Jennings Creek #3 Dam

Jennings Creek #3 Dam is an earth dam located in Jackson County, Tennessee, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

Hazard potentialHighFailure would probably cost lives
ConditionSatisfactoryBest of 4 ratings
Emergency action planOn file
Last inspection12/03/2025
Height45 ft
Built196264 years ago

Dam profile

NID height · 45 ft
45 FT TWO-STORY HOUSEMEDIAN U.S. DAM · 24 FT

45 ft tall and 302 ft long, taller than 90% 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 embankment section and the water level is illustrative.

About Jennings Creek #3 Dam

Jennings Creek #3 Dam is a dam in Jackson, Tennessee. The dam is owned by Jackson County (local government). It impounds the Hicks Branch near Whitelyville.

The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 302 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 528 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1962, 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. 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 12/03/2025.

At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 90% of dams nationwide.

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

StateTennessee
CountyJackson
Nearest CityWhitelyville
River/StreamHicks Branch
Coordinates36.47361, -85.68750

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height45 ft
Dam Length302 ft
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage528 acre-ft
Max Storage528 acre-ft
Normal Storage58 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

OwnerJackson County
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection12/03/2025
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDTN08706
Federal IDTN08706
More InfoState Dam Safety Program