Folklore maintains that even though visitors are not permitted in the area after dark, the spirit of a man who died tragically during the construction of the dam can sometimes be seen on the dam itself. Construction on the South Holston Dam began in 1942 under the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for flood control and electric power. The Dam is 285 feet tall, 1,600 feet long and contains the lake with a shoreline of 160 miles. Understandably, there were accidents during construction. 49 injuries were reported, and three men lost their lives. One of these men fell off the side of the damn before the concrete blocks were in place, and it is believed that his shade walks the dam at night.