| COUNTY | Lake, Obion | ACREAGE | 18,000 |
| 7.5' QUADRANGLE | Tiptonville, Hornbeak, Samburg, Ridgely | OWNERSHIP | State of Tennessee |
| PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCE |
Mississippi Alluvial Floodplain | YEAR DESIGNATED | 1973 |
DESCRIPTION |
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Reelfoot
Lake is an 18,000- acre natural area located in Lake and Obion Counties
in northwest Tennessee. The lake was created by a series of violent New
Madrid fault zone earthquakes in the winter of 1811-1812. The lake and
surrounding forests attract a large diversity of wintering and breeding
populations of waterfowl, and boasts a significant population of wintering
bald eagles. Reelfoot is also recognized by the United States Department
of Interior as a National Natural Landmark. It is one of only fourteen
National Natural Landmarks in Tennessee. These landmarks are recognized
as the country’s best remaining examples of major biotic communities
and geologic features.
The natural area includes about 10,900 acres of open water and marshes, and about 7,100 acres of bottomland hardwood forests and cypress dominated bottoms and sloughs. Much of the open lake habitat and forested habitats inter-grade creating transitional zones teeming with fish, reptiles, amphibians, other wildlife, and emergent vegetation. Reelfoot offers opportunities for outdoor recreational activities such as wildlife viewing, bird watching, fishing, hunting, and hiking. It is a popular winter destination for people interested in observing bald eagles.
The
contiguous area within Reelfoot Lake State Natural Area and Reelfoot National
Wildlife Refuge is home to over 34 species of rare or endangered plants
or animals. There are at least 14 rare bird species benefiting from this
large aquatic/terrestrial landscape. These include the bald eagle, Swainson’s
warbler, peregrine falcon, and Mississippi kite. There are also 12 rare
plant species including copper iris (Iris fulva), featherfoil (Hottonia
inflata), and yellow water-crowsfoot (Ranunculus longirostris) found in
the seasonally flooded sloughs and bottoms surrounding the lake. There
are eight rare species of animals including mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates
protected at Reelfoot Lake. The diversity of habitat and the large scale
and continuity of the landscape offer a significant refugium for all types
of wildlife that are migrating through or inhabiting this Mississippi
River floodplain.
SITE MANAGEMENT
Reelfoot WMA, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, 200 Lowell Thomas Drive, Jackson, TN 38301, phone (731) 423-5725. Reelfoot Lake State Park, 3120 State Rt. 213, Tiptonville TN, 38079-9799, phone (731) 253-7756. Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, 4343 Highway 157, Union City TN 38261, phone (731) 538-2481. Division of Natural Areas, Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson TN 38305, phone (731) 512-1369. Division of Natural Areas, 7th Floor L&C Annex, 401 Church St., Nashville TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0341.
PUBLIC ACCESS
Public access is provided in numerous locations with trails, boat ramps, and parking provided. Please contact the visitor center at Reelfoot Lake State Park or Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge for additional information.
DIRECTIONS:
To the Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitors Center: From Dyersburg, take State Hwy 78 north to Tiptonville and turn right (east) onto State Hwy. 21 until you reach the visitor center on the left.
