Tennessee's landscape is defined by the mighty Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, which, in the mid-20th century, were transformed into a massive network of waterways. Because almost all of Tennessee's significant lakes are artificial reservoirs, the title of "largest" belongs to an engineering marvel that stretches across the state line. At the same time, a violent act of nature created its most famous natural lake.
The Man-Made Giant: Kentucky Lake
Kentucky Lake is the undisputed heavyweight of Tennessee's waters. Created in 1944 by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with the completion of the Kentucky Dam, it is the largest artificial lake in the eastern United States by surface area.
- Surface Area: Approximately 160,309 acres (250 square miles).
- Shoreline: Over 2,300 miles.
- Location: Stretches 184 miles from Gilbertsville, Kentucky, down to the Pickwick Dam in West Tennessee.
Though it bears the name of its northern neighbor, a significant portion of this massive reservoir lies within Tennessee. It is a vital part of the "Great Loop" waterway and a legendary destination for bass and crappie fishing. The lake is so vast that it feels more like a slow-moving river in some stretches and an inland sea in others, bordered by the lush, uninhabited forests of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
The Natural Phenomenon: Reelfoot Lake
When looking for the largest natural lake in Tennessee, the answer is found in a strange and beautiful swamp-like basin in the northwest corner of the state. Reelfoot Lake was not formed by glaciers or slow erosion, but by the cataclysmic New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 and 1812.
- Surface Area: Approximately 15,000 acres.
- Maximum Depth: Only 18 feet (averaging 5 feet).
- Location: Lake and Obion Counties in Northwest Tennessee.
The earthquakes were so powerful that they reportedly caused the Mississippi River to flow backward, filling a low-lying area to create the lake. Today, Reelfoot is a flooded forest of majestic Cypress trees and lily pads. It is a world-class sanctuary for American bald eagles. It serves as one of the most unique ecosystems in the South, looking more like a primordial bayou than a traditional mountain lake.
The Tributary Champion: Norris Lake
While Kentucky Lake sits on the main stem of the Tennessee River, Norris Lake holds the title of the largest reservoir on a tributary of the Tennessee River.
- Surface Area: Approximately 33,840 acres.
- Location: East Tennessee, near Knoxville.
Norris was the first project taken on by the TVA in the 1930s. It is famous for its deep, emerald-green water and its position tucked into the shadows of the Cumberland Mountains, offering over 800 miles of rugged, forested shoreline.
Tennessee's water landscape is anchored by Kentucky Lake, a 160,000-acre artificial giant that serves as the State premier destination for large-scale boating and professional fishing tournaments. For a more historic and wild experience, Reelfoot Lake stands as the State largest natural lake, a Cypress-filled wonder born from the force of a historic earthquake. Whether you are exploring the deep mountain coves of Norris Lake or the vast expanses of the Tennessee River, the Volunteer State offers some of the most diverse inland water experiences in the country.