Cordell Hull Lock And Dam
Cordell Hull Lock And Dam is a gravity dam located in Smith County, Tennessee, built in 1973. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Cordell Hull Lock And Dam
The primary purpose of Cordell Hull Lock And Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Usace - Nashville District (federal). It impounds the Cumberland River near Carthage.
The dam stands 93 feet tall and stretches 1,306 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11,960 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 310,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8,096 square miles. Completed in 1973, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/09/2020.
At 93 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Smith |
| Nearest City | Carthage |
| River/Stream | Cumberland River |
| Coordinates | 36.29033, -85.94363 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 93 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,306 ft |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 310,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 310,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 258,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11,960 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8,096 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 175,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | USACE - Nashville District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/09/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | TN15901 |
| Federal ID | TN15901 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |