Melton Lake Park
Melton Lake Park sits on the shore of Melton Lake, a reservoir along the Clinch River. The park itself is fairly simple, with a pavilion, playground, and picnic shelter, but the real draw is the peaceful setting. The lake is calm, and sheltered by the surrounding ridges that give Oak Ridge its name, so on still mornings you can get clean reflections of the tree lined hills across the water. Fog rolls in regularly, especially in the cooler months, and the whole scene softens into something worth getting up early for. The Melton Lake Greenway runs right through the park along the shoreline as it follows the river, making it a great path to walk while scouting angles. The waterfront is open and accessible, so you can find compositions with the lake stretching out in front of you without much obstruction. One thing that sets this location apart is the rowing. Melton Lake is one of the top rowing venues in the country, and crews are out on the water regularly, especially in spring when college teams come to train and compete. Rowers cutting across glassy water at dawn make for a strong subject, particularly with fog or low light behind them. The ridge lines in the background give your shots some depth and layering. Fall colour along the shoreline is quite photogenic, and the mix of hardwoods and water reflections works well from the greenway. The park is open and easy to access off Melton Lake Drive. (Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA)
