Burgess Falls Dam
Burgess Falls Dam is a concrete dam located in Putnam County, Tennessee, built in 1928. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Burgess Falls Dam
The primary purpose of Burgess Falls Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Tdec (state). It impounds the Falling Water River near Williams Crossing.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 346 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 89 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,382 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 125 square miles. Completed in 1928, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 10/14/2025.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Putnam |
| Nearest City | Williams Crossing |
| River/Stream | Falling Water River |
| Coordinates | 36.04417, -85.59306 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Length | 346 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,382 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,382 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 89 acres |
| Drainage Area | 125 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Tdec |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/14/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN14107 |
| Federal ID | TN14107 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |