Willow Lake Dam
Willow Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Sumner County, Tennessee, built in 1940. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Willow Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Willow Lake Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Willow Lake H.o.a. (private). It impounds the Trib-w Fork Drakes Creek near Fountain Head.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 545 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 352 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1940, 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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/12/2025.
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 | Sumner |
| Nearest City | Fountain Head |
| River/Stream | Trib-w Fork Drakes Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.54167, -86.49639 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 545 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 352 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 352 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 189 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | Willow Lake H.o.a. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/12/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN16506 |
| Federal ID | TN16506 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |