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KyleRobles · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lakes → Alabama → Lake Guntersville

Lake Guntersville

Alabama · Reservoir impounded 1939 · near Guntersville

69,000 acres 60 ft deep 6 ft clarity Water D

Compare

6.3SCORE

Survey summary · Alabama

69,000

Surface acres

60 ft

Max depth

890 mi

Shoreline

6 ft

Typical clarity

595 ft

Elevation

Lake Guntersville covers 69,000 acres in Alabama and drops to 60 feet at its deepest point. It is a reservoir impounded in 1939 and managed by TVA. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Allowed with county permit. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

Very stable water level year-round
Large open water, 69,000 acres
890 miles of shoreline
Fishing
Boating

Watch outs

Nutrient-rich water; seasonal algae blooms are possible
TVA Section 26a approval required for any shoreline structure

Score breakdown

Water 4.2

Recreation 7.2

Value 3.7

Access 7.3

Investment 9.8

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade

Water A

ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.

Water B

GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.

Water C

FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.

Water D

PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10

8.0+

ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.

7.0–7.9

StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.

6.0–6.9

SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.

5.0–5.9

MixedReal strengths and real compromises.

Under 5

CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Largemouth bassSmallmouth bassCrappieCatfishBluegill

On the water

FishingBoatingBirdingTournaments

No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

Location

No NHD boundary matched this water body, so the marker shows the mapped centre point.

Depth profile

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 60 ft, average 19 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown3 ft Drawdown seasonWinter Trophic stateEutrophic Typical clarity6 ft Water quality gradeD Elevation595 ft Managing authorityTVA

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityTVA Section 26a Wake / speed rulesNo-wake in creeks

A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with TVA Section 26a that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Allowed with county permit

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.

Model rental income →

Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.

$485,000

Median waterfront

$3,861

Per shoreline foot

+9.0%

Year over year

230

Est. inventory

Avg days on market

$686

Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy64% Booked nights / yr168 Gross revenue$125,103 Net operating income$63,294 Yield on median price13.05%

Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Lake Guntersville actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$4,156

All-in per month

$111,890

Cash to close + setup

$12,075

Beyond P&I, tax, insurance

Where the annual cost goes

Principal & interest $30,664 (63%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $5,335 (11%) Property taxes $5,092 (11%) Utilities $2,700 (6%) Hazard insurance $2,037 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (2%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest	$30,664
Property taxes	$5,092
Hazard insurance	$2,037
Flood insurance	$650
Utilities	$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)	$5,335
Septic service	$520
Well & water testing	$260
Dock maintenance	$900
Winterization / seasonal close	$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve	$960
Total	$49,869