Overview
Old Hickory Lake is a 22,500-acre reservoir on the Cumberland River about 25 miles upstream from downtown Nashville in Sumner and Davidson counties, Tennessee. It was completed in the 1950s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District for hydropower, navigation, and recreation, and is named for Andrew Jackson's nickname "Old Hickory." The lake is one of Middle Tennessee's most heavily used recreation waters, with Hendersonville, Old Hickory, and other suburbs lining much of its shore.
Extending about 97 miles upstream to Cordell Hull Dam with roughly 440 miles of shoreline, Old Hickory is held in a very narrow band around 445 feet above mean sea level, with a minimum near 442 feet. Broad embayments, creek arms, islands, and a busy navigation channel create a mix of open water and protected fishing coves. Residential docks, marinas, and parks give the lower lake an urban-suburban character, while upper reaches feel more riverine and wooded.
The lake is popular for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and striped bass, with fisheries managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Corps campgrounds, marinas, swim beaches, and dozens of public boat access sites serve the reservoir, drawing anglers, recreational boaters, and tournament traffic from across the Nashville metro area. Year-round access and stable levels make Old Hickory a go-to destination for after-work fishing and weekend recreation.
Water levels on Old Hickory Lake are managed by the Corps of Engineers around a normal full pool of 445 feet above mean sea level (NGVD29). The lake sits between Cordell Hull Lake upstream and Cheatham Lake downstream on the Cumberland mainstem. Because fluctuations are minimal, the pool is unusually stable for a large reservoir, but monitoring current levels is still helpful for boating, fishing, and dock access.
Current Conditions
Old Hickory Lake is currently at full pool and has risen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendRisingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.26 ft
- 30-day changeUp 0.04 ft
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Old Hickory Lake is a 22,500-acre reservoir on the Cumberland River managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.