Center Hill Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Center Hill Lake |
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Center Hill Dam and Lake
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 Center Hill Lake
Location in Tennessee
Center Hill Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | DeKalb / Putnam / White / Warren counties, Middle Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°05′49″N 85°49′37″W / 36.09698°N 85.826869°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Caney Fork Falling Water River |
| Catchment area | 2,174 sq mi (5,630 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 64 mi (103 km) |
| Surface area | 18,220 acres (7,370 ha) |
| Max. depth | 190 ft (58 m) |
| Water volume | 762,000 acre⋅ft (940,000,000 m3) |
Center Hill Lake is a large, man-made lake in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is located in Middle Tennessee near the town of Smithville. This lake was created in 1948 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a big dam.
The lake has two very important jobs. First, it helps to produce electricity. Second, it plays a key role in controlling floods. The Center Hill Dam is about 260 feet (79 meters) tall. It is made of concrete and earth, and it has eight large gates, each 50 feet (15 meters) wide. Center Hill Lake is one of four major lakes that help control floods in the Cumberland River area. The other lakes are Percy Priest Lake, Dale Hollow Reservoir, and Lake Cumberland.
About Center Hill Lake
Center Hill Lake is quite long, stretching about 64 miles (103 kilometers). It covers a large area of about 18,220 acres (73.7 square kilometers). The lake can hold a huge amount of water, around 762,000 acre-feet (940 million cubic meters).
The shoreline of the lake is very long, about 415 miles (668 kilometers). At its deepest point, the lake goes down about 190 feet (58 meters). The area of land that drains water into the lake, called its watershed, is about 2,174 square miles (5,630 square kilometers).
Rivers and Recreation
The main river that flows into Center Hill Lake is the Caney Fork. Another important river that feeds the lake is the Falling Water River.
Center Hill Lake is a very popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy water sports like boating and swimming here. It is also well-known for fishing, attracting many anglers.
Nearby State Parks
Several beautiful state parks are located along the shores of Center Hill Lake. These include Edgar Evins State Park, Burgess Falls State Park, and Rock Island State Park. These parks offer great opportunities to explore nature and enjoy the lake's scenery.
For a long time, much of the land around Center Hill Lake was undeveloped, keeping its natural beauty. In recent years, some new homes and buildings have been constructed in the area. People who live nearby often express concern that too much building might change the natural beauty that makes the lake so special.
Dam Safety and Maintenance
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regularly checks and maintains dams like Center Hill Dam. In 2007, they identified that Center Hill Dam, along with Wolf Creek Dam in Russell County, Kentucky, needed significant upgrades to ensure their long-term safety. The Corps of Engineers works hard to keep these important structures safe and strong for everyone.
