Otter Dam
Otter Dam is an earth dam located in Shelby County, Tennessee, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Otter Dam
Otter Dam is a dam in Shelby, Tennessee. The dam is owned by Forest Lakes Association (private). It impounds the Loosahatchie River near Memphis.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 440 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1954, 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 08/22/2024.
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 | Shelby |
| Nearest City | Memphis |
| River/Stream | Loosahatchie River |
| Coordinates | 35.23500, -89.91389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 440 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 160 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 88 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Owner | Forest Lakes Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/22/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN15702 |
| Federal ID | TN15702 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |