Tennessee's Percy Priest Lake

When you think of Nashville, Tennessee the nickname "Music City" is probably what first comes to mind. Well, that's starting to change.

"A lot of people don't think of water and boats when they think of Nashville," says Chuck Konesky of West Marine in nearby Hermitage, Tennessee. "And when they visit Percy Priest Lake, just ten miles from town, they say they had no idea it was so close."

The lake came into being forty years ago when the Army Corps of Engineers built a dam across the Stones River. It was constructed with three purposes: (1) to control flooding (2) to produce hydroelectric power and (3) it was one of the first reservoirs created in the United States to provide recreation. Still maintained by the Army Corps, the lake has served its purposes well over time.

"You can stand in the observation area at Percy Priest Lake Dam and see how large this lake really is," notes Konesky, who races sailboats on Percy Priest when he isn't doing the same on nearby Old Hickory Lake (located northeast of Nashville and just four miles from Percy Priest). "And," he adds, "when you look, you'll usually see boats."

That's because there are five marinas spread throughout the 42-mile length of the lake, 17 recreation areas and 33 boat ramps. More than seven million visitors come to Percy Priest every year. But while the lake and reservoir may be most noted for its contribution to Tennessee's recreation, flood control and hydroelectric power are very much an integral part of boating in these waters too.

Every autumn, the four spillways of the dam are opened for a short period of time to drop the lake level eight feet in order to accommodate seasonal rain and snow runoff. In April, the water level is brought back to its summer level of 490 feet. While the winter rains and snow runoff have increased this year, the three-year old drought affecting so much of the South continues to be a factor for Percy Priest boaters.

"We encourage newcomers to the lake to have a chart," notes Park Ranger Mark Vaughan. "We've been affected by the lack of rain and while the lake is only a little bit lower than it should be, its rocky bottom is unforgiving to a prop. And, we've had a number of incidents like that. The best advice is if you're in the 'upper end' of Percy Priest where the water is narrower and shallower, stay in the channels, and if you go outside of the buoys, do it slowly." Waterproof charts of both Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lake are available from West Marine in Hermitage.

Shallow areas are well marked near each of the five marinas with three white buoys displaying an orange diamond shape on the side. Generally speaking, locations around the lake are described as being in the "lower" (near the dam), "middle" (near the Hobson Pike Bridge) and "upper" (the southeast portion of the lake beyond Fate Sanders Marina).

Boaters will see prominently displayed metal signs on the dam whenever the gates are opened and scheduled openings are posted on the Army Corps of Engineers website (www.lrn.usace.army.mil/op/jpp/rec.) Boaters are strongly enocouraged to take the time and look for the signs when venturing anywhere near the dam.

This is a lake with many protected bays and small creeks. As a result, one of the most common activities on the water is doing nothing more than sitting in a boat at anchor and floating. Because there are campgrounds scattered on all sides of Percy Priest, many bring a boat in tow behind the camper/RV and launch from one of the nearby boat ramps. In fact, many will combine camping and boating by going to one of the lake's islands. Angler Billy Harris is one of them. "This lake has great island camping," he says. "I always tell people to 'pick an island and then pitch a tent.'" While all of the 24 islands on the lake are accessible, about half have established primitive campsites (no permit is needed but it's a first-come, first-served basis).

Among the islands worth visiting is "Hole in the Wall," located just below the Hobson Pike Bridge. "Hole in the Wall" is actually two forested rock cliffs with what was once a road that ran between (the road was in operation prior to the area being flooded in 1968). Even though the road is under three feet of water, it remains a popular destination. Boaters will anchor offshore, have a picnic lunch ashore, swim and, of course, take a walk along the "road."

Along the eastern side of one of the islands are 35-40 ft high cliffs which have proven, time and time again, too much of a temptation for a few people. Cannonball dives and belly flops have resulted in numerous injuries and, in some cases, paralysis when landing in shallow areas beneath the cliffs. It is illegal to dive into the water but, sometimes fueled with too much alcohol, it is done anyway. Park rangers will make an arrest if they witness anyone engaging in this reckless behavior.

Families look to Nashville Shores if the weather isn't suitable for boating. This water park is next to the dam and offers seven water slides, three swimming pools, boat rentals, a huge area for sand castle building, a beach and, of course, lots of food. Nashville Shores is host to the lake's "Shores and Stripes" 4th of July celebration where thousands of boaters watch the fireworks from the water. One of the five marinas on Percy Priest Lake is located next to Nashville Shores. Opposite the dam is Elm Hill Marina. Both have boat ramps.

Percy Priest Lake is the venue for numerous national fishing tournaments, some beginning as early as February. The lake is well known for record-setting smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, bream and stripers. Both Bassmasters and FLW host tournaments at the lake with anglers launching from the Fate Sanders Marina boat ramp.

"I always launch at Fate Sanders," says bass fishing guide Billy Harris. "It's about mid-lake, and the marina has the popular baits that locals use. And, of course, the marina makes a great burger!"

Night fishing is a common activity on the lake. Another fishing technique that is popular here is "jug fishing" where about 6 feet of line with a baited hook or lure is tied to a plastic liter bottle. Once in the water the bottle floats and when a fish strikes, the angler (hopefully nearby) is quick enough to grab the fast-moving bottle as it is pulled across or under the water. NOTE: Every jug in use must have the owners name and address on it and BoatU.S. strongly urges anyone using this method to remove every jug from the water so as not to litter the shoreline. In 2007, lake records were broken for blue and flathead catfish. A 57 pound flathead was caught as well as a 72 pound blue catfish. The flathead was landed by jug fishing.

Nashville's "Music Row" is a half hour from the lake. It spans 16th, 17th and 18th Avenues South between Division and Wedgewood Streets. You'll find guitar stores, recording studios (RCA Studio B where Elvis recorded more than 200 songs is here), clubs with live bands and plenty of restaurants. The Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry until 1974, continues to be a venue for music shows and is located downtown. The Opryland Complex is now east of Nashville (and just north of Percy Priest Lake) with not only concerts by the top country stars, but amusement park rides, gift shops and restaurants.

President Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage, built in 1835 is also nearby. Occupying 1,000 acres, the former cotton farm includes a mansion that became a refuge from public life for the seventh U.S. president after he left the White House. The Hermitage is open for tours. Due to the popularity of the estate, the surrounding town was named after it.

Smyrna, Tennessee is close to the lake as well (it's at the lower end near Stewart Creek on Highway 41). Here, Nissan North America builds the Xterra and Pathfinder SUV's and the Frontier pickup truck.

Music remains the number one reason people travel to Nashville. But more and more, people are coming to town with a boat.

"You can be out on the lake and it's hard to believe you're ten miles from Nashville," says Park Ranger and Conservation Biologist Mark Vaughan. "There's little development and depending on the time of day or the time of year, it's quiet. In the fall it's fun just to sit in a boat looking at the leaves turning colors."

J. Percy Priest Lake Fast Facts:

• Named after eight-term Tennessee Congressman James Percy Priest.
• Construction of the dam across the Stones River began in 1963 and was completed in 1968. The dam is 2,716 feet long.
• Average depth is 28.7 feet though it is 100 feet at the deepest part of the lake.
• The lake is 42 miles long with 213 miles of shoreline and 24 islands.
• There are 33 boat ramps with a total of 44 lanes around the lake.
• They Lived Near Percy Priest Lake:
  -Reese Witherspoon (Born in Nashville) "Legally Blonde" "Walk the Line"
  -Lisa Marie Presley (Born in Nashville)
  -Annie Potts (born in Nashville) "Ghostbusters" "Designing Women"
  -Danny Young (Born in Smyrna) Chicago Cubs

Army Corps of Engineers J. Percy Priest web site: www.lrn.usace.army.mil/op/jpp/rec
J. Percy Priest Fishing Information: 615-883-2351
Fishing Guide and Percy Priest Expert: Billy Harris www.billyharrisbasspro.com
Nashville Shores: www.nashvilleshores.com
West Marine, Hermitage, Tennessee 615-232-8911

40 years Ago
Percy Priest Lake is 40 years old on June 29 this year. While the anniversary won't be marked by any formal event, the J. Percy Priest Dam Visitors Center will have newspaper clippings from the dedication. President Lyndon Johnson made the completion of the five-year project official by appearing and dedicating the Stewarts Ferry Reservoir, the original name for the site which was changed to Percy Priest a few years later. This event took place a little more than two months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis and this was one of the first trips made by Johnson outside the White House. Security was extremely heavy that day, but the dedication came off with no trouble whatsoever.