In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Dale Hollow Dam on the Obey River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District invites the public for a free tour of Dale Hollow Dam Hydropower Plant in Celina, Tenn.

Tours for eighth grade students and above is Thursday, May 3, 2018 and Thursday, May 17. Teachers may contact 931-243-3135 for information and to make reservations for student tours.

Free tours for the general public are Saturday, June 16; Saturday, June 30; Saturday, Sept. 15; Saturday, Sept. 29; and Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Tours of the facility are limited to 25 persons and each tour begins at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 a.m. Central Time.

Pre-registration is required for all tour guests (including minors). The deadline to register is Friday, one week prior to each tour date. Personal information collected during sign-up is used for security background checks.

Sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080948a4a92eaafa7-dale

NOTE: You must provide full name, address, phone number, driver’s license, state of issue, for every person 18 and over signed up for the tour. If it is not provided, that person will not be allowed to participate in the tour upon arrival. When signing up, each individual must have a different e-mail address or the website will not accept additional signups for additional family members.

Tour Details and Rules

Only visitors with approval and confirmation will be permitted on the tour. No substitutions or additions are allowed.

All participants over 16 years of age must provide photo identification upon arrival for the tour.

Visitors may not carry packages, backpacks, or other containers during the tour.

No high-heel, open heel shoes, including clogs and crocs or bare feet, will be allowed on a tour. Tennis shoes are recommended.

All children 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult during the tour.

Any increase in threat conditions can result in approved tours being canceled with little notice. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

An e-mail will be sent to anyone signed up for a tour if for any reason a tour is canceled.

All guests should arrive at the gate next to the Hydropower Plant at least 15 minutes prior to the tour time for check in.

All facilities are NOT ADA accessible. Every effort will made to accommodate any need that is known in advance of the tour.

Photographs and video recording of the interior of the power plant is strictly prohibited.

Directions:

Dale Hollow Dam Powerhouse

305 Powerhouse Road

Celina, Tennessee 38551

From Celina, Tenn., take Highway 53 North for two miles. Turn right onto Dale Hollow Dam Road, then take the third right onto Powerhouse Road. Park alongside the main access road.

Background

In 2018 Dale Hollow Dam is celebrating 75 years of operation and meeting the mission for which it was designed. Authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, the dam continues to provide flood risk reduction and support its other intended purposes such as hydropower, water supply, environmental stewardship, and outdoor recreation.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District designed Dale Hollow Dam and Morrison-Knudsen, private contractors under the supervision of the Corps, built the dam. The Corps awarded the contract Dec. 30, 1941 and mobilization, clearing and construction of roadways and support structures began immediately. Construction of the dam began March 2, 1942. With sister construction of civil works projects suspended due to war, Dale Hollow Dam was rushed to completion Oct. 20, 1943, but discontinued construction of the powerhouse.

Dale Hollow Dam was the first of its kind completed in the Nashville District.

The Corps fully impounded Dale Hollow Lake May 7, 1944. Work on the powerhouse resumed in July 1946.

Three Francis turbines were installed in December 1948, January 1949 and November 1953. Each unit generates 18,000 kilowatts for a total of 54,000 kilowatts, enough power to electrify a community of 45,000 and provide support to the national grid.

The dam impounds a length of 61 miles of the Obey River creating Dale Hollow Lake with 620 miles of shoreline, 27,700 acres of water, and 24,842 acres of land for recreational opportunities.