Franklin

Little Tennessee River· Macon, North Carolina· Built 1925· Gravity· 30 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Franklin is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 52.4% in NC)
Dam Length463 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage500 acre-ft
Surface Area174 acres
Drainage Area310 sq mi
Max Discharge68,000 cfs
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDNC00140

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 21, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Northbrook Carolina Hydro II, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Franklin?

Franklin is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Franklin?

Franklin is owned by Northbrook Carolina Hydro II, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Franklin built?

Franklin was completed in 1925, making it 101 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Franklin?

Franklin serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Franklin?

Franklin has a dam height of 30 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Franklin last inspected?

Franklin was last inspected on September 21, 2022. 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.