About the Pellissippi Blueway

Background

The Pellissippi Blueway is located in east Tennessee along the Clinch River, extending 54 miles from the Miller Island access below Norris Dam to Melton Hill Dam. The Blueway derives its name from the original Cherokee name Pellissippi (winding waters) for the Clinch River.

A coalition of governmental and non-governmental organizations and recreation companies have come together to form the Pellissippi Blueway Coalition to seek improved access along the waterway and greater public awareness of the many opportunities provided by the Blueway. The Pellissippi Blueway runs alongside unfragmented forests with high biodiversity and scenic value. Some of the adjacent public lands are owned and managed by the

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Anderson and Knox Counties, and the US Department of Energy (DOE). The coalition is working with governmental agencies to maintain existing access and create new access where needed.

The Blueway can provide opportunities for residents and visitors to appreciate and experience the vast tracts of forested land bordering the Blueway while maintaining its treasured natural attributes. The Pellissippi Blueway has the potential to provide excellent experiences to families and people of all ages. Many outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, and bird watching are easily accessible on the Blueway.

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A Journey Through History

Paddle, fish, drift and explore along the flow of history as this scenic winding river path cuts its way through the tumble of mountains and ridges. From prehistoric forests to sites of emerging technologies, the Clinch River’s natural beauty camouflages deep legends of Native American gathering places, wilderness settlements, home farms, energy discoveries, scientific innovations, all at a crossroads of exploration and innovation.

As you paddle from north to south, you cross modern roads with deep history. As smaller trails led into the old roads, the Emory Road was the major trail of Tennessee east-west settlement. So flowed the small scenic creeks into the Clinch River and on into the Tennessee River.

Ghosts of the past share their unseen and unheard journey. You paddle past centuries of history, including relics of fishing spots and trot lines, old ferry crossings, railroads bringing coal, and the entrance to The Secret City. Many historic sites, often forgotten and unmarked, hold memories of conflict, murder, scandal and slavery.

Oak Ridge Reservation

The 37,000 acre Oak Ridge Reservation runs along 30 miles of the northwest shore of the lower Blueway. It features over 1000 plant species and 320 animal species. Several are rare. The area is a bird watching mecca and boasts some of the best fishing around. The Oak Ridge Reservation has limited public access.

Recent History

Oak Ridge was home to uranium enrichment facilities and headquarters of the Manhattan Project during World War 2. The region was an ideal location for the top-secret atomic weapons program. The US government purchased almost 64,000 acres of land for the project. It included several farming communities. The residents had to leave the area. About half that area is retained as the Oak Ridge Reservation. In 1963 Melton Hill Dam was completed which formed Melton Hill Lake.

Partner Organizations

The Pellissippi Blueway is supported by a coalition of public agencies, nonprofits, and recreation partners working together to protect and promote the Clinch River corridor.