They may be seen on the railroad towers or on wires over the water. On the way to the dam, a fenced-in beaver pond can be viewed at a distance. It contains a heron rookery as well as wood ducks and other waterfowl . In winter gulls may be seen near the spillways or on the lake above the dam, and many sparrows may be found in the riverside brush and grassy meadows. Yellow warblers and eastern kingbirds are among the nesting species.
Raptors often perch on the high steel towers.
The beaver pond is on the left before reaching the dam. The Tennessee Riverpark may be accessed from below the dam, or there are two Riverpark exits off Amnicola Highway. This free lakeshore park is an excellent place to view waterbirds and small land birds. From the boat landing and fishing piers common loon, horned grebe, and bald eagles can be observed between November and March. The brushy lake shore affords fall migrant songbirds and breeding eastern kingbird and orchard oriole .