States · Tennessee · Kentucky Lake

Kentucky Lake — Tennessee Side

The largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi River — 160,300 acres, only 5 feet of annual drawdown, and a national crappie fishery that West Tennessee anglers have been quietly fishing for decades. The Tennessee side is underwritten by Paris Landing State Park, Land Between the Lakes, and county tax rates lower than most East Tennessee lake markets.

TVA Main-Stem5-ft Drawdown OnlyHouseboats Allowed290 TN Listings
Surface Area
160,300 acres
Shoreline
2,064 miles
Full Pool
359 ft (MSL)
Winter Pool
354 ft (MSL)
Drawdown
Only 5 ft
Operator
TVA
River
Tennessee River (last main-stem dam)
TN Counties
Benton, Henry, Stewart + others
TVA Land
74,713.6 acres / 578 parcels
Permit
TVA Section 26a — 60-day re-register
Houseboats
Allowed
Distinction
Largest artificial lake east of Mississippi
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Only 5 Feet — The Stability Advantage

Kentucky Lake drops from 359 feet to 354 feet in winter. That is the smallest drawdown of any major TVA reservoir in Tennessee. Docks remain fully accessible all 12 months. Compare that to Douglas Lake (44 ft) or Cherokee Lake (40 ft) — the difference in year-round dock utility is enormous. If dock accessibility matters, the 5-ft drawdown is Kentucky Lake's single most important structural advantage.

Tennessee Side vs Kentucky Side

Kentucky Dam is in Kentucky but most of the lake's residential real estate market is on the Tennessee side, anchored by Paris Landing State Park in Benton County and the communities around Henry County. Tennessee's tax advantages — no state income tax, lower effective property tax rates in Henry and Benton counties — make the TN side financially favorable for retirees and primary residents relative to the Kentucky side where the dam sits.

The National Crappie Destination

Kentucky Lake's crappie fishery is described by regional fishing guides as one of the premier crappie lakes in the United States. The combination of shallow structure, abundant timber, and Tennessee River current creates conditions where spring spawning crappie concentrate in predictable locations that produce limits for experienced anglers consistently. This is not a Tennessee regional reputation — it draws crappie-specific fishing tourism from multiple states.

Local Guidance

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Kentucky Lake — Operator Quick Reference
Operator
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Dam Location
Kentucky Dam, Gilbertsville KY (Tennessee River Mile 22.4)
Dock Permit
Section 26a — transfers at closing, 60-day re-registration
TVA Land
74,713.6 acres / 578 parcels
Drawdown
5 ft only (354–359 ft MSL)
Houseboats
Permitted
Adjacent Park
Land Between the Lakes NRA (170,000 acres)
TVA Contact
Public Land Info: (800) 882-5263

Everything About Buying on Kentucky Lake

The Real Cost of Living on Kentucky Lake
Benton and Henry county tax rates, dock costs, insurance. Only 5-ft drawdown means stable dock access year-round — but 160,300 acres means commute realities that vary dramatically by location.
Property Tax by County — Kentucky Lake TN
Tennessee side: Benton, Henry, Stewart county rates with actual math. No TN income tax. Why the Tennessee side compares favorably to the Kentucky side for retirees.
TVA Dock Permits on Kentucky Lake
Section 26a permits transfer at closing — 60-day re-registration required. 5-ft drawdown means minimal engineering complexity vs East TN drawdown lakes. What the TVA permit process looks like on a main-stem reservoir.
Kentucky Lake Water Levels — 5 Feet, Not 40
Summer pool 359 ft (May 1–July 4), winter pool 354 ft. Only a 5-ft swing — why Kentucky Lake is accessible year-round while East TN lakes are drained. The drawdown schedule and what it means for docks.
Buying on Kentucky Lake: What Can Go Wrong
160,300 acres means location selection is critical — Nashville is 114 miles away. TVA permit re-registration timeline, county selection, and why a 5-ft drawdown still requires depth verification on flat shoreline.
Neighborhoods on the Tennessee Side
Paris Landing (Benton County) is the main anchor. Henry County (Paris TN) market. Stewart County south. Land Between the Lakes to the north. How 11 TN counties divide into distinct buyer markets.
Year-Round Living on Kentucky Lake
5-ft drawdown means full dock access all 12 months. Paris Landing State Park, Land Between the Lakes 170,000 acres. Jackson TN 50 min. The honest seasonal picture on the nation's largest inland lake east of the Mississippi.
What Nobody Tells You About Kentucky Lake
It takes 32 days for a drop of water to travel from Pickwick Dam to Kentucky Dam. Land Between the Lakes is free. The national crappie destination that West TN anglers guard. Five things buyers from outside the region miss.
Boating on Kentucky Lake
160,300 acres, 2,064 miles of shoreline, 48+ public access points. Tennessee River current, Land Between the Lakes access, Paris Landing marina. The largest recreational lake east of the Mississippi.
Fishing on Kentucky Lake
Nationally recognized crappie fishery — guides call it one of the best in the country. Ledge fishing for bass, catfish, sauger, white bass in jumps. How Tennessee River current changes the bite daily.
Retiring on Kentucky Lake
No TN income tax. Benton and Henry County rates low. Paris Landing State Park and Land Between the Lakes at your door. Jackson-Madison hospital 50 min. The retirement case for West Tennessee's signature lake.
Lakefront Insurance on Kentucky Lake
5-ft drawdown simplifies dock insurance vs East TN lakes. Flood zone considerations on a main-stem Tennessee River reservoir. West Tennessee insurance market rates and coverage expectations.

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