Tims Ford Lake

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Tims Ford Lake

| image = Tims-Ford-Lake-Winchester-sunset-tn1.jpg

| caption = Tims Ford Lake near Winchester

| image_bathymetry =

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| location = Franklin / Moore counties, Tennessee

| coords = {{coord|35|11|49|N|086|16|43|W|region:US-TN_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title}}

| type = reservoir

| inflow = Elk River

| outflow = Elk River

| catchment =

| basin_countries = United States

| length =

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| area = {{convert|10700|acre|km2|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}

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| shore =

| elevation = {{convert|269|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{gnis|1272660}}

| islands =

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| frozen =

| pushpin_map = Tennessee#USA

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee, USA.

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}}

File:Boat on Tims Ford.jpg

Tims Ford Lake is a reservoir run by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in southern middle Tennessee. The lake encompasses {{convert|10,700|acres|mi2 km2}} and approximately {{convert|250|miles}} of shoreline.

The Tims Ford Dam was named from an early ford crossing the Elk River near Winchester. The ford was on or near land owned by Abner Mansfield Tims, an early Franklin County settler. The ford was used until about 1885 when the Tims Ford Bridge was constructed across the river.

The massive dam and reservoir construction program that was undertaken by TVA following its creation in 1933, required the purchase of over {{convert|1000000|acres|km2}} of land for the creation of 34 reservoirs in five of the seven states in the Tennessee Valley region.

The lake is home to the {{convert|3,546|acre|km2}} Tims Ford State Park.

There are six islands on the lake that are accessible for camping and exploring: Leatherwood Island, Big Island, Little Island, Maple Bend Island, Goose Island, and Devils Step Island. The camping is primitive with no facilities and is managed by Tims Ford State Park. Access to the islands is via either boat or kayak.

Tims Ford Lake was designated a [https://www.tn.gov/tourism/news/2021/12/16/gov--bill-lee-and-america-s-most-loved-fisherman-bill-dance--announce-tennessee--bill-dance-signature-lakes--initiative.html Bill Dance Signature Lake] on Dec 21, 2021.{{Cite web |title=Gov. Bill Lee and America's Most-Loved Fisherman Bill Dance Announce Tennessee "Bill Dance Signature Lakes" Initiative |url=https://www.tn.gov/tourism/news/2021/12/16/gov--bill-lee-and-america-s-most-loved-fisherman-bill-dance--announce-tennessee--bill-dance-signature-lakes--initiative.html |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=www.tn.gov |language=en}} This designation provides funds to the lake for above-the-water upgrades such as docks, fishing piers, and signage as well as other enhancements to fishing in the lake.

The lake is bordered by 5 different cities. Winchester (which is the Franklin County seat), Decherd, Estill Springs, Tullahoma, and Lynchburg.