Norris Lake

Norris Lake is a reservoir in Tennessee covering roughly 34200 acres with approximately 800 miles of winding shoreline. The water offers space for boating, swimming and fishing during the warm months.

The Tennessee Valley Authority built Norris Dam on the Clinch River in 1936 to control floods and generate electricity. It was the first major project of the agency after its creation a few years earlier.

The reservoir takes its name from Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska, who wrote the law creating the Tennessee Valley Authority during the 1930s. Today families gather along its banks for picnics while anglers set out early in the morning to fish for bass and walleye.

Several boat launches and marinas lie along the shoreline and provide access to the water for personal or rental craft. Campgrounds sit near the shore and allow overnight stays close to the lake.

The water reaches depths of 210 feet (64 meters) in some spots and stays cool even during midsummer. Two turbines inside the dam generate electricity for surrounding communities.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 36.30353,-83.88252

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23