Guntersville Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guntersville Lake |
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Guntersville Lake
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 Guntersville Lake
Location in Alabama
Guntersville Lake
Location in the United States
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Location of the lake in Alabama
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| Location | Jackson / Marshall counties, Alabama, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°25′23″N 086°23′32″W / 34.42306°N 86.39222°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Tennessee River |
| Primary outflows | Tennessee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 75 mi (121 km) |
| Surface area | 69,000 acres (28,000 ha) |
Guntersville Lake is a large, man-made lake in northern Alabama. People often call it Lake Guntersville. It is located between the towns of Bridgeport and Guntersville.
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About Guntersville Lake
Guntersville Lake is Alabama's biggest lake. It covers about 69,100 acres (279.6 square kilometers). The lake stretches for 75 miles (121 kilometers). It runs from the Guntersville Dam all the way to the Nickajack Dam.
This lake is part of the Tennessee River. The Guntersville Dam separates it from Wheeler Lake. Wheeler Lake is Alabama's second-largest lake. Both lakes are important parts of the Tennessee River system.
How Guntersville Lake Was Made
Guntersville Lake was created by building the Guntersville Dam. This dam was built across the Tennessee River. Both the lake and the dam get their names from the nearby town of Guntersville. The town itself was named after an early settler, John Gunter.
Why the Dam Was Needed
For a long time, the Tennessee River had some challenges. It was hard for boats to travel easily because of narrow canals. There were also problems with flooding and not enough electricity for people living nearby. Leaders realized they needed a big plan. This plan would help with power, river travel, and flood control.
The Tennessee Valley Act
In the 1930s, the Tennessee Valley Act was passed. This act aimed to improve 640 miles of the Tennessee River. This included the area where Guntersville Lake is now. Many families had built their homes and farms along the river. When the lake was created, these families had to move.
Before the area was flooded in January 1939, a large archaeological project took place. Experts carefully studied and excavated many ancient Native American sites. This helped save important historical information.
Benefits of the Lake
Creating Guntersville Lake brought many good changes to the area. It helped improve farming, provided more electricity, and boosted local industries. It also became a popular spot for fun activities.
Today, Guntersville Lake is famous for its outdoor adventures. People enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. It is known as a top place for bass fishing. Many also consider it one of the best lake towns to live in America.
Images for kids
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Guntersville Lake
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Location of the lake in Alabama
See also
In Spanish: Lago Guntersville para niños
- Dams and reservoirs of the Tennessee River
- List of Alabama dams and reservoirs
External links
- Fishing Guntersville Lake Learn about fishing for Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Black Crappie and Catfish.
