Sheriff Will Alexander is a World War II veteran and the high sheriff of Oconee County, whose jurisdiction covers Jocassee Valley. With partial Cherokee heritage, he feels deeply connected to the land and is troubled by Carolina Power's plans to turn the valley into a reservoir. He carries heavy regrets about his past, including an estranged relationship with his family and a difficult, strained marriage.

Amy is a young woman with blond hair and blue eyes living in Jocassee Valley. As Billy's devoted wife, she faces intense societal pressure and local gossip regarding her inability to conceive a child. She holds strong religious beliefs combined with deep-seated local superstitions, fearing divine punishment for a childhood accident involving her brother.

Billy is a hardworking, intelligent farmer in Jocassee Valley. A childhood bout of polio left him with a permanent limp, feeding his personal insecurities about his physical capabilities. He loves his wife Amy intensely and fears that his inability to give her a child will eventually destroy their marriage.

Isaac grows up as the beloved son of the Holcombe family in Jocassee Valley. He works the land alongside his father and remains deeply attached to his rural home. As he reaches his late teens, he faces the impending destruction of his community by Carolina Power and receives confusing attention from older residents of the valley.

Holland is a violent and handsome Korean War veteran who struggles to readjust to civilian life in Jocassee Valley. He carries gruesome trophies from his combat experience alongside a military medal for bravery. His aggressive, disruptive presence in the community quickly draws the attention of local law enforcement before he suddenly goes missing.

Bobby is the reliable deputy sheriff of Oconee County. He assists Will Alexander with his daily duties, including the difficult task of searching the valley and rivers for signs of missing persons. He approaches police work with a practical mindset but harbors his own superstitious discomfort regarding the valley.

Mrs. Winchester is a fiercely determined older woman living in Jocassee Valley. She refuses to accept the lack of answers regarding her son's disappearance and is highly suspicious of her neighbors. She is deeply attached to her family home and actively resists Carolina Power's eviction notices.

Widow Glendower is an isolated older woman who lives alone on the outskirts of the farming community. Many Jocassee residents secretly consult her for alternative medicine and herbal remedies, even while publicly labeling her a witch. She serves as a confidante for desperate locals who have nowhere else to turn.

Travis is Will Alexander's brother, who remained in Jocassee Valley to work the family farm and care for their ailing father. He harbors deep resentment toward Will for moving to town and abandoning his agricultural responsibilities.

Janice is Will Alexander's wife, who grew up in town as the daughter of a doctor. Her relationship with Will is strained by a shared history of trauma, including a miscarriage that left her unable to have children. She views Will's country habits with mild irritation.

Mr. Alexander is an aging farmer whose health is rapidly declining due to a heart condition. He always hoped that his sons would maintain the family's agricultural legacy and frequently reminds Will to visit the farm more often.

Doctor Griffin is a medical professional in town and Janice's father. Once thought to be wealthy, he lost his financial stability in the 1929 stock market crash. He serves as the primary physician for the area, treating childhood diseases and adult traumas.

Sam is a dependable plow horse working on the Holcombe farm. He provides essential labor for Billy's agricultural work.

Mr. Pearson is the local undertaker responsible for managing the town's dead. As Carolina Power prepares to flood the valley, he coordinates the grim task of exhuming the cemetery so the coffins do not later float to the surface of the reservoir.

Ella Addis is a local midwife in Jocassee Valley. She provides medical and practical assistance to the rural women during childbirth, stepping in to support Amy when she goes into labor during a harsh winter.

Matthew is Amy's younger brother. During their childhood, a barn accident left him with a permanent limp, an event that heavily influences Amy's adult fears about divine punishment.