The Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to J. Percy Priest Lake. The lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year. Because of the temperate climate and relatively long recreation season, visitors have numerous activities from which to choose, including: fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, and others. Because of the lake's proximity to Nashville (15 minutes from downtown) lakeside recreation can fit nicely into your other vacation plans.

J. Percy Priest Dam and Reservoir, located in north-central Tennessee near Nashville, was named after Congressman James Percy Priest. Authorized by the U.S. Congress for construction in 1946 as part of the Flood Control Act, its primary purposes were flood control, power production, and recreation.

Before damming began in 1963 by the Army Corps of Engineers (completed in 1967), much of this land comprised private farms and woodlands with historical rural communities like Jefferson Springs once situated along the Stones River's banks.

The federal government acquired properties through purchase or eminent domain to facilitate reservoir creation; some families relocated while others received compensation for their submerged lands.

Historical features within what is now a recreational area include remnants from early settlements such as cemeteries that predate impoundment-these are maintained respectfully amidst natural surroundings accessible to visitors today.