Fort Loudoun Lake, along the upper Tennessee River, stretches about 50 miles upstream from Fort Loudoun Dam, near Lenoir City, all the way to Knoxville. The reservoir derives its name from the 18th-century British fort that once stood on an adjacent site during the French and Indian War. This fort was dedicated to John Campbell, the fourth Earl of Loudoun, who served as the British forces’ commander in North America during that era.

Today, Fort Loudoun remains a favored destination for recreation, renowned for its excellent bass fishing, boating opportunities, and birdwatching. The area below the dam, known as the tailwater, provides a superb vantage point for observing various waterbirds, including herons, cormorants, gulls, osprey, and majestic bald eagles.

A short canal connects to Tellico Reservoir on the nearby Little Tennessee River, enhancing the waterway network in the region.