Nickajack Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nickajack Lake |
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Nickajack Lock and Dam
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 Nickajack Lake
Location in Tennessee
Nickajack Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Marion / Hamilton counties, Tennessee, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°00′15″N 085°37′10″W / 35.00417°N 85.61944°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Tennessee River |
| Primary outflows | Tennessee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. depth | 145 ft (44 m) |
Nickajack Lake is a large reservoir (a man-made lake) located in Tennessee, United States. It was created by the Nickajack Dam. This dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA is a special government agency that helps control floods and provides electricity.
The lake stretches between two dams: Nickajack Dam and Chickamauga Dam. It even flows right through the city of Chattanooga. A beautiful part of the Tennessee River called the "Grand Canyon of Tennessee" is also part of Nickajack Lake.
Water Levels
The normal water level for Nickajack Lake is about 633.5 feet (193.1 m) above sea level. This level stays pretty much the same throughout the year. This is different from nearby Chickamauga Lake, where the water levels can change more often.
Amazing Fish Catches
Nickajack Lake is known for some exciting fishing stories!
World Record Freshwater Drum
In 1972, a world record freshwater drum was caught in Nickajack Lake. This huge fish weighed 54 pounds 8 ounces (24.7 kg)! It was caught by a fisherman named Benny Hull. Freshwater drum are common fish found in many rivers and lakes.
Return of the Lake Sturgeon
In 2011, something very special happened in Nickajack Lake. A lake sturgeon was caught there! This was the first time anyone had seen a lake sturgeon in the lake since the 1960s. Lake sturgeon are very old and unique fish. Their return shows that the lake's environment is getting healthier.
