2012 Army Corps Team 5 - Tennessee

Located on the Cumberland River, Cheatham Lake is a riverine lake formed by the Cheatham Lock and Dam. Originally a navigation project, the Army Corps of Engineers designed a dam and three lock
system to facilitate navigation along the Cumberland River; replacing three locks built at the turn of thecentury. Approved in 1946, the three locks were fully functional and open for navigation in 1952. That same year Congress approved the plan for the Cheatham hydroelectric power plant. Today the Cheatham power plant provides an estimated average annual energy output of 160,000,000 kilowatt hours; enough to power 15,000 homes a year.
Cheatham lake is over 67 miles long, extending from Cheatham Lock and Dam on the lower end of the lake, through the heart of Nashville, to Old Hickory Lock and Dam on the upper end. It contains various sloughs and marshes, and is home to two major tributaries of the Cumberland River: Harpeth River and Sycamore Creek. It varies from broad floodplains to moderate steep rides. Extending out from the lake are hardwood forests, as well as pine forests. It is home to a variety of fish species,including, rockfish, lunker largemouth bass, sauger, white bass and panfish. Bald Eagles nest by the lake and can be seen year around. A variety of waterfowl call the lake their home; and since the 1960s it has had one of the most concentrated nesting locations for Cliff Swallows in the state of Tennesseee.
With over 320 miles of shoreline, Cheatham lake offers a variety of activities, from boating, swimming,fishing to hunting, camping and hiking. It plays host to a variety of events such as the Young Fish Bustin' Rodeo, Music City's Bass Angler Tournament, and Nashville Bassmasters Tournament. Visitors to Cheatham Lake can visit the dam, take a tour of the hydroelectric power plant, or participate in the numerous activities on and around Cheatham Lake.
(Picture compliments of Johnnie Welborn Jr.)

Brenna is a 22-year-old Northeast Ohio native serving with the
Nashville Army Corps crew. After graduating from Hiram College in May
2011, Brenna moved to live and work on a small urban farm. Since
moving she worked, exploring the many uses of googly eyes as a
preschool art teacher by day, and honing her skills as a food service
professional by night. She enjoys learning about permaculture,
sustainability & people, hunting for wild mushrooms, and explorations
of every variety. She is elated to have the opportunity to work with
SCA and Army Corps in Nashville and looks forward to starting the next three months with a great group of people.

Hello, my name is Erica Mutschler. I grew up on Long Island, in the
town of Port Jefferson, NY. After high school I moved to California to
study at UC Berkeley. After playing around with a few different
majors, I ended up studying Political Economy, graduating in 2009.
Since college I have had a growing interest in sustainable design and
urban planning; an area I would like to further explore and grow in.

This summer I'll be working in Nashville with the SCA and Army Corps
of Engineers, conducting user surveys. I'm looking forward to
exploring the Nashville area, tasting new food, hearing good music and
meeting new people.

Just over two decades ago, a hero was born in the city of Canton, OH. Growing up in football country, my parents raised me up to love sports. When my hopes of playing college football were crushed because of tearing muscles in my shoulder,I decided to attend Ohio University to further my education with a degree in Anthropology. I love meeting new people and learning about cultures outside of my own.

While serving as a Corps member for the SCA/ACE VUS, I look forward to being able to enhance the recreational experience for the people of the Nashville area. In my spare time I will be embedding myself in the Southern culture, making new friends, and consuming as much of the country music scene as possible! Peace and Blessings!