The Dale Hollow Reservoir is an artificial lake situated middleways along the Kentucky/Tennessee border. This is also the site of Dale Hollow Lake State Park on the north (Kentucky) side, with lodge, 18-hole golf course, and other amenities.

Dale Hollow Reservoir lies mainly in northern Tennessee, where it covers portions of Clay, Pickett, Overton and Fentress Counties. Small arms of the lake also extend north into the Kentucky counties of Cumberland and Clinton. The project consists of 27,700 acres (112 km²) of water and 24,842 acres (101 km²) of surrounding land. The lake is formed by the damming of the Obey River, 7.3 miles (12 km) above its juncture with the Cumberland River at river mile 380. Portions of the lake also cover the Wolf River.

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Harbor Act of 1946. The project was completed for flood control in 1943. Hydroelectric power generating units were added in 1948, 1949 and 1953. The project was designed by the Corps of Engineers and built under their supervision by private contractors. The dam, powerplant and reservoir are currently operated by the Nashville District of the Corps.

The hydroelectric generators of Dale Hollow Dam are used to supply power to the surrounding countryside. The lake is also used recreationally. Water sports are moderately popular, especially water skiing. The main recreational use is fishing. Dale Hollow is well known as a prime location for smallmouth bass fishing, but it also contains other species such as largemouth bass, crappie, muskie, gar, and trout.

The lake takes its name from William Dale, a government surveyor and veteran of the War of 1812. Settling originally in Willow Grove, Mr. Dale bought his first 449 acres (1.8 km²) of land nearby in 1808. The farm eventually grew into a plantation known as Dale Hollow; he and his descendants lived there until the dam was started in 1942. The waters of the lake would ultimately cover both the farm and Willow Grove, “the town that drowned”.

External links

• Kentucky state park official site

Kentucky state parks | Lakes of Kentucky | Lakes of Tennessee