List of dams and reservoirs of the Tennessee River facts for kids

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is a special organization that helps manage the Tennessee River and its many branches. They work to make sure the river system provides lots of good things for people. This includes helping boats travel easily, preventing floods, making affordable electricity, keeping water clean, and creating fun places for recreation. All these efforts also help the economy grow in the region.

How the TVA Manages the Tennessee River

The TVA built a "stairway" of nine big dams and locks along the Tennessee River. These structures changed the river into a long "water highway" that stretches for 652 miles! These dams and the lakes they create are super important.

Main River Dams and Lakes

Here are the nine main dams and their lakes, listed from the ones farthest upstream (closer to the river's start) to those farthest downstream (closer to where it ends):

• Fort Loudoun Dam creates Fort Loudoun Lake.
• Watts Bar Dam creates Watts Bar Lake.
• Chickamauga Dam creates Chickamauga Lake.
• Nickajack Dam creates Nickajack Lake.
• Guntersville Dam creates Guntersville Lake.
• Wheeler Dam creates Wheeler Lake.
• Wilson Dam creates Wilson Lake.
• Pickwick Landing Dam creates Pickwick Lake.
• Kentucky Dam creates Kentucky Lake.

Dams and Reservoirs on Other Rivers

Besides the main Tennessee River, the TVA also built dams on many smaller rivers that flow into it. These dams create reservoirs (which are like large, artificial lakes) that help control water and provide other benefits.

• Apalachia Dam on the Hiwassee River forms Apalachia Reservoir.
• Blue Ridge Dam on the Toccoa River forms Blue Ridge Reservoir.
• Boone Dam on the South Fork Holston River forms Boone Reservoir.
• Chatuge Dam on the Hiwassee River forms Chatuge Reservoir.
• Cherokee Dam on the Holston River forms Cherokee Lake.
• Douglas Dam on the French Broad River forms Douglas Lake.
• Elk River Dam on the Elk River forms Woods Reservoir.
• Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River forms Fontana Lake.
• Fort Patrick Henry Dam on the South Fork Holston River forms Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir.
• Hiwassee Dam on the Hiwassee River is just above Apalachia Reservoir.
• Melton Hill Dam on the Clinch River forms Melton Hill Reservoir.
• Nolichucky Dam on the Nolichucky River forms Davy Crockett Lake.
• Normandy Dam on the Duck River forms Normandy Reservoir.
• Norris Dam on the Clinch River forms Norris Lake.
• Nottely Dam on the Nottely River forms Lake Nottely.
• Ocoee Dam No. 1 on the Ocoee River forms Parksville Reservoir.
• Ocoee Dam No. 2 on the Ocoee River forms Ocoee Lake No. 2.
• Ocoee Dam No. 3 on the Ocoee River forms Ocoee Lake No. 3.
• South Holston Dam on the South Fork Holston River forms South Holston Reservoir.
• Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River forms Tellico Lake.
• Tims Ford Dam on the Elk River forms Tims Ford Lake.
• Watauga Dam on the Watauga River forms Watauga Lake.
• Wilbur Dam on the Watauga River forms Wilbur Reservoir.