Anyone know if this lake is open to the public? I'm selling my kayak and need a place between CS and Austin for a test paddle. Alcoa Lake is a good location, but I can't tell if it's open. If not, any other suggestions?

You used to have to be an employee. Don't know how it is now.

Granger Lake might be an alternative.

I used to live in Thorndale. No, Alcoa lake is not open to the public. According to my in-laws, it was open to the public 30 years ago, but contaminates in the water became too high and the lake was closed.

Not public

Not public

Good to know - thanks

Closed in the early 80s.

Massive amounts of lead, mercury, etc.

What about Taylor Lake?

My uncle used to work for Alcoa, and we would go there to fish for fun, but you couldn't keep any fish back then. They'd let you swim, etc. It probably needs to be superfunded. It's not THAT contaminated, but it was so warm all the time from the coal plant that it was pretty useless for fishing anyways...too warm for most fish to go into spawning.