Douglas Reservoir

Douglas Reservoir offers a bounty of activities.

Set against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountain foothills, Douglas Reservoir is a popular recreation destination, known for picnicking, boating, camping, and fishing. Douglas and other TVA dams built during World War II made a historic contribution by providing hydropower to drive the war effort. The reservoir remains an integral unit in the overall water control system in the Tennessee Valley. Birdwatchers enjoy the fall migration of shore birds and other waterfowl that flock to Douglas from early July to early October. The birds rest and feed on the muddy shoreline and in areas of shallow water exposed as the level of the reservoir is lowered to winter flood control levels. Douglas Reservoir is located among the rolling uplands of the Great Valley of East Tennessee. Set against the backdrop of the lush, green Smoky Mountain foothills, Douglas attracts two million recreation visitors a year. Picnicking, camping, boating, and fishing are all popular activities at the reservoir. Douglas is rated in the top five Crappie fishing lakes in the nation, and in the top 10 Large Mouth Bass fishing lakes in the nation. Other good fishing includes: white bass, sauger, black crappie, striped bass, spotted bass, walleye, blue cat, flathead catfish, channel catfish, red horse, red breast sunfish, and bluegill. Most of the shoreline on Douglas Lake is privately owned.

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The TVA provides recreational facilities at Douglas Dam. Above the dam is a campground with hookups and showers, a picnic area, all seasons boat ramp, and swimming beach . Even though over a million plus visitors arrive annually, Douglas Lake still offers many secluded coves and hollows to enjoy, never giving you that overcrowded feeling. The best thing about Douglas Lake’s location is its close proximity to the action packed attractions of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, offering you two vacations in one! Douglas’ drainage basin of 4,541 square miles is the largest of the tributary reservoirs. The reservoir can fluctuate 60 feet from the summer elevation of 1000 feet above sea level to the winter elevation of 940 feet. It is not uncommon for the lake to rise as much as 15 to 20 feet in a day or two if heavy rains occur. However, summer levels can be relatively stable. Thermal stratification is common during the summer months. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations are common during the summer, making fishing tough until cooler fall weather arrives. Thermal stratification can begin forming as early as April, and can be firmly in place by June or July. At that time of the year, fishermen should focus on fishing the lower end of the lake and depths of less than 10-feet (below the thermocline). The French Broad River winds its way westward from the Appalachian Mountains, gaining considerable strength after absorbing the Pigeon River and the Nolichucky River near Newport before eventually joining with the Holston River at Knoxville to form the Tennessee River.

A Jet Skier enjoys a beautiful afternoon on Douglas Lake. Douglas Dam is located 32 miles above the mouth of the French Broad. The reservoir includes parts of Sevier, Jefferson, Hamblen and Cocke counties. Road access is available by Tennessee State Highway 338 which crosses just downstream of the dam. Interstate 40 (Exit 407) passes a few miles to the north. The Tennessee portion of the French Broad was designated a state scenic river by the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Approximately 33 river miles in Cocke County, starting at the North Carolina border to the confluence with Douglas Lake, are designated as Class III, Partially Developed. Anglers unfamiliar with the lake should find excellent fishing in the Flat, Muddy, McGuire, and Nina Creek embayments.

A scenic view overlooking Douglas Dam, during the summer months.