Cherokee Seaplane Base

The closure was a private decision made by its owner/operator, the Cherokee Yacht Club. While the specific reason is not public, the closure was likely due to a combination of factors common for small, private air facilities: economic non-viability, declining use by seaplane pilots, rising liability insurance costs, and a shift in the club's operational focus towards its marina and social activities. There is no evidence of a major accident or military conversion leading to its closure.

The site of the former seaplane base is now fully integrated into the Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina. The water area at the specified coordinates is used for general boating, yacht mooring, and other recreational watercraft activities associated with the club. Any dedicated infrastructure that may have existed for seaplanes, such as a specific ramp or tie-down area, has since been removed or repurposed for conventional boat use. The location remains a private, active marina.

Cherokee Seaplane Base was a private-use facility that served as a prestigious amenity for the members and guests of the Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina, located on the shores of Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. Its primary purpose was to provide convenient fly-in access for individuals who owned seaplanes, allowing them to travel directly to the popular recreational lake area. The base supported a niche segment of general and recreational aviation, enhancing the exclusivity and accessibility of the yacht club. Operations were limited to private seaplane arrivals and departures, using a designated water lane for landings and takeoffs, with docking or ramp facilities available at the marina.

There are no known plans, proposals, or public discussions regarding the reopening of the Cherokee Seaplane Base. Given the significant liability, high operational and insurance costs, and the niche demand for such a facility, a reopening is considered highly improbable. The property owner's focus remains on its core business as a private yacht club and marina.