Reelfoot Lake – The Earthquake Lake

Reelfoot Lake is a by-product of the "New Madrid Earthquakes." A series of 1,874 recorded tremors centered generally about 70 miles southwest of the lake, taking place from December 16, 1811, until March 8, 1812. The "hard shock" came at 3 a.m. Friday, February 7, 1812.

These shocks could be felt over an area of one million square miles from Canada to the eastern seaboard and New Orleans . Witnesses reported that the earth and the river were torn with furious convulsions. During the quakes, ground waves near the epicenter moved a foot to and fro creating sunken lands, fissures, landslides and land domes. Sand blows erupted belching hot water, mud, fumes, coal and carbonized wood. The explosions coupled with the crashing of timbers, falling of banks along the river and the cries of frightened wildfowl created a terrible rumbling and roar. The air smelled of sulfur and the sky was unusually dark and dreary.

When the savage tremors subsided, Reelfoot Lake was born and thirty to fifty thousand square miles of land had undergone vast topographical changes most of which are visible today. Although these were among the most powerful shocks to strike North American within historic times, few lives were lost as the area was sparsely settled. . Powerful earthquakes occurred here before 1811 and are now estimated to occur at intervals of about 600 years.

Taken from: Tennessee State Society Daughters of American Colonist (1985)

Reelfoot Lake is somewhat a lake of mystery. For those of you who believe in legend, there is a story to be told that will explain how Reelfoot Lake came to be according to a tribe of Chickasaws. Learn More >

Reelfoot Lake also provides us with documented history, a more 'concrete' form of learning about the creation our very own 'Earthquake Lake'.

A letter written by a servant on March 22 of 1816, helps to visualize the horrific events that had taken place during the end of 1811 into the earlier part of 1812. Learn More >