{{Short description|Reservoir of the Cumberland River in Tennessee, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Old Hickory Lake | image = OldHickoryLockandDam.jpg | caption = [[Old Hickory Lock and Dam]] | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] / [[Sumner County, Tennessee|Sumner]] / [[Wilson County, Tennessee|Wilson]] / [[Trousdale County, Tennessee|Trousdale]] / [[Smith County, Tennessee|Smith]] counties, [[Tennessee]] | coords = {{coord|36|19|N|86|29|W |region:US-TN_type:waterbody_scale:200000 |display=inline,title}} | lake_type = [[reservoir]] | inflow = [[Cumberland River]] | outflow = [[Cumberland River]] | catchment = | basin_countries = [[United States]] | length = {{convert|97.3|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} | width = | area = {{convert|22500|acre|km2|0|abbr=on}} | depth = | max-depth = | volume = | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{convert|445|ft|abbr=on}} | islands = | cities = <!-- Map --> | pushpin_map = Tennessee#USA | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee, USA. | pushpin_map_caption = <!-- Below --> | website = | reference = }} {{GeoGroup}} '''Old Hickory Lake''' is a [[reservoir]] in north central [[Tennessee]]. It is formed by the [[Old Hickory Lock and Dam]] ({{coord|36|17|48|N|86|39|20|W |region:US-TN_type:landmark |name=Old Hickory Lock and Dam}}), located on the [[Cumberland River]] at mile&nbsp;216.2 in [[Sumner County, Tennessee|Sumner]] and [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] counties, approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|0}} upstream from [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]].

The city of [[Hendersonville, Tennessee|Hendersonville]] is situated on the northern shoreline of the lake, and [[Old Hickory, Tennessee|Old Hickory]], a portion of Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County, is located on the southern side of the lake, just upstream of the lock and dam. The lake extends {{convert|97.3|mi|km|1}} upstream to [[Cordell Hull Lake|Cordell Hull Lock and Dam]] ({{coord|36|17|25|N|85|56|36|W |region:US-TN_type:landmark |name=Cordell Hull Lock and Dam}}), near [[Carthage, Tennessee]]. The dam and lake are named after [[President of the United States|President]] [[Andrew Jackson]] (nicknamed "Old Hickory"), who lived in the vicinity, at [[The Hermitage (Tennessee)|The Hermitage]].

The lock, dam, powerhouse and lake are operated and supervised by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff under the direction of the District Engineer at Nashville. Construction started in January&nbsp;1952, and dam closure was completed in June&nbsp;1954.

Historic [[Rock Castle (Hendersonville, Tennessee)|Rock Castle]], completed in 1796, is the former home of pioneer Daniel Smith. He is known for his contributions in settling Hendersonville in the early nineteenth century. The lake now borders this property.

Old Hickory Lake is a mainstream storage impoundment on the Cumberland River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The reservoir covers {{convert|22500|acre|km2|0}} at an elevation of {{convert|445|feet}} (above sea level) and extends {{convert|97.3|mi}} (river miles). Water level fluctuations are minimal with minimum pool elevation at {{convert|442|ft}}. Public facilities include eight [[marina]]s, two Corps-operated [[campground]]s, and 41&nbsp;boat access sites, as well as the Environmental Study Area.

==Environmental Study Area== The Environmental Study Area (ESA) at Old Hickory Lake contains a {{convert|23|acre}} [[arboretum]] and environmental study area which is located off of Walton Ferry Rd.<ref name="EWC">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-examiner-enjoying-wildlifes-cl/190488530/|title=Enjoying Wildlife's Classroom. Protected Land Next to Lake Perfect for Studying Critters|first=Esan|last= Swan|work=The News-Examiner|date= November 5, 2014|page=A4}}</ref> The arboretum contains over 60 [[species]] of shrubs and trees. It was created and is maintained by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]], who manage the lake area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swan |first=Esan |title=Protected lakefront land allows for study of wildlife |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/hendersonville/2014/10/27/protected-lakefront-land-allows-study-wildlife/18028701/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref> The ESA is used to educate the public about the environment of the lake,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-escape-to-a-lake-old-hic/190489004/|title=Escape to a Lake: Old Hickory|first=Cathy|last=Straight|work=[[The Tennessean]]|date=July 5, 1991|pages= D12, D13}}</ref> and is visited by school groups for environmental studies.<ref name="EWC"/> [[File:Fishing - Flickr - deldevries.jpg|center|thumb|Foggy morning at Shutes Branch]]

==References== {{reflist}} {{USACE.Army.Mil|sourceURL=http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/op/OLD/rec/project.htm}}

==External links== {{Commons}} * [https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/projects.cfm?ID=H313280 Official website] * [https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/390 Recreation.gov: Old Hickory Lake Camping Information]

{{Lakes of Tennessee}} {{authority control}}

[[Category:Reservoirs in Tennessee]] [[Category:Protected areas of Davidson County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Protected areas of Smith County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Protected areas of Sumner County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Protected areas of Trousdale County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Protected areas of Wilson County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Bodies of water of Davidson County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Bodies of water of Smith County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Bodies of water of Sumner County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Bodies of water of Trousdale County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Bodies of water of Wilson County, Tennessee]] [[Category:1954 establishments in Tennessee]] [[Category:Cumberland River]]