Reelfoot Lake

Reelfoot Lake
Location of Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, USA.
Location of Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, USA.
Reelfoot Lake
Location of Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, USA.
Location of Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee, USA.
Reelfoot Lake
LocationLake / Obion counties, Tennessee, U.S.
Coordinates36°23′20″N 89°23′20″W / 36.38889°N 89.38889°W / 36.38889; -89.38889
Typesag pond
Basin countriesUnited States
Designated1965

Reelfoot Lake is a shallow natural lake located in the northwest portion of the U.S. state of Tennessee, in Lake and Obion Counties. Much of it is swamp-like, with bayou-like ditches (some natural, some man-made) connecting more open bodies of water called basins, the largest of which is called Blue Basin. Reelfoot Lake is noted for its bald cypress trees and its nesting pairs of bald eagles.

Public use of the lake and grounds has been preserved since it was acquired by the state of Tennessee in the early 20th century and the area was established as Reelfoot Lake State Park. Lake Isom, a similar, smaller lake to the immediate south, has been designated as a National Wildlife Refuge area. In 1966, Reelfoot Lake was designated as a national natural landmark by the National Park Service.[1]

  1. ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-28. Year designated: 1966