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Woods Reservoir, Tennessee, USA

Located on Arnold Air Force Base between Nashville and Chattanooga in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Woods Reservoir is a fantastic place to fish. Its unique surroundings make it a great place to explore. In 1951 President Truman dedicated the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). Named in honor of General “Hap” Arnold, “the Father of the Air Force,” AEDC was created to promote and support all aspects of flight. In…
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    • All About Woods Reservoir, TN

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Tennessee - Middle Tennessee -

    Located on Arnold Air Force Base between Nashville and Chattanooga in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Woods Reservoir is a fantastic place to fish. Its unique surroundings make it a great place to explore.

    In 1951 President Truman dedicated the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). Named in honor of General “Hap” Arnold, “the Father of the Air Force,” AEDC was created to promote and support all aspects of flight. In 1952 the United States Army Corps of Engineers built Elk Dam on the Elk River for the United States Air Force. The dam created Woods Reservoir to supply cooling water for AEDC and for drinking water and flood protection for the surrounding area.

    Woods Reservoir has minimal shoreline development and only one marina. It is completely surrounded by Arnold Air Force Base. The base is 40,000 acres, 30,000 of which are Wildlife Management Area including the almost 4,000 acre Woods Reservoir. Both the wildlife area and the reservoir are managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The TWRA stocks the reservoir with walleye and has rated it one of the top three crappie lakes in the state based on per-acre production. There are also good populations of large and small mouth bass, muskie and catfish although the public is warned not to eat the catfish because of increased levels of PCB’s.

    Water levels on the lake are relatively stable with a winter drawdown of about three feet, and the water clarity is highest in the summer and fall. Because of its location, Woods Reservoir is a quiet place to canoe or kayak especially around Elder Island. There is duck hunting around the reservoir both with and without blinds, but some areas have been designated as waterfowl refuge.

    In addition to being home for Woods Reservoir, Arnold Air Force Base is also home to the AEDC and the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Today the AEDC is the largest and most advanced complex of flight simulation test facilities in the world. AEDC includes wind tunnels, space chambers, and ballistic ranges allowing engineers to simulate flight conditions from sea level to 1,000 miles in altitude and velocities exceeding Mach 2. The AEDC has been instrumental in every US space flight and provides support for NASA. Entry to the facility is restricted but with advanced notice, tours can be arranged for groups of between 15 to 35 people. The University of Tennessee Space Institute on a peninsula surrounded by Woods Reservoir, has post graduate study in aerospace engineering and benefits from its proximity to AEDC.

    With its fascinating location, quiet water and fantastic fishing, Woods Reservoir is sure to become a favorite destination.

    Things to Do at Woods Reservoir

    These are some activities in the Woods Reservoir, TN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing

    What Kind of Fish Are in Woods Reservoir?

    Woods Reservoir has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Muskellunge
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Woods Reservoir

    If you’re considering a Woods Reservoir lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Woods Reservoir Vacation

    Our interactive Woods Reservoir lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Woods Reservoir Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: United States Air Force

    Surface Area: 3,980 acres

    Shoreline Length: 75 miles

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 960 feet

    Maximum Depth: 50 feet

    Water Volume: 77,915 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1952

    Lake Area-Population: 18,000

    Drainage Area: 263 sq. miles

    Woods Reservoir Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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