Wilson Dam Lake

Wilson Dam Lake

Wilson Dam Lake was created from the damming of the Tennessee River by the construction of the Wilson Dam. The lake's normal elevation is 505 feet. The average depth is 97 feet. The distance of the backwater upstream is 17 miles and the area of the surface is 14,500 acres. Much of the flooded l...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Carrie Keener, University of North Alabama
Format: Electronic
Published: Auburn University Libraries
Subjects:
Cultural resources
Online Access:https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/items/show/1585
format Electronic
collection Alabama Cultural Resource Survey Collection
building Auburn University
publisher Auburn University Libraries
topic Cultural resources
spellingShingle Cultural resources
Wilson Dam Lake
Carrie Keener, University of North Alabama
fulltopic Cultural resources
Colbert, County; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Florence, Alabama; Fishing; Wilson Dam
description Wilson Dam Lake was created from the damming of the Tennessee River by the construction of the Wilson Dam. The lake's normal elevation is 505 feet. The average depth is 97 feet. The distance of the backwater upstream is 17 miles and the area of the surface is 14,500 acres. Much of the flooded land was once farmland used in the Shoals. On the southern edge of the lake there is a leak of water and overflow water flows out into the Tennessee River.<br /><br />There are many myths surrounding the area around the dam and lake, most involving the native catfish. The lake is popular for fishing and the size of the fish are often exagerated in reports. Blue catfish often range from 50-80 pounds, but can be as large as 100 pounds.<br /><br />The lake was flooded by the TVA, the ones in control of Wilson Dam and the Tennessee River. By building a dam in the area the TVA was able to power the surrounding cities. Another benefit to building the dam and creating the lake was by powering the nitrate plants in Muscle Shoals. These plants provided much needed fertilizer for eroded farmland.
spelling Wilson Dam LakeCarrie Keener, University of North AlabamaColbert, County; Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Florence, Alabama; Fishing; Wilson DamWilson Dam Lake was created from the damming of the Tennessee River by the construction of the Wilson Dam. The lake's normal elevation is 505 feet. The average depth is 97 feet. The distance of the backwater upstream is 17 miles and the area of the surface is 14,500 acres. Much of the flooded land was once farmland used in the Shoals. On the southern edge of the lake there is a leak of water and overflow water flows out into the Tennessee River.<br /><br />There are many myths surrounding the area around the dam and lake, most involving the native catfish. The lake is popular for fishing and the size of the fish are often exagerated in reports. Blue catfish often range from 50-80 pounds, but can be as large as 100 pounds.<br /><br />The lake was flooded by the TVA, the ones in control of Wilson Dam and the Tennessee River. By building a dam in the area the TVA was able to power the surrounding cities. Another benefit to building the dam and creating the lake was by powering the nitrate plants in Muscle Shoals. These plants provided much needed fertilizer for eroded farmland.Alabama Cultural Resource SurveyNovember 30, 2015imagehttps://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/items/show/1585Sherer, Dennis. "Myths, Legends Surround Historic Wilson Dam." TimesDaily. June 19, 2010. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.timesdaily.com/archives/myths-legends-surround-historic-wilson-dam/article_90620d82-e607-5aef-a483-b42a0fe94a40.html.<br /><span class="selectable">'Destination Shoals'. 2011. Florence. Florence City. UNA Special Archives.</span><br /><br />
title Wilson Dam Lake
titleStr Wilson Dam Lake
author Carrie Keener, University of North Alabama
author_facet Carrie Keener, University of North Alabama
id AUcultural1585
url https://omeka.lib.auburn.edu/items/show/1585
_version_ 1788802435113811968

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