The three lakes
Wilson Lake
- Dam: Wilson Dam
- Size: 15,500 acres, 166 miles of shoreline
- Near: Florence, Killen, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield
- Public access: Colbert Alloys Park (county park with a boat ramp, fishing piers and a campground) and the Lock Six area in Killen
- Fishing: TVA calls it the "Smallmouth Capital of the World."
- Current Wilson Lake levels from TVA ↗
Pickwick Lake
- Dam: Pickwick Landing Dam (Tennessee), finished 1938
- Size: 43,100 acres and nearly 490 miles of shoreline at summer pool, 53 miles long
- Near: Florence, Waterloo, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, plus Tennessee and Mississippi
- Public access: McFarland Park in Florence (2830 Darby Dr: boat ramps, slips, 60 campsites and a marine store) and Waterloo on the north side
- Fishing: Ranked #12 on Bassmaster's 2026 Southeastern best bass lakes list (#7 in 2025).
- Current Pickwick Lake levels from TVA ↗
Wheeler Lake
- Dam: Wheeler Dam near Rogersville, finished 1936
- Size: 67,070 acres, 1,027 miles of shoreline, 60 miles long
- Near: Rogersville and east toward Decatur and Huntsville
- Public access: Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville (2,550 acres, full service marina, lodge and 116 campsites)
- Fishing: Produced the former world record blue catfish, 111 pounds, in 1996.
- Current Wheeler Lake levels from TVA ↗
Sources: TVA dam pages for Wilson, Pickwick Landing and Wheeler; Colbert County Parks; City of Florence; Alabama State Parks; Alabama Department of Conservation; Bassmaster, July 1, 2026. Lake sizes vary by source; these are TVA's. Checked September 29, 2026.
Dock permits: TVA Section 26a
TVA requires a Section 26a permit for docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, riprap, retaining walls, dredging and fill on its lakes. If you're buying a home with a dock, ask the seller for copies of every permit. A permit doesn't pass to you automatically: the new owner has to notify TVA within 60 days of the sale.
Sources: TVA Section 26a; 18 CFR 1304.10.
TVA shoreline land
On a lot of lake property, TVA owns a strip of land between the private lot and the water. That changes what you can do near the shore. Where TVA owns the shoreline, there's a 50 foot shoreline management zone measured from summer pool, your cleared path to the water can be no wider than 20 feet, and any clearing or planting needs TVA's written approval.
Some private land also carries a flowage easement, which gives TVA the right to flood it. Before you buy, find out exactly where the property line is, who owns the shoreline, and whether a flowage easement applies. TVA's Public Land Information Center, (800) 882-5263, can help with boundary and permit questions.
Sources: 18 CFR 1304.203; TVA Shoreline Management Policy; TVA 26a definitions.
Winter lake levels
These lakes are managed for flood control, so the water drops in winter. A dock that sits in deep water in July can be close to the mud in January. Pickwick runs 413 to 414 feet in summer and drops to a winter minimum of 408. Wheeler runs 555 to 556 in summer and drops to 550.5. Both start coming down after Labor Day and hit winter levels by January 1. Main river lakes like these move less than TVA's tributary lakes, but it's still worth seeing a lot in winter if you can.
Sources: TVA pages for Pickwick and Wheeler; TVA, understanding the drawdown.
Flood zones and insurance
Look up any lake property on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center before you make an offer. Most homeowners policies don't cover flood. If the home is in a high risk zone (A or V) and you're using a government backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. FEMA puts the chance of flooding in a high risk zone at about 1 in 4 over a 30 year period. NFIP policies usually take effect 30 days after purchase, unless bought as part of the mortgage, and cover up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents.
Sources: FloodSmart, flood risk; FloodSmart, policy terms.
Your lake home checklist
- Copies of every TVA 26a permit for the dock, boathouse, riprap or walls
- A survey showing the property line, TVA land and any flowage easement
- The FEMA flood zone and a flood insurance quote before you're under contract
- A look at the shoreline and dock depth in winter, or at least the winter pool number
- An inspector who checks the dock and seawall, not just the house
Close to Wilson Lake, start with Killen and Florence. Near Wheeler and Joe Wheeler State Park, look at Rogersville. For Pickwick, look at west Florence and the Sheffield and Muscle Shoals side of the river.
Buying a lot to build on? Check the lot first ↗
Common questions
Do I need a permit to build a dock on a TVA lake?
Yes. TVA requires a Section 26a permit for docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, riprap, retaining walls, dredging and fill along its reservoirs. Get the permit before you build.
Does the dock permit transfer when I buy a lake house?
Not automatically. When a property with a permitted dock changes hands, the new owner must notify TVA within 60 days. Ask the seller for copies of every existing permit before closing.
What is TVA land between a house and the water?
On many lots TVA owns a strip of shoreline between the private property and the lake. Where TVA owns the shoreline, there is a 50 foot shoreline management zone measured from summer pool, the cleared path to the water can be no more than 20 feet wide, and any vegetation work needs TVA's written approval.
How much do the lakes drop in winter?
Pickwick drops from a summer range of 413 to 414 feet to a winter minimum of 408 feet. Wheeler drops from 555 to 556 feet to 550.5 feet. Both start coming down after Labor Day and reach winter levels by January 1. Check TVA's lake levels page for Wilson and for current readings.
Do I need flood insurance for a lake house?
Most homeowners policies do not cover flood. If the home is in a high risk flood zone (A or V) and you use a government backed mortgage, flood insurance is required. NFIP coverage usually starts 30 days after purchase unless it is bought with the mortgage.
Who can answer questions about a lot's TVA boundary?
TVA's Public Land Information Center can help with permit copies and boundary or buffer questions at (800) 882-5263.
General information, not legal, survey or insurance advice. Confirm permits and boundaries with TVA and flood details with FEMA and your insurance agent. Updated September 29, 2026.