Poplar Springs

Poplar Springs is a boat ramp access point on Tellico Lake, the impounded section of the Little Tennessee River near Loudon in East Tennessee. This location provides access to a large river system with a drainage area of 2,621 square miles and an average flow of 5,570 cubic feet per second. The Little Tennessee River is classified as a large river (Stream Order 7) with significant water volume and generally moderate gradient, making it suitable for various water activities including paddling and motorboating.

The site is positioned on an impoundment that creates lake-like conditions compared to the flowing river upstream. With coordinates placing it near Loudon County, this access point serves as a gateway to exploring the Tellico Lake portion of the Little Tennessee River system. The water body extends 139 miles with elevation changes across its length, offering diverse paddling experiences depending on where boaters choose to explore from this launch point.

Boaters and paddlers should be prepared for a large river system with moderate current velocities averaging 5.71 feet per second. The area is suitable for multiple water sports, though conditions vary between the lake impoundment and river sections. Current conditions and water levels should be checked before launching, as this system can experience fluctuations based on upstream dam operations and seasonal flow changes.