When you think of Tennessee, you might think of Bluegrass music, or maybe you think of Rock n' Roll - after all, the state is famous for musicians such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and of course, Elvis Presley himself. Besides world class cities, Tennessee offers amazing natural vistas, with the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains, other ranges; in addition, it is home to quarries and lakes that offer excellent diving. Let's take a look at just three favorite Tennessee Lake Dives.
Norris Lake - Tennessee Dive Sites
Located north of Knoxville, Norris Lake is surrounded by marinas that offer party boat, pontoon, jet ski, and fishing boat rentals; plus, there are campgrounds and other lodging in the area. Underwater, there are two ghost forests in the Loyston Point area; maximum depth is 120 feet, and the treetops can be reached at a depth of about 80 feet. Visibility is usually between 10 and 15 feet, and the lake is open for diving 24 hours a day. While there are no air fills on site, you can get air at Ski Scuba in Knoxville, plus you can get rental gear and buy anything you might have forgotten at home.
Cherokee Lake - Tennessee Dive Sites
Situated northeast of Knoxville, Cherokee Lake is bounded by the beautiful Clinch Mountain Range; if you head to the summit of Clinch Mountain on Highway 25E, you'll be able to see the shimmering blue lake spread out before you. Once underwater, you'll find yourself face to face with lots of freshwater fish, including bluegill, crappie, bass, and more; even though visibility is usually just 5-10 feet, there's actually quite a bit to see. Near the dam, you'll find a pair of sunken boats, plus a sunken riding mower that makes a great prop for photos. In addition, you can pause at a monument dedicated to a diver who drowned here many years ago.
Amenities include camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and much more; Cherokee Lake is a great place for everyone, including non-divers. There are no airfills on site, but the lake is open for diving 24 hours a day.
South Holston Lake - Tennessee Dive Sites
Located near the cities of Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia, as well as the city of Abingdon, Virginia, South Holston Lake is a 7,580 acre impoundment operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. While fishing is allowed in most places on the lake, most anglers head to the Virginia portion of the lake where the fishing is better. Completed in 1950, the dam that created this lake provides hydroelectric power and important flood control, plus it offers outdoors enthusiasts of every stripe the opportunity to enjoy this fantastic lake.
Underwater, you'll enjoy the company of all kinds of freshwater fish, including black bass and bluegill, sunfish, catfish, walleye, crappies, alewives, shiners, gizzard shad, and more. Shale banks, rocky bluffs, and flat clay points provide varied habitat, plus there are submerged islands to visit, along with channels that tell the story of the lake's origins.
Maximum depth is 130 feet, and visibility is usually around 10 feet. Air fills are available in Bristol, and there are lots of amenities at different points around the lake. A destination for all, it hosts fireworks, boat races, and fishing tournaments.
As all three of these lakes are popular for fishing and boating you will want to be cautious of overhead traffic and carry a good knife to clear up any tangled fishing line you find; diving with a flag is mandatory in most areas, and both boat and shore dives are possible. For great diving and some of the best food and entertainment in the United States, look no further than the great state of Tennessee.