Kentucky Lake is the largest manmade lake in the eastern United States. The 8,422 foot long dam backs up the Tennessee River for 184 miles and creates a lake that stretches south across the western tip of Kentucky and nearly the entire width of Tennessee. At maximum normal operating level, Kentucky Lake covers 160,300 acres. Kentucky Dam is the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (“TVA”) longest dam.
TVA started construction on Kentucky Dam July 1, 1938. 5,000 workers took 6 years to complete the dam. TVA began filling the reservoir on August 30, 1944. The project cost about $118 million.
Located along Kentucky Lake’s nearly 2,400 miles of beautiful shoreline are many boat docks and resorts, 4 state parks, the Tennessee National Wildlife refuge, 48 public access areas, 2 county parks, 5 municipal parks, 2 state wildlife management areas, 10 group camps and clubs, 92 commercial recreation areas, and 3 small wildlife areas.
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