Map of All 1,231 Tennessee Dams
Tennessee has 1,231 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 277 are classified as high hazard (23% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 3 Tennessee dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Tennessee dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Tennessee to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Tennessee Dams by the Numbers
- 1,231 total dams in Tennessee
- 277 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 347 significant hazard
- 607 low hazard
- 14 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (5 poor, 9 unsatisfactory)
- 3 Tennessee dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Tennessee
The tallest dam in Tennessee is Gum Branch Dam at 447 feet, completed in 1981. The 10 tallest Tennessee dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gum Branch Dam | 447 ft | 1981 | Tailings | Fair | Anderson |
| Tennessee Consolidated Coal #1 Dam | 340 ft | 1976 | – | Satisfactory | Marion |
| Watauga Dam | 332 ft | 1948 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Carter |
| South Holston Dam | 285 ft | 1950 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sullivan |
| Norris Dam | 265 ft | 1936 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Campbell |
| Raccoon Mountain Dam | 230 ft | 1978 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Marion |
| Calderwood | 230 ft | 1930 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Blount |
| Solutia #15 Dam | 227 ft | 1977 | – | Satisfactory | Maury |
| Douglas Dam | 202 ft | 1943 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Sevier |
| Dale Hollow Dam | 200 ft | 1943 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Clay |
High-Hazard Tennessee Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 3 dams in Tennessee. Notable examples:
- Tellico Dam (62 ft, Monroe County) — Unsatisfactory condition
- Twin Lakes Dams (59 ft, Bledsoe County) — Other, Poor condition
- Pressmans Home Dam (38 ft, Hawkins County) — Unsatisfactory condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Tennessee
Dam safety in Tennessee is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Tennessee?
Tennessee has 1,231 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 277 high hazard, 347 significant hazard, and 607 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Tennessee?
The tallest dam in Tennessee is Gum Branch Dam at 447 feet, completed in 1981. It is primarily a tailings structure.
How many Tennessee dams are in poor condition?
14 Tennessee dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 3 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
