Bay Springs Lake, body of water
Bay Springs Lake is a large reservoir in Tishomingo County in northeast Mississippi created by the Jamie Whitten Lock and Dam. The lake stretches about 9 miles long and serves as part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, with wooded shorelines and calm waters suitable for boating and fishing.
The area has a long industrial past dating to 1862 when the Bay Springs Union factory operated sawmills, gristmills, and textile operations before being destroyed by fire in 1885. The region also held significance for Native Americans, as evidenced by ancient rock shelters used for thousands of years.
The name Bay Springs refers to the natural springs that feed the water in the region. Visitors come here to experience a quiet setting where water and woodland create a place for outdoor activities and reflection.
The lake is easily reached from the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 293.4 by heading north for less than half a mile. Visitor facilities include a center with information, campgrounds, and parks with boating access, fishing areas, and hiking trails nearby.
Ancient rock shelters used by Native Americans for thousands of years remain visible in the area today. These archaeological sites reveal the deep human history of the place long before the modern reservoir was created.
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