Pickwick Landing Dam

TENNESSEE RIVER· Hardin, Tennessee· Built 1938· Concrete· 51 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Pickwick Landing Dam is classified as high hazard in Tennessee. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 Height 51 ft (taller than 66.7% in TN)
Dam Length7,715 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage1.5M acre-ft
Normal Storage1.1M acre-ft
Surface Area42,700 acres
Drainage Area32,820 sq mi
Max Discharge1,112,000 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDTN07101

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: May 22, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

TVA

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pickwick Landing Dam?

Pickwick Landing Dam 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 Pickwick Landing Dam?

Pickwick Landing Dam is owned by TVA (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pickwick Landing Dam built?

Pickwick Landing Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Pickwick Landing Dam?

Pickwick Landing Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Navigation, Recreation, Hydroelectric, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Pickwick Landing Dam?

Pickwick Landing Dam has a dam height of 51 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 Pickwick Landing Dam last inspected?

Pickwick Landing Dam was last inspected on May 22, 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.