A big TVA lake south of Manchester
Tims Ford Lake Homes: What Buyers Should Know
Tims Ford Lake is one of the reasons people look at homes in this part of Tennessee. It is not in Coffee County, but it is a short drive from Tullahoma and Manchester, and many of my buyers ask about it. Here are the facts and the questions to ask.
The lake at a glance
Tims Ford Lake is a TVA reservoir on the Elk River in Franklin and Moore counties. TVA describes it as extending 34 miles upstream from Tims Ford Dam. According to a Tims Ford State Park and TVA brochure, the reservoir covers 10,700 acres, has a maximum depth of 150 feet and 255 miles of shoreline. TVA began building the dam in 1966 and finished it in 1970. Besides power generation and recreation, the lake provides water supply and flood damage reduction on the Elk River.
The lake is named for a river crossing near Winchester on land owned by an early settler, Abner Mansfield Tims.
Tims Ford State Park
Tims Ford State Park covers 3,546 acres on the lake near Winchester. The park offers camping, cabins, a marina, hiking and biking trails and the Bear Trace golf course. Five islands, reachable only by boat, can be reserved for primitive camping.
Towns around the lake
- Winchester, the Franklin County seat, sits near the dam end of the lake and has a historic downtown.
- Estill Springs sits at the northern, upstream end of the lake on US 41A, about 8 miles from Tullahoma.
- Lynchburg is the seat of Moore County, the other county the lake reaches into.
The Tims Ford Blueway, a paddling trail, connects public access points from Estill Springs City Park down to Winchester City Park and Tims Ford State Park.
Shoreline rules and docks
Like other TVA lakes, much of the shoreline is public land managed by TVA. A dock, boathouse or bank stabilization project generally needs a TVA Section 26a permit before any work starts, and TVA reviews each request against the rules for that stretch of shoreline. A lot that looks like it is on the water may actually border a strip of TVA land. Before you buy:
- Ask whether the lot touches the water or a TVA strip.
- Ask for a copy of any existing dock permit.
- Contact TVA about what may be allowed before you make an offer contingent on a dock.
Other things to check
- Water levels. TVA lake levels change through the year. Look at the property in winter if you can, and check the TVA lake information site.
- Septic. Many lake homes use septic. Request the septic permit record from the state.
- County. Tims Ford is in Franklin and Moore counties, so taxes, schools and permits come from those counties, not Coffee County.
- Flood zone and insurance. Ask early.
Tims Ford or Normandy?
Tims Ford covers more than three times the acreage of Normandy Lake and produces hydroelectric power. Normandy sits mostly in Coffee County. Compare them in my Normandy Lake guide. When you are ready to look at lake homes, start with the buyer guide.
Common questions
What county is Tims Ford Lake in?
Tims Ford Lake is in Franklin and Moore counties, Tennessee, on the Elk River.
How big is Tims Ford Lake?
A Tims Ford State Park and TVA brochure lists 10,700 acres, 255 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 150 feet.
Do you need a permit for a dock on Tims Ford Lake?
Yes, docks and shoreline work on TVA lakes generally require a TVA Section 26a permit before construction.
Matt Sargent is a Tennessee licensed affiliate broker with Keller Williams who helps buyers and sellers in Manchester and Coffee County. Call (615) 497 1658 or send a message.