Lyle Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Shelby County, Tennessee, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 777 ft long, taller than 74% 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 Lyle Lake Dam
Lyle Lake Dam is a dam in Shelby, Tennessee. The dam is owned by Wilson, Patricia (private). It impounds the Big Creek Drainage Canal.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 777 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 26 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 387 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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 03/26/2025.
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Location
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Shelby |
| River/Stream | Big Creek Drainage Canal |
| Coordinates | 35.33833, -90.02361 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 777 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 387 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 387 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 308 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 26 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Owner | Wilson, Patricia |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN15746 |
| Federal ID | TN15746 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |