The Chickamauga Dam and its environs

"The Chickamauga Dam and its environs" by Robert Sparks Walker is a historical exploration that recounts the building of the Chickamauga Dam and the changes it brought to the area and its people. The book blends technical details with a rich local history, especially focusing on the relationships between the Cherokee Nation and the settlers who moved in. Walker describes the features of the Chickamauga Lake and the dam itself and their impact on the planet, but also shares stories of the past, remembering the traditions of the Cherokee people, like Chief John Jolly, and the losses of towns like Dallas and Harrison that now lie underwater. Walker links these past events to larger ideas about the uprooting of Native American societies and how industrial growth changes the land. The author shows a love for the lake’s beauty and the history it holds, appreciating both the natural world and the stories of the past.