Nickajack Dam
Nickajack Dam is a concrete dam located in Marion County, Tennessee, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Nickajack Dam
The primary purpose of Nickajack Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Tva (federal). It impounds the Tennessee River near South Pittsburg.
The dam stands 81 feet tall and stretches 3,767 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10,200 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 251,600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 21,870 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 09/30/2024.
At 81 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Marion |
| Nearest City | South Pittsburg |
| River/Stream | Tennessee River |
| Coordinates | 35.00360, -85.61968 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 81 ft |
| Dam Height | 81 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,767 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 251,600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 251,600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 240,800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10,200 acres |
| Drainage Area | 21,870 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 501,900 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | TVA |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 09/30/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN11502 |
| Federal ID | TN11502 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |