{{short description|Artificial reservoir in Tennessee, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Cherokee Lake | other_name = Cherokee Reservoir | image = Cherokee Reservoir - German Creek - Bean Station, TN.jpg | caption = Cherokee Lake near Bean Station, with the Clinch Mountain range in the background | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Grainger / Hamblen / Jefferson / Hawkins counties, Tennessee, United States | coords = {{coord|36.2149|-83.4350|type:waterbody_region:US-TN|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1280322|Cherokee Lake}}</ref> | type = Reservoir | inflow = Holston River | outflow = Holston River | catchment = | agency = Tennessee Valley Authority | basin_countries = United States | length = | width = | area = {{convert|28780|acre|abbr=on}} | depth = {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} | max-depth = | volume = {{convert|749400|acre-ft|abbr=on}} | residence_time = | shore = {{convert|400|mi|abbr=on}} | elevation = {{convert|319|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=gnis/> | islands = | sections = | cities = Bean Station, Morristown, Jefferson City, Rogersville | frozen = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = Tennessee#USA | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Cherokee Lake in Tennessee, USA. | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = {{url|https://www.tva.com/energy/our-power-system/hydroelectric/Cherokee}} | reference = }} '''Cherokee Lake''', also known as '''Cherokee Reservoir''', is an artificial reservoir in the U.S. state of Tennessee formed by the impoundment of the Holston River behind Cherokee Dam.<ref name="trv">{{cite web |title=TVA Cherokee Dam and Reservoir |url=https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/tva-cherokee-dam-and-reservoir/77191136-c092-4b5e-aa66-68127461faa9 |website=Tennessee River Valley |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=September 14, 2020}}</ref>

==Hydrology== The reservoir has a surface area of about {{convert|28780|acre|ha}}, a flood-storage capacity of {{convert|749406|acre.ft}}, and nearly {{convert|400|mi|km}} of shoreline.<ref name=TVAfactsheet>[http://www.tva.gov/sites/cherokee.htm Cherokee Reservoir] factsheet, Tennessee Valley Authority</ref> In a normal year, the lake water level fluctuates over a range of about {{convert|27|ft|m}}.<ref name=TVAfactsheet/>

In order to maintain dissolved oxygen concentrations in the river below the dam at levels that will support aquatic life, perforated hoses suspended above the bottom of Cherokee Reservoir are used to inject oxygen into the reservoir water and devices which resemble large underwater fans located just above the dam are used to push warm oxygenated water downward to the depths where water is released for hydroelectric generation.<ref name=TVAfactsheet/><ref>[http://www.tva.gov/environment/water/rri_triblist.htm#cherokee Water Quality Improvements at Tributary Dams: Cherokee Dam] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005184726/http://www.tva.gov/environment/water/rri_triblist.htm#cherokee |date=October 5, 2008 }}, Tennessee Valley Authority</ref>

==Geology== Silt loam, slate, and red clay are commonly found in the basin and surrounding shoreline of Cherokee Lake.<ref name="soil-nrcs">{{cite web |title=Soil Survey of Grainger County, Tennessee |url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/tennessee/TN057/0/tn_grainger.pdf |website=Natural Resources Conservation Service |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923194257/https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/tennessee/TN057/0/tn_grainger.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Natural history== Black bass, sauger, walleye, crappie, various sunfish, and the usual rough-fish species, are often found in the reservoir.<ref name="TVA"/>

==History== From 1940 to 1942, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began purchasing property and performing acquisitions by eminent domain in the communities of Jefferson City in Jefferson County, and Bean Station in Grainger County, for the construction of Cherokee Dam and the impounding of the Holston River for Cherokee Lake. Many residents, at first in refusal, would reluctantly give up their farms and homes for the promise of flood control and electricity offered by the TVA.<ref name="guidebook">{{cite book |last1=Gass |first1=Linda |author-link=Linda Gass |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PoHhBAAAQBAJ |title=Jefferson City |last2=Lang |first2=Albert |date=2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9781467112604 |language=en |format=Paperback}}</ref> For Bean Station, the Cherokee Project included wiping out the site where the town was originally settled. Of the 195 to 200 families who lived at the original site of Bean Station, 140 were mandated to move by the TVA.<ref name="Tennessee Valley Authority 1946 32 249">{{Cite book|last=Tennessee Valley Authority|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MlbVAAAAMAAJ|title=The Cherokee Project: A Comprehensive Report on the Planning, Design, Construction, and Initial Operations of the Cherokee Project|publisher=United States Government Printing Office|year=1946|location=Washington D.C.|pages=32, 249}}</ref> Because of the historical significance, size and potential relocation problems presented with Bean Station, officials from the TVA, the Tennessee state government, and concerned community members gathered to discuss the future of the town and its relocation efforts in 1941. A planning commission from the state government and TVA personnel developed plans for sites for Bean Station to relocate to as a community. After controversy arose from negotiations from unwilling property owners, and reluctance from citizens to relocate as a town, the planned community relocation project was abandoned, having Bean Stationers relocating on their own will.<ref name="Tennessee Valley Authority 1946 32 249"/>

The reservoir was would be filled after the construction of Cherokee Dam near Grainger-Jefferson border in 1942.<ref name="Tennessee Valley Authority 1946 32 249"/> The dam, operated by the TVA, is used for hydroelectric generation and flood control. The dam was built on a crash schedule; construction started August 1, 1940, and was completed on December 5, 1941.<ref name=TVAfactsheet/>

The dam and the reservoir were named after the Native American tribe of the same name by the TVA, as before the Holston's impoundment, the area was once inhabited by the tribe. The Great Indian Warpath, once used by pioneer Daniel Boone, lies in the basin of the reservoir.<ref name="TVA">{{cite web |title=Cherokee |url=https://www.tva.com/energy/our-power-system/hydroelectric/cherokee |website=Tennessee Valley Authority |access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>

==Economy== [[File:GCbridgeandmarina.jpg|thumb|Marina located adjacent to German Creek Bridge on the lake near Bean Station.]] Cherokee Lake in recent times has seen a large transition into a popular recreational tourist destination.<ref name="visitknox">{{cite web |title=Cherokee Lake |url=https://www.visitknoxville.com/listings/cherokee-lake/1027/ |website=Visit Knoxville |publisher=City of Knoxville |access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name="trv"/> Public boating access areas, Panther Creek State Park and other public parks, commercial boat docks, lakefront resorts, RV and tent campgrounds, and a state wildlife management area on the shores of the lake attract extensive recreational use, such as swimming, boating, paddling activities (such as canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding), camping, water sports, and fishing.<ref name=TVAfactsheet/><ref name="visitknox"/> The lake is also home to a sailing club and regattas are hosted seasonally on its waters.<ref name="ninelakes"/>

Since the lake has a greater fish density than most reservoirs maintained by the TVA, it has become one of the most popular for anglers in the East Tennessee region.<ref name="ninelakes">{{cite web |title=Cherokee Lake in East Tennessee |url=https://www.easttnvacations.com/explore-the-area/cherokee-lake/ |website=9 Lakes of East Tennessee |access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> In 2019, Cherokee Lake was ranked #20 by Bassmaster of the top 25 bass fishing lakes in the Southeastern United States.<ref name="bassmaster">{{cite web |title=100 Best Bass Lakes 2019: Southeastern |url=https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/100-best-bass-lakes-southeastern-2019 |website=Bassmaster |date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, the reservoir was the location of the 2020 Bassmaster Eastern Open tournament.<ref name="easternopen">{{cite web |title=2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Cherokee Lake |url=https://www.bassmaster.com/tournaments/2020-bassprocom-bassmaster-eastern-open-cherokee-lake |website=Bassmaster |access-date=November 3, 2020}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130331021313/http://www.tnfish.org/ReservoirLakeMapsTennessee_TWRA/files/CherokeeReservoirMapTWRA.pdf TWRA Cherokee Reservoir Access Map] *[https://tva-azr-eastus-cdn-ep-tvawcm-prd.azureedge.net/cdn-tvawcma/docs/default-source/environment/lake-levels/recreation-schedules/cherokee-recreation-matrix.pdf?sfvrsn=51e2b21e_2 Cherokee Reservoir Recreation Areas (TVA)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128170038/https://tva-azr-eastus-cdn-ep-tvawcm-prd.azureedge.net/cdn-tvawcma/docs/default-source/environment/lake-levels/recreation-schedules/cherokee-recreation-matrix.pdf?sfvrsn=51e2b21e_2 |date=November 28, 2020 }} *[https://fishing-app.gpsnauticalcharts.com/i-boating-fishing-web-app/fishing-marine-charts-navigation.html?cherokee-reservoir-enc=1&en=1&depth-layer=1#11.82/36.2384/-83.3933 Cherokee Lake Depth Map for Boating & Fishing]

{{Lakes of Tennessee}}

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Category:Holston River Category:Protected areas of Grainger County, Tennessee Category:Protected areas of Hamblen County, Tennessee Category:Protected areas of Hawkins County, Tennessee Category:Protected areas of Jefferson County, Tennessee Category:Tennessee Valley Authority Category:Reservoirs in Tennessee Category:Bodies of water of Grainger County, Tennessee Category:Bodies of water of Hamblen County, Tennessee Category:Bodies of water of Hawkins County, Tennessee Category:Bodies of water of Jefferson County, Tennessee Category:1941 establishments in Tennessee Category:Tourist attractions in Hamblen County, Tennessee Category:Tourist attractions in Grainger County, Tennessee Category:Tourist attractions in Jefferson County, Tennessee Category:Tourist attractions in Hawkins County, Tennessee