Tennessee Valley Authority
Recreation
Millions of people enjoy recreational activities on TVA reservoirs each year. The reservoirs and the 290,000 acres of land surrounding them offer nearly limitless opportunities for fun-filled activities, including water skiing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, hiking, nature photography, picnicking, birdwatching, and camping.
TVA Reservoir Map
Our interactive map of TVA facilities gives the location of all TVA reservoirs and links to general information on each, including descriptions of recreation opportunities and conditions.
Camping and Recreation Areas
TVA operates some 100 public recreation areas throughout the Tennessee Valley, including campgrounds, day-use areas, and boat launching ramps. Get information here about campground fees and amenities as well as picnic pavilion reservations.
Recreation Release Schedules
Go fishing or experience the excitement of canoeing, kayaking, or rafting on the many stretches of river below TVA dams.
The Ocoee River Gorge
The Ocoee River has both an Olympic whitewater course and a four-and-a-half-mile rafting area. The area also offers lots of other recreational opportunities, including swimming, boating, and picknicking.
Reservoir Information
A handy resource for fishermen and boaters, these pages track water levels on an hourly basis in TVA reservoirs across the Tennessee Valley, give water release schedules at the dams, and more.
Reservoir Ratings
TVA operates one of the most comprehensive river-system monitoring programs in the United States. Get information about water quality on TVA reservoirs, including advisories on swimming at various recreation areas and eating fish caught in the reservoirs.
Sport Fishing Ratings
To help anglers decide where they have the best chance of catching their favorite types of fish, TVA and state fisheries agencies rate fishing quality for different species in the TVA reservoirs.
Spring Sportfish Survey
TVA conducts an annual survey to determine the number, age, and general health of black bass in reservoirs throughout the Tennessee Valley. Read about the survey and check the results for individual reservoirs. See 2008 Sportfish Survey Schedule
Clean Marinas and Clean Boating
Boating is one of the most popular recreational uses of TVA reservoirs. TVA's Clean Marina Initiative certifies marinas that are in compliance with pollution-control standards. And the national Clean Boating Campaign helps educate boating enthusiasts and marina operators in practices that reduce pollution and erosion on the waterways. Find out more here.
Metal Detecting
Metal detecting as a recreational activity is allowed on certain TVA fee-owned lands. All metal detecting activities require a TVA issued permit. Get the complete guidelines and download a permit application here.
