Rhea Springs

Rhea Springs is a boat ramp access point on Watts Bar Lake, the impounded section of the Piney River in Spring City, Rhea County, Tennessee. The Piney River is a medium-sized stream order 5 river with a drainage area of 118 square miles and flows into the Tennessee River system approximately 1378 miles downstream. This location provides access to a reservoir environment rather than free-flowing river conditions, making it suitable for a variety of boating activities.

The Piney River upstream of Watts Bar Lake features a notable gradient with an average slope of 153.5 feet per mile and significant elevation change, but boaters at Rhea Springs will experience the calm, impounded water of Watts Bar Lake. Under normal flow conditions, the water body maintains an average flow rate of about 121 cubic feet per second with an average velocity of 2 feet per second. The lake setting provides relatively stable water conditions compared to the upstream sections of the Piney River.

Boaters launching from Rhea Springs should be aware that Watts Bar Lake is used for multiple purposes including recreation, navigation, and power generation. The specific amenities, parking availability, and exact launch conditions at this particular access point should be verified with local management agencies or the Tennessee Valley Authority before planning a trip.