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DALE HOLLOW LAKE AND DAM

A Fisherman's Funland

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Harbor Act of 1943. Power generating units were added in 1948, 1949 and 1953. The project was designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and built by private contractors under the supervision of the Corps. For more on the history of Dale Hollow Lake, click here or here.

To see the dam under construction, watch this video on YouTube: Video

The dam, power-plant and reservoir are operated by the Nashville District of the Corps of Engineers. The Corp of Engineers page about Dale Hollow Lake, including numerous resources about fishing and water activities are included here.

Dale Hollow Dam is located approximately three miles East of Celina, Tenn., on the Obey River, 7.3 miles above its juncture with the Cumberland River at river mile 380.9. Dale Hollow Lake covers portions of Clay, Pickett, Overton and Fentress Counties in Tennessee and Clinton and Cumberland Counties in Kentucky. The project consists of 27,700 surface acres of water and 24,842 acres of surrounding land.

Minimum pool elevation is 631 feet above mean sea level (msl) (21,880 acres), normal pool elevation is 651 feet msl (27,700 acres) and maximum flood control pool is 663 feet msl (30,990 acres). Water fluctuations of 10 to 20 feet can occur throughout the year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls water levels.

The entire shoreline is under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The length is 620 miles at normal summer pool. Most of the shoreline is heavily wooded, and rock outcroppings are common. Development is restricted to marinas and day-use areas

Dale Hollow Lake: About
Dale Hollow Lake: Video

FACTS

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Harbor Act of 1943. 


Power generating units were added in 1948, 1949 and 1953. 

Designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and built by private contractors under the supervision of he Corps. 


For more on the history of Dale Hollow Lake, click here or here.



To see the dam under construction, watch this video on YouTube: Video


The dam, power-plant and reservoir are operated by the Nashville District of the Corps of Engineers. 

The Corp of Engineers page about Dale Hollow Lake, including numerous resources about fishing and water activities are included here.

Dale Hollow Dam is located approximately three miles East of Celina, Tenn., on the Obey River, 7.3 miles above its juncture with the Cumberland River at river mile 380.9. Dale Hollow Lake covers portions of Clay, Pickett, Overton and Fentress Counties in Tennessee and Clinton and Cumberland Counties in Kentucky.


The project consists of

  • 27,700 surface acres of water

  • 24,842 acres of surrounding land.

Obey River

  • Length: 620 miles (normal summer pool)

  • Minimum Pool Elevation: 631 feet above msl (21,880 acres)

  • Normal Pool Elevation: 651 feet msl (27,700 acres)

  • Maximum flood control pool is 663 feet msl (30,990 acres).

Water fluctuations of 10 to 20 feet can occur throughout the year.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls water levels.

The entire shoreline is under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.


Most of the shoreline is heavily wooded, and rock outcroppings are common. Development is restricted to marinas and day-use areas.

*(mean sea level (msl)

Dale Hollow Lake: Text
Website - Dale Hollow Map.jpg
Dale Hollow Lake: Image
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