Sweetwater Creek #17 is an earth dam located in McMinn County, Tennessee, built in 1988. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 43 ft43 ft tall and 1,000 ft long, taller than 89% 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 Sweetwater Creek #17
The primary purpose of Sweetwater Creek #17 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 Sweetwater Creek W.d. (local government). It impounds the Tribsweetwater Creek.
The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 1,000 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 513 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1988, the structure is 38 years old.
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 06/23/2025.
At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Tennessee |
| County | McMinn |
| Nearest City | None |
| River/Stream | Tribsweetwater Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.56056, -84.52750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,000 ft |
| Year Completed | 1988 (38 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 513 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 513 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Sweetwater Creek W.d. |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/23/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN10709 |
| Federal ID | TN10709 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |