Cove Lake Dam is a gravity dam located in Campbell County, Tennessee, built in 1936. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 240 ft long, taller than 83% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Cove Lake Dam
Cove Lake Dam is a dam in Campbell, Tennessee. The dam is owned by Tdec (state). It impounds the Cove Creek near Caryville.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 240 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 175 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,038 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 41 square miles. Completed in 1936, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 01/12/2026.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Campbell |
| Nearest City | Caryville |
| River/Stream | Cove Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.30500, -84.20389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 240 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,038 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,038 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 175 acres |
| Drainage Area | 41 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Owner | Tdec |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 01/12/2026 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN01305 |
| Federal ID | TN01305 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |