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Tennessee Lakes: Deadly Dangers Lurk
7 Jul
Summary
- Over 180 boating incidents reported in Tennessee last year.
- Ten people have died on Tennessee waterways so far in 2026.
- J. Percy Priest Reservoir is the deadliest body of water with nearly 30 deaths.
Tennessee's waterways have become increasingly hazardous, with over 180 boating incidents recorded by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency last year. This year, 2026, has already seen ten fatalities on the state's waters, underscoring a concerning trend. Collisions between vessels are frequently investigated by the agency.
Over the past decade, J. Percy Priest Reservoir has emerged as the deadliest body of water, accounting for nearly 30 lives lost since 2016. Douglas and Watts Bar Reservoirs have each seen nine fatal events in the same period. Norris Reservoir recorded 14 deaths in the last ten years, while Chickamauga Reservoir had 16. Kentucky Lake, a vast man-made lake, is the second deadliest with 21 fatalities over the past decade.
Last year, two individuals, including a child, died on J. Percy Priest Reservoir. Drownings and accidents, such as falling overboard or boat collisions, contribute significantly to the death toll. Wildlife agents issued over 2,500 citations and made 90 arrests for boating under the influence in 2025.
