Tellico Dam

LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER· Loudon, Tennessee· Built 1979· Concrete· 95 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Other Navigation Recreation Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Tellico Dam is classified as high hazard in Tennessee. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 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	95 ft (taller than 82.7% in TN)
Dam Length	3,238 ft
Dam Type	Concrete
Max Storage	513.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage	392.6K acre-ft

Surface Area	15,600 acres
Drainage Area	2,627 sq mi
Max Discharge	159,000 cfs
Year Completed	1979 (47 years old)
NID ID	TN10506

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: November 5, 2020

State Regulated: No

Ownership

TVA

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Fort Loudoun Dam

Loudon, TN

High Hazard 87 ft

Thompson Lake

Loudon, TN

Significant Hazard

Melton Hill Dam

Loudon, TN

High Hazard 60 ft

Bream Hole Lake

Loudon, TN

Low Hazard

Roy White

Loudon, TN

High Hazard

Hammontree

Loudon, TN

Significant Hazard

D.O.E. Oak Ridge White Oak Dam

Roane, TN

Significant Hazard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Tellico Dam?

Tellico 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 Tellico Dam?

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

When was Tellico Dam built?

Tellico Dam was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Tellico Dam?

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

How tall is Tellico Dam?

Tellico Dam has a dam height of 95 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 Tellico Dam last inspected?

Tellico Dam was last inspected on November 5, 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.