Karen and I live one mile by water lakeside of the Chickamauga Dam. We drive over the dam frequently, but never take the time to check out the Tennessee River Park. On a sparkling day in February, we visited Chickamauga Dam’s riverside.
From the dam, the Tennessee River Park covers about 12 miles connecting open spaces and public attractions before ending in Downtown Chattanooga. The paved walkway along the Tennessee River’s south bank accommodates walkers, runners and bicyclists.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Chickamauga Dam on September 2, 1940. The dam is 129-feet wide, spans 5,800 feet and holds back Chickamauga Lake’s 36,000 acres of surface water.
A new 110-foot by 600-foot lock is under construction to replace the original 60-foot by 360-foot structure. The lock lifts boats and barges traveling upriver about 50 feet.
Chickamauga Dam houses four hydroelectric generators that can put out 129,000 kilowatts. That’s enough energy to power 75,000 homes. Fishing in the dangerous currents below the dam is popular. Swimming is out of the question.
Birds, people and construction watching from here is superb.
Blue Herons fish patiently along the water’s edge.
The original railroad bridge paralleling the dam was completed in 1888 providing the Cincinnati Southern line the first major north-south passenger route to Chattanooga. A Cincinnati newspaper dubbed the first train, “The Chattanooga Choo Choo.” The white pier in the center of the span is an original from 1888. The bridge was rebuilt in 1980 and has become a favorite nesting spot for rare peregrine falcons. We ended our visit with a leisurely stroll along the river. It was a dam fine day well spent.