Largest lakes & reservoirs in Tennessee by shoreline length
The length of the exterior shoreline around a lake is measured at the lake’s normal elevation. The shoreline length can be considerably shorter or longer when lake water levels are lower or higher than normal. A lake with many coves has a much longer shoreline than a lake of similar surface area that is nearly circular in shape.When known, the shoreline miles that we report in our statistics include only the lake’s exterior shoreline, and exclude the shorelines of islands located within a lake’s boundaries. In lakes with many islands, those islands’ combined shorelines may exceed a lake’s exterior shoreline.
You can find many of the world’s longest-shoreline lakes on LakeLubbers. Note: For some lakes, "Longest Shorelines" data is unknown or does not apply, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 33 articles we have published for Tennessee lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US South Region > Tennessee > Compared by longest shoreline length in miles. This list does not represent all lakes in Tennessee, only the 33 Tennessee lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name | Shoreline length in miles | Lake description |
---|---|---|
Fort Loudoun Lake, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
379 mi | Also known as Fort Loudoun Reservoir Named for a nearby 18th century British fort, Fort Loudoun Lake draws millions of visitors every year for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Loca … |
Tellico Reservoir, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
357 mi | Also known as Tellico Lake About 30 minutes south of Knoxville, nestled in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, Tellico Lake is the lake that almost wasn’t. Extending 33 miles al … |
Center Hill Lake, TN (Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
342 mi | Also known as Center Hill Reservoir Center Hill Lake is almost completely surrounded by the beautiful hardwood forested hills of the Tennessee Eastern Highlands. Center Hill Lake has 18, … |
Cheatham Lake, TN (Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
320 mi | Middle Tennessee is blessed with a wealth of recreational opportunities created by Cheatham Lake. The lake itself is more properly called a wide spot … |
Tims Ford Lake, TN (Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
241 mi | Also known as Tims Ford Reservoir Nestled in south central Tennessee between Tullahoma and Winchester, the clear, deep water of the Elk River meets the wooded sloped shores of Tims For … |
J. Percy Priest Lake, TN (Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
213 mi | Also known as J. Percy Priest Reservoir One of the most popular recreation sites in the Middle Tennessee region of J Percy Priest lake. Less than 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, the rese … |
Melton Hill Reservoir, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
193 mi | Also known as Melton Hill Lake Melton Hill Reservoir, also known as Melton Hill Lake, is an impoundment of the Clinch River. Located near Oak Ridge, TN, the reservoir extends 57 mil … |
Nickajack Lake, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
179 mi | Also known as Nickajack Reservoir Set against the spectacular scenery and steep walls of the Tennessee River Gorge, Nickajack Lake is the perfect place to relax on the water, fish, or … |
South Holston Lake, VA (Blue Ridge Highlands, VA, East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
160 mi | Also known as South Holston Reservoir An impoundment of the South Fork Holston River, South Holston Lake is an exceptional place to fish and boat. Straddling the Virginia and Tennessee sta … |
Boone Lake, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
131 mi | Also known as Boone Reservoir Boone Lake is one of a series of reservoirs lying among the hills in northeast Tennessee. Completed on March 16, 1953, Boone Lake was constructed, and … |
Great Falls Lake (Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
120 mi | Also known as Great Falls Reservoir, Rock Island Lake One of the best-kept secret destination lakes in the Middle Tennessee area is Great Falls Lake. The 1800-acre reservoir formed behind Great Falls Dam … |
Parksville Lake, TN (East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA) |
109 mi | Also known as Lake Ocoee, Ocoee Lake Parksville Lake, also known as Ocoee Reservoir, is one of three reservoirs in Polk County near Cleveland,TN. Together the reservoirs run through some … |