CASHIERS LAKE

  Radio Cashiers staff had a chance to visit the Cashiers Lake site and we were impressed. 

Cashiers Lake’s restoration is a central part of the community’s vision and reflects a deep respect for both the land and the watershed it inhabits. Because Cashiers Lake sits at the headwaters of the Chattooga River — a 57-mile free-flowing river that ultimately becomes part of the Tugaloo and Savannah River system — careful environmental stewardship is essential. 

View our gallery of images below to see the progress. 

 Cashiers Lake is a thoughtfully crafted mountain community rooted in the natural beauty and timeless character of Cashiers, North Carolina. At the core of this vision is founder Helene Gralnick, whose inspiration stems from a deep desire to create a place where life unfolds more simply and meaningfully — where days are filled with family, nature, and well-being rather than the rush of modern life. From the outset, Cashiers Lake has been guided by a principle of purposeful stewardship, honoring the land’s unique setting between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains and preserving the serenity that makes this corner of the world so special.  

 The development of Cashiers Lake reflects a partnership between long-term owners and experienced community builders with a shared commitment to quality and sustainability. While Cashiers Lake Investments, LLC remains the owner of the property and steward of the project, the community has also drawn on the expertise of developers like Daniel Communities and Silverwing Partners to shape its long-term plan and ensure an authentic mountain lifestyle. Together, these teams have balanced homeowner expectations with environmental care — from protecting the lake’s headwaters and watershed to creating spaces that seamlessly connect residents to the wider village and its natural surroundings. 

Looking ahead, Cashiers Lake is planned as a harmonious blend of residential living, community connection, and amenities that celebrate both relaxation and active living. The first homesite offering includes a collection of 28 thoughtfully sited lake-adjacent properties, each designed to preserve privacy and capture views of the lake and mountains. Future plans extend beyond private homes to embrace community spaces such as a Lakehouse, dining at Gracies, wellness and fitness facilities, greenway trails, and lake activities that enhance everyday life while fostering connection among neighbors. Every element of Cashiers Lake has been conceived to nurture both individuality and a sense of belonging within this evolving yet timeless community.

Visit Cashiers Lake

The Cashiers Lake project team has been working with wetland and watershed restoration experts to enhance the lake’s ecological function, improving water quality and resilience for years to come. These efforts include creating biofilters, forebays, and littoral shelves — natural features that help remove sediment and pollutants from incoming water before it reaches the main lake basin, preserving clarity and supporting healthy aquatic life.

Restoration isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about safeguarding a vital environmental asset within the larger Chattooga watershed. Over time, sediment has accumulated in the lake from historic land use and surrounding watershed processes, affecting its natural capacity to filter water and support diverse plant and animal life. The restoration work being undertaken addresses these long-term challenges by thoughtfully balancing ecological function with community use, ensuring that the lake remains a living, dynamic part of the landscape rather than a stagnant feature.

Because the Chattooga River is classified under North Carolina’s Outstanding Resource Waters designation, the health of its headwaters — starting at Cashiers Lake — is of statewide significance. By investing in restoration practices that reduce sedimentation, improve water retention, and enhance wetland function, the Cashiers Lake project contributes to the long-term protection of downstream water quality and the ecological integrity of one of the Southeast’s most treasured river systems.