A Mermaid in Nashville: Does She Live in Percy Priest Lake?

One of the episodes that caught my eye in discovery+’s paranormal programming highlights for Feb. 1 through the 14 was Paranormal Caught on Camera’s “Mermaid in Nashville.” It began streaming on Friday, Feb. 5.

I’d never watched an episode of Paranormal Caught on Camera before then because it had always aired on Travel Channel. We’d cut ties with cable years ago, so I may be one of the few who was excited that all of Discovery Inc.’s various networks were now accessible via their new streaming service that I could get on my Roku. I definitely kept the subscription after the trial period!

Anyway, that’s how I was able to watch my first Paranormal Caught on Camera episode.

Or, I should say part of one. I fast-forwarded until it got to the part I was interested in: the story about the mermaid in Nashville.

Let’s explore the episode, the lake the mermaid in Nashville was seen at, and why I’m excited it was that lake in particular.

The Paranormal Caught on Camera Footage

I was super curious to know which lake the mermaid was spotted in. One of the boating lakes, like Percy Priest or Old Hickory? A smaller one like Radnor? Maybe even Center Hill or Tim’s Ford? Neither of which are in Nashville, but it’s the closest big city to each so maybe they were saying Nashville to simplify things.

Selfishly, I was hoping for Percy Priest Lake, which I’ll get to. However, because I live in Nashville, I was excited by the prospect of a mermaid being in any of the lakes. I’d take a jaunt to go mermaid hunting. (I would have preferred more of a Nessie-type lake monster, but as we say around our house: you get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit!)

As fate would have it, the footage that a Middle Tennesse woman named Wayuana Demonbreun caught was at Percy Priest.

But I have to say the stock footage of the lake at the start of the segment was not PPL. Sadly. It showed a cool lakeside path and park with a nice marina in the background that had both my husband and I asking, “Where is that and how come we haven’t been there yet?”

I was the first one to point out the mountain in the background. That’s not Nashville.

Anyway, sure enough, the footage Demonbreun filmed on her cell phone showed a mermaid diving around in the lake. But which part?

It sort of looked like Demonbreun might have been parked at the overlook by the dam. Her reaction while watching the mermaid was great, but also perplexing. She said it seemed like no one else was phased by the sight of the mermaid surfacing and diving and flapping her tail.

However, that would be an unusual sight in the lake, even on a hot summer day. Especially if she was near the dam because swimming isn’t allowed right there. That should have raised eyebrows.

Then again, it happened in 2020. Maybe people were like, “Eh. After all we’ve seen so far this year? A mermaid fits right in.”

Or maybe they had seen a woman strap on a mermaid tail, dive in, and that’s the part Demonbreun missed?

Who knows? But I’m now on a mission to find out. If I can track down Wayuana Demonbreun I’d love to have her on the podcast. Even better, I’d love to meet her at the lake so she can show me exactly where she was when she saw the mermaid.

Speaking of the lake, let’s discover a bit more about it.

Nashville’s Percy Priest Lake

Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, Tennessee, isn’t normally one of the top tourist attractions people flock to see when they visit Music City. Unless they come during the summer and decide they either want to rent a boat or cool off at Nashville Shores, the local water park, that is.

In fact, I’m willing to bet most visitors would be surprised to learn that Nashville has two decent-sized lakes. I think Percy Priest is a bit larger than Old Hickory (I may be wrong about that), but OH has access to the Cumberland River. Some boaters want that so that they can do the Great Loop. (Essentially traveling America’s rivers until they reach the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic.)

Anyway, something I always find interesting about the lake, which is really a reservoir operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, was that it was created when the Stones River was dammed up. The project started in 1963 and was completed in 1968.

In order to do it, however, families and businesses where the lake would be were relocated. I’ve heard tell that most structures were moved, but that a few remain, now submerged. There’s also a cemetery under the lake, but allegedly the bodies were moved before the waters rose too. (I hope so!)

And what about its name? Where does that come from? It was named after J. Percy Priest, a Tennessee congressman.

Percy Priest Lake offers a lot, including a few swimming beaches, camping, fishing, picnic spots, and great hiking trails.

Depending on which side of the lake and part of it you go to, it’s not far from downtown. If you go to the dam and the Stones River Greenway, it’s about 15-20 minutes from downtown (depending on traffic). Same with Nashville Shores. To get to someplace like Long Hunter State Park, which is a little further down on the lake and on the other side, it’ll take you about 30 minutes from downtown. (Again, traffic permitting.)

However, it’s also a blessing in disguise that more people don’t know about PPL because it’s most definitely a hot spot for locals. Especially in the summer. Parking at the recreation, public use areas, marinas, and state parks fills up fast unless you get there early in the morning, luck out, or have a slip at one of the marinas with a parking pass.

Speaking of marinas, now we’re getting to the part why I’m excited the mermaid in Nashville was spotted at Percy Priest Lake.

Why I Care About a Mermaid in Nashville

Last year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I found ourselves drawn to Percy Priest a lot more than normal. We knew our favorite method of jaunting (cruising) wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, but we’re both water dogs at heart and were experiencing withdrawals. The lake was the closest water we could get to. Depending on which part we visit, it’s only about 25-30 minutes from our house.

In fact, my husband is an avid swimmer. One of his favorite Sunday morning summer activities when we’re in town is heading to the swimming beach at Elm Hill Recreation Area. He’ll swim laps and, if I’m feeling ambitious and bushy-tailed enough (he leaves by 6 a.m.), I’ll accompany him and walk on a nearby trail.

Well, all our trips were canceled so he was able to get in his swims every Sunday. (The same can’t be said for my walks.)

Something my husband has always wanted is a sailboat. He spent quarantine watching YouTube sailing shows and I was over it.

“Just look and see if you can find a boat already!” I said.

I didn’t think he would. He’s a terrible tightwad. He’d been making excuses for not buying a boat for 20 years, so I was shocked —and thrilled— when we both fell head-over-heels in love with the second boat we saw and he bought it! Especially when I saw the patio dock that came with it.

Which happens to have a perfect view of the dam. So if that’s where the mermaid was spotted, I’ll be scanning the water from our patio even more carefully now!

Sailor-In-Training

I must admit, sailing scares the bejesus out of me. I’m lazy and it’s a lot of work —and physics! (Not one of my best subjects.)

However, a funny thing has happened the more time we spend on the boat: I’ve started catching the sailing the vibe.

I love, love, love being on the water. Always have. I’m still intimidated by the masts and the sheets and all the new lingo I’m trying to learn, but being on the water…it’s my happy place.

And now that I know there’s something new to look for as we’re cruising from cove to cove? I thought the fact that there’s a cemetery under the lake and a little spot that I call Dragonfly Cove (because they come and land on my hand!) was exciting.

But if I see a mermaid? Well, I always have at least three cameras with me on the boat, including a water-proof action cam one I take in the water with me. Hopefully, I’ll be able to grab one in time and start filming!

Where You’ll Find a Mermaid Skeleton in Nashville 

I don’t know if there’s a mermaid in Percy Priest Lake, but I do know where you might spot a mermaid skeleton —as well as other skeletons. Skales, along with our pirate skeleton, Skullywag, live on our boat!

And Smalls…that clown had a big time out on the water with us this past summer too. Here are some pictures of the Skeleton Crew enjoying the sailing life at Percy Priest Lake this past summer.

For More Info About Percy Priest Lake

Visit https://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/locations/lakes/j-percy-priest-lake/.

Check-In

Did you see the “Mermaid in Nashville” segment of Paranormal Caught on Camera? If so, what did you think? Could it really be a mermaid, or do you think it’s most likely a lady swimming around in a mermaid costume?