John Graham

BROWN CREEK· Madison, Tennessee· Built 1981· Earth·
High Hazard State Government

Key Takeaway

John Graham is classified as high hazard in Tennessee. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 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 Length1,000 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage13.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.5K acre-ft
Surface Area439 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDTN11323

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: January 15, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: TENNESSEE SAFE DAMS PROGRAM

Ownership

TWRA

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of John Graham?

John Graham 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 John Graham?

John Graham is owned by TWRA (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was John Graham built?

John Graham was completed in 1981, making it 45 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

When was John Graham last inspected?

John Graham was last inspected on January 15, 2021. 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.