Fall Creek Falls

FALLS CREEK· Van Buren, Tennessee· Built 1970· Earth·
High Hazard State Government

Key Takeaway

Fall Creek Falls is classified as high hazard in Tennessee. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Length1,050 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage9.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.1K acre-ft
Surface Area250 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDTN17501

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: August 18, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TENNESSEE SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

TDEC

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fall Creek Falls?

Fall Creek Falls is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Fall Creek Falls?

Fall Creek Falls is owned by TDEC (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fall Creek Falls built?

Fall Creek Falls was completed in 1970, making it 56 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

When was Fall Creek Falls last inspected?

Fall Creek Falls was last inspected on August 18, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.