Knoxville, TN

Norris Lake Homes provide 809 miles of shoreline and 33,840 acres of water surface. It is the largest reservoir on a tributary of the Tennessee River. The recreational use of Norris Reservoir exceeds that of any other tributary reservoir in the TVA river system. Norris Dam is 265 feet high and stretches 1,860 feet across the Clinch River. The town of Norris, built to house workers on the dam, was a planned community that became a model for others throughout the nation. It was sold to private owners in 1948. The water level in Norris Reservoir varies about 23 feet in a normal year.

There are 7 major lakes surrounding Knoxville. These are Cherokee, Douglas, Fort Loudoun, Melton Hill, Norris, Tellico and Watts Bar Lakes.

Melton Hill Lake is the smallest. This lake fluctuates day-to-day. It maintains water level consistently throughout the year.

Norris, Douglas and Cherokee Lakes are reservoir lakes. The water level varies the most on these lakes. Fort Loudoun, Watts Bar and Tellico vary 4 to 7 feet. These six lakes are lowered in the winter months, generally from mid-November to mid-April. Most folks feel it s too cold to go out on the lake in those months. Personally, I feel year round view is important, not year round water. (It really is too cold on the water!) But that is just my opinion.

For more information on lake levels, visit the TVA website Reservoir Information. select the lake you are interested in and check the Operating Guides.