RedactedNarrative: On Aug 23, 2016 a pontoon vessel was rented from Fish Springs Marina struck a rock ridge on Watauga Lake in Carter County.  The vessel was traveling eastward on the lake in the area of the "Big Island".  The lake level was 1950'' on this date leaving the rocky ridge just below the water surface.  There are rock buoys that mark either end of this ridge.  the operator, saw the markers and believed these to be channel marks and operated the vessel between them.  The water level on this date was such that the vessel was able to pass over but the lower unit of the motor struck the rock formation causing damage.  There were no injuries reported associated with this accident.  Officer was contacted by the owner of Fish Springs Marina to report the accident.