Pickwick Lake (colleges, to live in, authority)

[JenniferLynnF1973]

Hi, we're in Illinois, but I need to find out some information about Pickwick Lake for my son in 3rd grade. Answers to these questions would be great!

1. What is the lake's size?
2. What is an interesting feature of the lake?
3. How is the lake used? Just for fun, or does it serve a purpose?
4. What animals live in or near this lake?

One more question...he's supposed to tell where the lake is located, but three states actually meet in the middle of the lake (Mississippi, Alabama, & Tennessee). Since technically, it's actually in 3 states, does anyone know if it's more well-known in one of those states over the others?

THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!

[alleycat]

You can do a simple Google search for any of the features of the lake (TVA has one for each lake in their system).

A little information out the top of my pointy little head:

The lake is used for flood control, power generation, and for improved navigation of the river.

Here's a couple of pieces of trivia that you son might find interesting. Pickwick Dam and Lake are named after Pickwick Landing . . . which was named because the postmaster (I think that's who it was) was a fan of Charles Dickens and named the place after Dickens's novel, The Pickwick Papers. The Battle of Shiloh (called the Battle of Pittsburg Landing by the Union) was fought near the site of Pickwick Dam.

The dam itself is in Tennessee; however, I don't think any of the three states considers it more theirs than the other two states. Your son could use the location of the dam as a starter, then explains how the reservoir (headwaters) extends upriver from there into Mississippi and Alabama.

There are some parks along the lake. If your son needs more information than he can find online, I'm sure that if he contacts either the park authority (or perhaps even the TVA), they would be willing to send a 3rd grader some additional information.

[Tinman313]

TVA: Pickwick Reservoir

[Grizzlybear34]

I love those type of projects. I remember when I was in the 7th grade, we had to do a project on an assigned state. I got assigned to do Tennessee! I remember, vaguely now, that I wrote many colleges asking for information, as well as other organizations. The fun part of the project was doing a topographical model of the state. Someday, I get to live in that model!

Good luck on the project and take some time to write some of the businesses and marinas to see what other info you can dig up! Thanks for sparking a good memory for me!

[JenniferLynnF1973]

Thanks so much for your answers! I did google it, but again my son is only in 3rd grade, so he has 4 basic questions to answer. When I google it, I get a whole wealth of information that I have to sift through, so it's much easier to find great people like you to help out!

Still looking for the animal question. We actually "caught" a turtle when we were fishing there 4 years ago, but other than turtles and fish, I don't know if there's much more to find. Anyone know?

[alleycat]

Well, some of the animals that are relatively common in Tennessee include raccoons, possums, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, whitetail deer, snakes (mostly harmless except for a few species), wild turkeys, and a bunch of others. I don't live near the Pickwick area, so I can't say what's common and what's not in that particular area, but that would be a good idea of the animal life here in Tennessee.

I wish your son the best with his studies. I know your son is only in the third grade now but when he gets a little older, have him sign in and ask the questions . . . I promise everyone here on the Tennessee forum will treat him nicely.

[Homesick4Home]

Here are some pics of Pickwick that I took last fall. Your son is more than welcome to use them for his project if he likes. http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o.../pickwick3.jpg and

pickwick2.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[JenniferLynnF1973]

Thank you everyone for your help. I believe we've got all the info we need. Thanks!