Exploring America's largest underground lake

Deep in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, about 50 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee, sits an wonder 140 feet below ground: the largest underground lake in America. The lake, which was discovered only decades ago, attracts about 2,000 visitors a day from all over the world. Chip Reid reports.
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[@steviehannah4583]

My husband and I were married inside this cave five years ago yesterday, December 1, 2014. I went there as a kid and fell in love and it was a perfect place for us. 💕

[@jshepard152]

My wife buried me above ground level.

[@zerfixxz]

Aww

[@steviehannah4583]

😂 True story though. If this let me upload photos, I'd show ya. 💜

[@rogerpartner1622]

Aww did you eat The Trout ?

[@SimplyMentioned]

@@rogerpartner1622 ĺol Not allowed to fish them. They do flop into the boat sometimes though. The crew feed them and they swarm the boat while on the ride. It's a fun place. 👍🙂

[@kc836]

I remember taking a field trip there when I was in elementary school. The whole class really enjoyed it.

[@dustinwestfall8710]

Am I the only one who heard that lady say..." She looked very doable" 😂😂

[@varunemani]

That's our illustrious guide, Miss Savana. 🍷

[@chriswebster24]

It was like she read my mind, I swear.

[@comingoutofhibernation2122]

Looking at the map at 0:14, I see that Kansas has annexed Kentucky. This will not stand!

[@ChadwickHorn]

Most coastal people confuse us. Lol

[@GDuncan8002]

Good eye.

[@jd4278]

I was there in the summer of 1988. I was young and only remember the cold and the darkness. My father was pretty into it. Mother, not so much.

[@joekornecki6445]

I was there in 2014, and I enjoyed the tour. Another nice memory of my adventures over the years

[@tinywrinkle]

I'm from Kansas, and I could have SWORE it was further west. Turns out I was above Tennessee the whole time!

[@Sheila_M61]

Before recently moving to TN I lived in KY for 46 years, just a few miles from TN. @CBS obviously has their map all twisted in a bunch, because without a doubt that should not be Kansas above Tennessee😂

[@robertstarkey8792]

I remember me my Mom Dad and brother riding this boat in the 70s and 80s

[@CiscoWes]

I was there in the 80's too. Might have been at the same time lol

[@kennethamoore853]

I went there in college. It was scary and we were on a glass boat bottom

[@michealridenoour5320]

Very cool. I rode the glass bottomed boats in Mammoth Cave when i was a child. I've been unable to find any footage of this online so i enjoyed the video alot as it brought back memories!😁

[@yeahisaidthat3008]

I have visited the Lost Sea 3 times in my life and I must say it’s one of my favorite vacation memories!

[@chandlerturner4720]

i live 2 hours from this place went there on a field trip in elementary school. awesome place.

[@tiffytoo]

If you dont know about short creek you need to look it up. In somerset ky . its a smaller free version of this that you can have a family picnic at as long as you leave it better than you found it. Way cool.

[@sophiyah-3671]

Wow thank you I love you 💕

[@Vesayah]

Imagine a time when you can actually a swim in the cool lake on a hot summer day, instead of paying to ride a rusty boat across it.

[@theobserver9131]

Lol. I don't care how hot it is outside, I would never get into 50° water! I am much more comfortable at 100°.

[@freekingawwsome]

Very nice thank you for the share

[@crazychicSHENA]

I've been there before when I' was 10 very fun and entertaining 😇

[@Georgia-Vic]

Cherokee for Sweet Water is: "Ama Kanasta" I visited the Lost Sea Caverns back in 1984 when I was 15 at Summer Camp in Tellico Springs just a few miles away.They took us on a field trip to the cave and then we went to a nearby university and saw some people break dancing in the gym, the whole day was awesome and a memorable one at that because I remember while we were riding in a flat bottom boat at 8 people at a time, the tour guide gave us all dry fish food that looked like cat food into the water where 4- foot long giant blind catfish with white eyes would let me feel the sides of their skin as they slowly swam by! Where did they all go?

[@BigSlick40]

I went there with my sons boy scout troop about 12 years ago. The water levels were down during our visit so no boat ride and it was said that the water levels constantly change through out the seasons based on local rainfall. Curious though they say the cave was discovered in 1915 but there was mining during the civil war and a date inscribed on the cave wall from 1863. 1863 came way before 1915.

[@mr.g816]

The civil war was 1861-1865. This cave was "discovered" long before white people and their small pox

[@Huliaho]

The lake was discovered later, the cave had been known for a long time. I live near there.

[@andrewmoore1084]

I remember when i was 6 I spent 2 nights and 2 days in here with boy scout squad we went caving and crawled through tunnels it was awesome

[@delorestaylor8114]

Hats off to you sir for teaching our young boys about America’s natural treasures and how to preserve our memories.🇺🇸

[@greenergrass4060]

The tour guide is amazing

[@varunemani]

That's our illustrious guide, Miss Savana. 🍷

[@cplmpcocptcl6306]

Beautiful, just beautiful.

[@Georgia-Vic]

The water is pristine they don't want bacteria from human bodies to ruin it!

[@macclark4112]

The Largest known Underground Lake. However there is a far far Larger Lake below the Little Belt Mountains of Montana.

[@BrandonEAS]

From Madisonville TN! Damn!!!

[@michealridenoour5320]

Great video. Anyone know of footage of Mammoth Cave glass bootm boat ride?

[@eightyoutube11]

Watch for creepers

[@natashiajones6523]

We went here on a field trip in 8th grade. I would love to bring my boyfriend here on vacation.

[@mejorotra]

Omg that is soo cool

[@johncalaway4446]

Caverns are very interesting especially when there is a very large underground lake. I would enjoy seeing Carlsbad in New Mexico and Mammoth Caves located in this region. I am from Texas and there are caverns in the Central part of Texas. Two that come to mind are Longhorn Caverns and Innerspace Caverns. They are not as majestic as this. It was interesting how Innerspace Caverns were discovered.

[@GDuncan8002]

Mammoth is more impressive than Carlsbad, in my opinion. But my favorite cave so far is Cathedral Caverns in Alabama.

[@chepis7893]

Beautiful ❤

[@friendlysky7674]

I went there in July!

[@crysajb-iq1hd]

I remember a very different cavern, it was small. I remember crawling on my stomach to get to a small area of water. The fish were see through and because of where they lived they could not see but now they can see. I remember feeling trapped.

[@Vesayah]

Good tornado shelter.

[@harrywillisdick8660]

I've been there when I was 1 the sad thing is. I don't remember a thing

[@clairemosier1274]

Ive never been. Im taking my boy for his 12th birthday in April and on to Chattanooga after that if all goes well. Never know if the dang weather will be warm or cold still by then in good ol Tennessee

[@7kandyland]

Oh that's cool

[@varunemani]

That's our illustrious guide, Miss Savana. 🍷

[@baynardplumbing7849]

I been there its amazing

[@HippytheKid419]

Came here with a church group my freshman year and spent the night we were the only people there it was so fun crawling through all the tight spaces

[@alexisgonzalez7758]

it's open now?

[@GentileMysteriesConspiracies]

It is like driving through Kentucky on top of Mammoth Caves, the longest running cavern system known to the public is a National Park in Kentucky. Very similar to driving over the Hoover Damn, if most people could actually see what they were on top of, they wouldn't do it. Huge walls and railing keep people from seeing everything they are driving over, such as the huge dips and valley gorges.

[@delorestaylor8114]

I loved it 😘

[@Atmanmahatma]

interesting

[@deepinthestreets5351]

Nice

[@kbert6398]

Finally a lake that is not brimming with trash.

[@danielpizana3682]

It is upsetting to me that I have claustrophobia and will never be able to see this kind of stuff in person. I would freak out instantly, hell, I actually had fear course through my body looking at it lol. smh.

[@chrisgann7842]

Ive been there. It was fun

[@NygilMr94]

You mean stalactites?!

[@tooge47]

BEEN THERE !

[@Z533xxx]

Who else noticed bright eyes in the background ?

[@bibletrivia4445]

*Now I’m Happy. God bless America, my home sweet home*

[@pbs3836]

My anxiety levels just shot up

[@gibbytravis]

Q: What's the best part of what you do? A: There's a rich history here and it's something that you don't get to see every day. She literally gets to see it every day.

[@GDuncan8002]

You don't get to see it everyday. She does.

[@alecstephenson8991]

went here with my middle school class and spent the night in there. the fish are blind and they feed them liver pellets and they jump when you feed them, our tour guide told us he once saw a fish jump into a lady’s lap and she beat it to death with her pocketbook, they gave it to her thinking she might have it stuffed and hang it. well the woman called back and said that it was the worst tasting fish she’d ever eaten and that it tasted like liver 😂 i guess you are what you eat, that story will stick with me forever for sure

[@highspeedboom]

If this is in the Guinness book, how long is it how wide is it? There is a underground lake in Missouri called Devils well over 400feet long and over 100feet wide

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Very nice.....Thank you...

[@Youre_Right]

I spent a few nights in this cave when I was a Boy Scout.

[@mannyduran8458]

I would love to go there but only with a couple people and just hang out all day

[@theobserver9131]

Yeah, the crowds are a huge turn off for me. Huge groups being lead like sheep. I make a terrible sheep.

[@niniimuka]

Wonders of Nature, never seizes to AMAZE

[@CiscoWes]

@@bvmpinbvmpin Some people say The Grand Canyon is a beautiful work, and others say it's a big ditch.

[@smokethis2285]

Any fishing there?

[@daveed1797]

Who brings a toddler on a trip like that

[@shamarkwoodward1587]

how was that discovered when native americans already knew about ?

[@chriswebster24]

They meant discovered by humans. The Indians didn’t know about the lake, anyway, though.

[@saucywench9122]

Nope. I need blue skies.

[@marybethbarnes5583]

Hey cbs Chattanooga TN checking in here. Next time u stop by the gig city come to eat at stevarinos on Cherokee Blvd. We'd love to have u! Ask 4 Rae ❤️

[@sonder3519]

Good job. It pays the bills and serves as an apocalypse safe house.

[@NIGHTOWL-jf9zt]

I'm curious to know if anyone ever fished this water and if so, how did the trout taste. Also wonder what their food source is?

[@DgitlRedBeard]

They are stocked rainbow trout. The tour boats feed them every 15 minutes so everyone sees them up close.

[@michaellewis4632]

It would be Awsome to swim in

[@chriswebster24]

Yeah until the monster that lives inside it pulls you under and eats you.

[@theobserver9131]

Thanks for showing me something really cool that I did not know existed! The commentary by the talking heads at the end was totally unnecessary and irrelevant.

[@jamalhill3535]

2 years ago this was posted and no one was wearing a freaking life jacket???? Do they still not???

[@chriswebster24]

White people know how to swim, Jamal 😂

[@lighthouse403]

Why isn’t a “Life Jacket” provided to all the tourists ? #americantourism #thinksmart #Tennessee #USA #America #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #USPresident. Seeing kids and youth sitting at the edges of the boat. Wherever a water body is a Tourist place, “Life Jackets are mandatory”. (Not everyday is a normal day for everyone).

[@JH-lz4dh]

Why aren't they wearing life jackets?!

[@whythe48]

A 13 year old kid discovered this kids from the south are made different

[@Sheila_M61]

We sure are!😊

[@shaunlowe5108]

I live less than an hour & half from there. Its further to Gatlinburg & Dollywood. But I've been to Dollywood 7 or 8 times. An nvr made it to the lake!

[@steviehannah4583]

We got married in the cave at the Lost Sea and then honeymooned in a mountain chalet in Gatlinburg. It was gorgeous. 🏞❤ There were fires about a year later. I hope our honeymoon chalet survived. 😢🥀

[@rogerpartner1622]

Lucky woman. But that’s really got F all about. These underground lakes. Of which there are thousands ..

[@vancevance6864]

Jeezus, a 70ft deep lake 40ft under ground, thats absolutely horrifying

[@nataliejohnson4325]

Glad someone said it.😳

[@marieubiles1377]

😂

[@AnEnemyAnemone1]

140 feet, not 40.

[@MonsieurBjornReddy]

Really, bright eyes to represent the folksy Tennessee wonder? Christ…

[@popanollie1]

am i the only one who wants to swim in it

[@merida6407]

Is there any problem in swimming here?

[@curtisbailey7120]

Cugjo carving I was there 50 years ago with my dad

[@amtiv]

This could have been more informative. :/

[@clobbyhops]

Get your tour tickets before Nestle buys it

[@bankruptsee]

This is the only time I have ever heard the word circuitous used on TV.

[@vinucini4341]

God bless America

[@doga2677]

this was my shelter, when asteroid hit the earth and everything was destroyed.

[@meldale6267]

does it count if it is blasted out to make it bigger?

[@Brinta3]

Mel Dale Just the entrance!

[@kamikazekid94]

It is quite beautiful but I think I will stay on the top surface

[@sandramorey2529]

So the largest underground lake wasn't as large until they blasted it out. Also, it looks like they stocked it with rainbow trout. Living here in Oakland CA, I have learned that the original rainbow trout actually come from our little streams in Redwood regional park about a 10 minute drive from my house. We struggle to keep them thriving.

[@Brinta3]

sandra morey The blasting she mentioned was only to make the opening bigger. You can’t expect fat Americans to climb through a small hole to enter the cave.

[@duanemurray7378]

Yes the opening was blasted if you care to pay enough attention to that and the lake is much bigger than anybody knows or has seen because you can't have the public diving under the walls to go see the bigger portions of the lake.

[@NickC-Ohio]

That boat ride is a pretty intimate little excursion for just the interviewer and the young female guide. I wonder if she felt like she was out on a date with the American public. I'm not claiming that it's inappropriate, merely remarking upon my perceived connotation.

[@KeepNitReeel]

A comment that could only come from the mind of a man. I'm guessing the female guide was just doing her job as she does everyday!

[@steviehannah4583]

They are amazing there! They are professional and were part of my wedding, which was there. I can never thank them enough. They were such joys. The cave is beautiful and the boat ride is romantic when you want it to be but you also feed the trout and they try to jump into the boat. So it's not exactly sexy. It's fun. A wedding and an adventure. 💕🏞

[@NCRTrooper23]

JESUS Loves u

[@illumiNOTme326]

That tunnel looks kinda like the new Joe Rogan set.

[@bacowlesnx01]

You have Kentucky labeled as KS. It should be KY.

[@GarethRiffStevens]

F**k that.. nothing that big will ever be above my head. What if an earthqake happened or the rock decided to collapse.

[@imrustyokay]

3:35 IT'S EAST TENNESSEE. EAST. TENNESSEE.

[@lmeza1983]

"Something you don't see everyday" Works there...

[@Kinghavs]

Where voldemorts horcrux is

[@josephatnip2398]

Bonne Terre Mine boasts Billion Gallon Lake, the largest subterranean lake in the world. And, it's home to the "world's largest fresh water dive resort."..... So somebody's lying

[@steviehannah4583]

The Lost Sea isn't a "dive resort."

[@scarroll625]

This chick is cute

[@seanvelentzas1917]

He was creepy

[@Tyler.i.81]

Goof old chip reed

[@tiffanylinquist2100]

If it's in TN wouldnt it be in the Appalachian Mountains...? Not "the Smokies"

[@tmks7416]

The Smokey mountains are a Sub range of the Appalachian mountains.

[@joemomma707]

I’ll stop by and check her out baby

[@damage6836]

Yeah that cave...shes a beauty...the tour guides not bad either