Tallassee Shoals

Middle Oconee River· Jackson, Georgia· Built 1986· Gravity· 37 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Tallassee Shoals is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 37 ft (taller than 89.2% in GA)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage270 acre-ft
Surface Area18 acres
Drainage Area345 sq mi
Max Discharge35,000 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDGA00845

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: No
Last Inspection: March 21, 2023
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Oglethorpe Power Corporation

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Tallassee Shoals?

Tallassee Shoals 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 Tallassee Shoals?

Tallassee Shoals is owned by Oglethorpe Power Corporation (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Tallassee Shoals built?

Tallassee Shoals was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Tallassee Shoals?

Tallassee Shoals 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 Tallassee Shoals?

Tallassee Shoals has a dam height of 37 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 Tallassee Shoals last inspected?

Tallassee Shoals was last inspected on March 21, 2023. 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.