Lake Tuscaloosa is a

reservoir A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation. Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...

in west-central

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...

, created by damming North River. It was constructed by Thornton Jones to provide water for

Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa ( ) is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west-central Alabama, United States, on the Black Warrior River where the Gulf Coastal and Piedmont plains meet. Alabama's fifth-largest city, it had an estimated population of 1 ...

residents and for industrial use as well. It was completed in 1970 at a cost of about $7,725,000. Since it is located just north of Tuscaloosa and Northport, the lake is also very popular for recreational activities.

History

Lake Tuscaloosa was constructed in response to the rising population of Tuscaloosa, which began to consume more water than its two current reservoirs, Harris Lake and Lake Nicol, could provide. A dam was constructed on North River, flooding the area that would become Lake Tuscaloosa. In relation to the other two lakes, Lake Tuscaloosa became the most bountiful of the three, pushing Harris Lake to only handle industrial water and Lake Nicol for use as a backup. Currently, Lake Tuscaloosa's water is treated for human consumption as well as providing some industrial raw water.Tuscaloosa, AL - Official Website - Lakes Division"
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References

Reservoirs in Alabama Reservoirs in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Alabama placenames of Native American origin {{TuscaloosaCountyAL-geo-stub