Nickajack Lake

About Nickajack Lake

Nickajack Lake is one of nine reservoirs along the river that are managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The lakes will be used for flood protection, navigation and power generation. In the heart of the Cumberland Mountains, just a few miles north of Knoxville, Tennessee, Nickajacks Lake is the perfect place to relax on the water and explore the wildlife in and around the Umberland Mountains.

Hales Bar Dam was built in 1913 by the Chattanooga, Tennessee Power Company and bought by TVA in 1939. Construction of the Nickajack Dam began in 1964 and was completed in 1965, a few years after the existing Hale's Bar Dam was built. However, due to an irreparable leak in the foundation of this dam, it had to be made bedridden.

The Hales Bar Dam Lock and Powerhouse is still visible six miles from Nickajack Lake, but the lock has since been converted into a coal barge terminal. TVA planned for the future when they built the Lake Nickjack dam and the new dam to replace Hale's Bar.

The observation deck of the Nickajack lock has reopened to the public after 14 years of closure following 9 / 11. In addition to transporting more than 1.5 million tons of coal, oil and natural gas annually to and from the Tennessee River Gorge, it lifts nine large barges up to 40 feet. There is no evidence that the lock was ever insufficient to handle traffic.

Nickajack Lake is located in Marion County, about an hour from Chattanooga, and stretches 46 miles upstream from Nickjack Dam to Chickamauga Dam. Sea level is controlled by TVA and varies according to the needs of electricity generation and shipping.

Catfish and pan fish are also plentiful, and anglers can feel challenged exploring the nearly 180-mile coastline.

Besides land boat fishing, visitors to Nickajack Lake can also enjoy boating, water skiing and jet skiing. TVA also runs camps, swimming and picnicking in several locations, and there are a variety of outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, rafting and hiking.

Nickajack Lake is named after the renegade band that hides in Nickajacks Cave, and the cave has a rich history.

In the 19th century James Orr mined salpeter, and the cave was continuously mined by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Department of Natural Resources from 1863 - 1864.

The entrance to the cave is protected and closed to humans, but visitors can observe the bats in a specially designated area. From late April to early October, it is a breeding ground for the endangered grey bat, a species native to North America. The bats are born in spring and use this cave as their birthplace, and thousands of bats fly in at dusk to feed under the grey clouds.

Nickajack Lake stretches across the Tennessee River Gorge, and the Grand Canyon of Tennessee is a ravine surrounded by a wall.

The gorge is carved into Cumberland Mountain and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tennessee and the largest in the United States.

Add in the attractions of nearby Chattanooga and Nickajack Lake will surely have something for everyone. The natural beauty of the river, the picturesque views and the natural history of this beautiful lake are exceptional and make it a fantastic outdoor destination.