendersonville), who helped obtain the funding to purchase the boat; and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Rescue boat revealed

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Lemmons Branch – Three months of speculation regarding the purchase of a new search and rescue boat was cleared up at a quick convergence of local and regional officials Aug. 14. Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit and Swain County Sheriff Brian Kirkland thanked U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.

As a mist rises off the water, volunteers sift through garbage strewn about a bank that normally is underwater during warm months on Fontana Lake during last month’s clean-up. Photos courtesy of Brandon Jones/Fontana Village Marina

Beauty preserved

Latresa Phillips

Monday, November 18, 2024

Fontana – In 2017, community members and volunteers in the Fontana Dam area joined Brandon Jones for the inaugural lake clean-up. In a day and a half, 12 people had collected 22,000 pounds of garbage. It was a start.

An infant tragically drowned in the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake on Saturday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Infant drowns in Fontana Lake

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Cable Cove – A Swain County family experienced an unimaginable loss Saturday, as a day of fun turned into tragedy. Around 5 p.m., the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was notified of a distressed vessel near the Cable Cove section of Fontana Lake in Graham County.

Fontana Village Marina Manager Brandon Jones helps unload trash during the Fontana Lakeshore Cleanup on Saturday. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

65,000 pounds lighter

Ruby Annas

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Fontana Dam – All were encouraged to help keep Fontana Lake beautiful during the sixth annual Fontana Lakeshore Trash Clean-Up, which was held from Friday-Sunday.

Fontana Village Marina Manager Brandon Jones was recently named a recipient of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s annual Governor Conservation Achievement Award. Photo by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Jones named Public Lands Conservationist of the Year

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Fontana Dam – The North Carolina Wildlife Federation recently announced the winners of the 59th Annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards.

The Seabin has been a welcome addition to the continued beautification efforts of Fontana Lake. Photos by Latresa Phillips/The Graham Star

Mission: keep Fontana Lake beautiful

Latresa Phillips

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Fontana Dam – Nestled in-between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Nantahala National Forest of Western North Carolina, Lake Fontana forms the southern border of the Great Smokies.

An information kiosk is where campers would have paid the fee to use Cable Cove Campground near Lake Fontana, but the N.C. Forest Service confirmed Friday that the location would not open for the 2022 season. Photo by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Cable Cove Campground shuttered

Randy Foster

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Fontana — Cable Cove Campground, one of three National Forest campgrounds in Graham County that feature lakeside boat ramps, will not reopen in 2022, and at least half of the campground will likely never reopen. The Cable Cove boat ramp will remain open for year-round access to Fontana Lake.

An unidentified firefighter emerges from the smoke and flames that consumed nearly 400 acres around Fontana Lake last week. Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service.

Fires burn over 400 acres

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Almond – A cloud of mystery still lingers over a pair of wildfires that burned more than 400 acres around Fontana Lake last week. Officials first discovered the two blazes late April 14 in both the Wolf Creek and Tsali areas of southeastern Graham County. Both fires were burning on U.S.

Good cast, great catch

Matthew Miller

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Fontana – As fishing season ramps up, Fontana Marina – in conjunction with the Boy Scouts – held the sixth annual bass fishing tournament last weekend. Fontana Lake is a known fishing destination for locals and tourists alike.

Brian Cable, Greg Davidson and Carl Ferguson (from left) unload just a small portion of trash collected during last weekend’s Fontana Lakes’ Clean-Up. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

3 days of cleaning

Robbi Pounds

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Fontana – “It’s not my trash, but it is my planet,” said Brandon Jones, manager of the Fontana Village Resort and Marina and co-organizer of the the Fontana Lakes’ 2nd Annual Lake-Shore Cleanup. The clean-up spanned three clear but very crisp days, with volunteers collecting trash from 9 a.m.