Tucked into the mountains just northwest of Blairsville, Lake Nottely has a way of slowing people down — clear water, long green ridgelines, and coves that wander back into the Chattahoochee National Forest. Lake Nottely real estate ranges from lake-access cabins and cottages to full lakefront homes with dock potential, all on a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir that sits entirely within Union County, Georgia. Because Nottely is a TVA lake, the details that matter most to buyers — shoreline rules, dock permits, and seasonal water levels — work a little differently here than on a private lake, and understanding them early makes the whole search calmer and clearer.

Where is Lake Nottely, and how do you get there?

Lake Nottely lies in Union County, Georgia, just northwest of the town of Blairsville, on the southeastern edge of the Tennessee River watershed. The reservoir was created when the TVA dammed the Nottely River, with the gates closing in early 1942, and today it threads roughly 20 miles through the North Georgia mountains, ringed by the Chattahoochee National Forest. Blairsville anchors the area, with Brasstown Bald — Georgia's highest point — rising nearby. Access is straightforward by mountain standards: the GA-515/US-76 corridor connects the region toward Blue Ridge and on to the I-575/I-75 route into metro Atlanta, which is roughly a two-hour drive south. For buyers crossing the state line, Murphy, North Carolina and Lake Chatuge are a short drive away, which means many people shopping Nottely are also weighing options just over the border. Confirm current drive times for your starting point, since mountain routes vary with season and traffic.

What kinds of homes can you find on Lake Nottely?

Inventory around Nottely is varied, which helps if you're still deciding how you want to spend your time on the water. In a typical search you'll encounter:

• Lakefront homes — properties with frontage on the reservoir, sometimes with an existing permitted dock or the potential to pursue one, ranging from older lake cottages to newer custom homes with lake-facing porches.
• Lake-access homes — properties in communities that share a common dock, ramp, or deeded access point, usually at a lower price than direct lakefront.
• Lake-view homes — set up the slope, trading direct frontage for long-range mountain-and-water views.
• Cabins and cottages — smaller footprints on wooded lots, well suited to a lock-and-leave property.
• Land and build sites — for those who want to design from scratch, with the usual mountain considerations of slope, septic suitability, and road access.

Floor plans tend toward open main levels with a primary suite on the main floor, walk-out lower levels built into the grade, and generous outdoor living — screened porches, decks, and lakeside patios that earn their keep in three of the four seasons.

Lakefront vs. lake-access — what's the difference?

This is the first fork in the road for most buyers, and it shapes both budget and daily routine. The short version: lakefront puts the water at your back door and may carry dock potential, while lake-access gives you the lake lifestyle at a lower entry point through shared facilities.

Lakefront	Lake-access
Direct frontage; sometimes an existing permitted dock or dock potential	Shared community dock, ramp, or deeded access point
Higher price for the frontage premium	Lower entry point for a lake lifestyle
Step from your yard toward the water	Short walk or drive to shared facilities
Dock rights governed by TVA shoreline rules	Dock use governed by HOA / community rules

Neither is automatically the better choice — it depends on whether keeping a boat at your own dock matters more than the price difference. Either way, get the specifics in writing before you commit.

Can you build a dock on Lake Nottely?

Because Nottely is a TVA reservoir, the Tennessee Valley Authority — not the individual homeowner — regulates the shoreline and docks. That means a lakefront listing does not automatically come with dock rights, and an existing dock should be confirmed as permitted and transferable. Before writing an offer on any waterfront property, it's worth verifying the current permit status, what's allowed along that particular stretch of shoreline, and whether any existing structures need to be brought into compliance. A neighbor's dock is not proof of your own rights, and these rules can change, so confirm the latest TVA shoreline guidance rather than relying on what the water looks like on a pretty afternoon. This is exactly where local representation earns its keep — knowing which questions to ask, and of whom, before you fall for the view.

What is TVA drawdown, and how does it affect the shoreline?

TVA manages reservoirs like Nottely for flood storage, power, and recreation, which means water levels are intentionally raised and lowered through the year — fuller in the warm months and drawn down heading into winter, generally by around 20 feet in a normal year. The practical effect for buyers is simple but important: the shoreline you see in July can look quite different in January, and the distance from a home to the water's edge — and to a dock — shifts with the season. If you tour in one season, ask to see photos or data from the other, so the frontage you're picturing matches the frontage you'll actually have year-round. Confirm the current seasonal schedule, since TVA sets and adjusts these levels.

What is there to do on and around the lake?

Beyond the water itself — boating, paddling, and swimming across roughly 4,180 acres — Nottely is known for its fishing, with bass, striped bass, walleye, rainbow trout, and crappie among the species the state stocks and anglers chase. The surrounding Chattahoochee National Forest offers hiking and quiet, and Brasstown Bald rewards the drive up with views across several states on a clear day. Blairsville's downtown square brings local restaurants, shops, and seasonal events, and the broader region is laced with rivers, trails, wineries, and overlooks. With Blue Ridge, Georgia and Murphy, North Carolina both close by, Nottely sits at the center of a four-season corner of the mountains where genuine fall color and the occasional dusting of snow shape the rhythm of the year.

Why work with The DuPree Real Estate Group on Lake Nottely?

Buying on a TVA lake has more moving parts than a typical purchase — shoreline permits, drawdown, well and septic on rural lots, and the difference between a recorded dock and a hopeful one. The DuPree Real Estate Group is built around a specialist model, where each part of the transaction is handled by someone whose focus is exactly that, from the first showing through contract and close. Bonnie DuPree has been helping people find their place across Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia since 2007, and that working knowledge of the lakes that span the state line — which coves hold water, which roads are maintained, what to verify before you offer — is the quiet difference between a smooth purchase and an expensive surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lake Nottely located?

Lake Nottely is in Union County, Georgia, just northwest of Blairsville, and is surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir on the Nottely River, completed in 1942.

How big is Lake Nottely?

At full summer pool, Lake Nottely covers roughly 4,180 acres with about 106 miles of shoreline, and the reservoir stretches some 20 miles toward Blairsville. A large portion of the shoreline is undeveloped national-forest land.

Who controls the docks on Lake Nottely?

The Tennessee Valley Authority regulates the shoreline and docks because Nottely is a TVA reservoir. Dock rights are not automatic with lakefront ownership, so confirm permit status and what is allowed for a specific property before making an offer.

How far is Lake Nottely from Atlanta?

Lake Nottely is roughly a two-hour drive north of Atlanta via the North Georgia mountain corridors. Murphy, North Carolina and Lake Chatuge are a short drive away across the state line. Confirm current times for your specific starting point.

Why do the water levels change on Lake Nottely?

TVA manages the reservoir for flood storage, power, and recreation, raising levels in the warm months and drawing them down toward winter — generally by about 20 feet in a normal year. The shoreline and the distance to a dock can look different season to season, so review both before you buy.

Finding your place on Lake Nottely

Lake Nottely rewards buyers who learn its rhythms — the docks, the drawdown, the difference a cove makes — before they choose. When you're ready, you can browse current lake listings, compare notes with the Lake Chatuge guide just across the line, or reach out to Bonnie DuPree to talk through what you're looking for. Come see the view — and find your moment on the water.

The DuPree Real Estate Group is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Town & Country · Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.