Chickamauga Lake is a reservoir in the United States along the Tennessee River created when the Chickamauga Dam, as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority, was completed in 1940. The lake stretches from Watts Bar Dam at mile 529.9 (853 km) to Chickamauga Dam at mile 471.0 (758 km) making the lake 58.9 miles (94.8 km) long. It borders Rhea County, Meigs County, and Hamilton County with 810 miles (1,303 km) of shoreline and two bridges crossing it at State Highway 60 and Highway 30. The lake is commonly used for recreational and outdoor activities, especially at the southern end, due to the high population density surrounding it. It was named after the Chickamauga Cherokee who used to live in the area. The Hiwassee River empties into Chickamauga Lake at Hiwassee Island, just north of the Highway 60 bridge at mile 500 (804.5 km). Chickamauga Lake is immediately downstream from Watts Bar Lake and immediately upstream from Nickajack Lake. Full pool for Chickamauga Lake is above sea level; the current lake level can be checked here. The normal operating zone is between and through the end of March, rising steadily to a summer range of by the middle of May. Then, full pool is maintained through the end of August, at which time the level drops steadily back down to by the end of November. Actual lake levels vary due to weather conditions and power needs. The lake is a popular venue for fishing and a variety of gamefish can be caught there including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and catfish. As a result, the venue hosts popular fishing tournaments. See also Dams and reservoirs of the Tennessee River Harrison Bay State Park, a park along the shore of Chickamauga Lake Booker T. Washington State Park (Tennessee), another park along the shore of Chickamauga Lake References Protected areas of Bradley County, Tennessee Protected areas of Hamilton County, Tennessee Protected areas of McMinn County, Tennessee Protected areas of Meigs County, Tennessee Reservoirs in Tennessee Protected areas of Rhea County, Tennessee Tennessee River Tennessee Valley Authority Geography of Chattanooga, Tennessee Tourist attractions in Chattanooga, Tennessee Bodies of water of Bradley County, Tennessee Bodies of water of Hamilton County, Tennessee Bodies of water of McMinn County, Tennessee Bodies of water of Meigs County, Tennessee