Norris Dam
Norris Dam is a concrete dam located in Campbell County, Tennessee, built in 1936. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Norris Dam
The primary purpose of Norris Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Tva (federal). It impounds the Clinch River near Clinton.
The dam stands 265 feet tall and stretches 1,860 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 34,000 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,363,168 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,912 square miles. Completed in 1936, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/16/2025.
At 265 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Tennessee dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Campbell |
| Nearest City | Clinton |
| River/Stream | Clinch River |
| Coordinates | 36.22407, -84.09263 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 265 ft |
| Dam Height | 236 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,860 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,363,168 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,363,168 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,040,507 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 34,000 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2,912 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 250,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | TVA |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 09/16/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN01302 |
| Federal ID | TN01302 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |