Lake Norris in East Tennessee North of Knoxville, TN
Norris Lake is a 34,000 acre fully recreational lake. It is well known throughout the land as one of TVA's most scenic lakes. With an abundance of state parks and wildlife management areas throughout Norris Lake outdoor activities are overflowing. Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, sailing, skiing, ATV parks, horseback riding, canoeing, biking, campsites, RV sites, swimming, and museums.
The Norris Lake Basin was inhabited dating back to as much as 8000-1000 B.C. and was settled by the Cherokee Indians in the 1600's. After German settler Henry Sharp and John Loy came to the area they developed its rich history by mining for ore to make tools and household items. The museums are filled with artifacts from their era.
In the 1930's the TVA began pressing the government to dam the lake and harness its waters for hydroelectric power. Nebraska Senator George Norris finally broke through to the government and had TVA build its very first dam from 1933-1936. At over 1860 ft in length and 256 ft in height, it now services the surrounding area with its massive waters. The TVA reserved most of its newly born shorelines for the public by way of Wildlife Management Areas, Public Marinas, and State Parks. The TVA has 75-80% of its shoreline reserved and deemed not dockable to preserve its natural beauty. This leaves only 20 to 25% of it to be used as residential and dock permissable!
