List of dams and reservoirs in the United States facts for kids

The many dams across the United States in 2006. A "major dam" is at least 50 feet (15 meters) tall or holds a lot of water.

Dams are big walls built across rivers to hold back water, creating a reservoir or a lake. These man-made lakes are super useful! They help us store water for drinking, grow crops, and even make electricity. Dams also help control floods and create fun places for boating and fishing.

The United States has around 84,000 dams. These dams hold back water in about 17% of the nation's rivers. That's a lot of water being managed! This article shares a list of some important dams and reservoirs in different states.

Dams Across the States

Dams in Colorado

Colorado has many dams and reservoirs, often used for water supply and recreation.

• Aurora Reservoir is a large lake near Aurora.
• Dillon Reservoir is a popular spot for sailing and fishing.
• Green Mountain Reservoir helps store water for the Colorado-Big Thompson project.
• Horsetooth Reservoir is also part of the Colorado-Big Thompson project, which moves water across the state.
• McPhee Dam creates McPhee Reservoir, a big lake in southwestern Colorado.

Dams in Connecticut

Connecticut's dams help manage water and create lakes for different uses.

• Candlewood Lake is the largest lake in Connecticut, created by a dam.
• Mansfield Hollow Dam forms Mansfield Hollow Lake, which is used for flood control.
• Stevenson Dam on the Housatonic River creates Lake Zoar.

Dams in Georgia

Georgia has many important dams, often built by groups like the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) or the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

• Allatoona Dam forms Lake Allatoona, a busy recreational lake.
• Blue Ridge Dam was built by the TVA in 1930.
• Buford Dam created Lake Lanier, a huge and popular lake near Atlanta.
• Carters Dam forms Carter's Lake, the deepest lake in Georgia.
• J. Strom Thurmond Dam creates Lake Strom Thurmond, which is shared with South Carolina.
• Hartwell Dam also creates a lake, Lake Hartwell, that crosses into South Carolina.
• The Kelly Barnes Dam failed in 1977, causing a sad event where 39 people lost their lives. This shows why dam safety is so important.
• Richard B. Russell Dam forms Richard B. Russell Lake, another lake shared with South Carolina.

Dams in Illinois

Illinois has dams that help with river navigation and water control.

• Kaskaskia Lock and Dam helps boats move along the Kaskaskia River.
• McHenry Dam is on the Fox River, helping to manage water levels.

Dams in Louisiana

Louisiana's dams are important for water management in the state.

• Toledo Bend Reservoir is a very large lake shared with Texas.

Dams in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has many dams, some of which are very old.

• Great Stone Dam on the Merrimack River is a historic dam.
• Holyoke Dam is another important dam on the Connecticut River.
• Wachusett Dam creates Wachusett Reservoir, a key water source for Boston.
• Winsor Dam is part of the Quabbin Reservoir, one of the largest water supplies in the world.

Dams in Mississippi

Mississippi's dams help manage rivers and create lakes.

• Ross Barnett Reservoir is a large lake near Jackson, Mississippi.
• Grenada Lake is another significant reservoir in the state.

Dams in Missouri

Missouri is known for its many large lakes created by dams.

• Lake of the Ozarks is a huge, winding lake popular for vacations.
• Mark Twain Lake is named after the famous author.
• Table Rock Lake is a popular tourist spot that extends into Arkansas.
• Truman Reservoir is the largest lake in Missouri.

Dams in New Mexico

New Mexico's dams are vital for water storage in a dry region.

• Abiquiu Lake is a large reservoir on the Chama River.
• Cochiti Dam is one of the largest earth-fill dams in the US.
• Elephant Butte Dike is part of the largest reservoir in New Mexico.
• Navajo Lake is a big lake on the San Juan River.

Dams in North Carolina

North Carolina has many dams, often used for power generation and water supply.

• Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the eastern United States, built by the TVA.
• Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in North Carolina.
• Jordan Lake is a large reservoir built by the USACE.
• Lake Lure is a scenic lake known for its beautiful surroundings.

Dams in Ohio

Ohio's dams help control floods and create recreational lakes.

• Alum Creek Lake is a popular lake for boating and fishing.
• Dillon Lake is used for flood control and recreation.
• Grand Lake St. Marys was originally built as a reservoir for a canal.

Dams in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, thanks to its many dams.

• Broken Bow Lake is known for its clear water and beautiful scenery.
• Keystone Lake is a large reservoir near Tulsa.
• Lake Murray is Oklahoma's oldest and largest state park lake.
• Lake Thunderbird is an important water source for nearby cities.

Dams in Oregon

Oregon's dams are often used for hydropower and irrigation.

• Applegate Lake is a reservoir in southern Oregon.
• Detroit Lake and Detroit Dam are on the North Santiam River.
• John Day Dam and McNary Dam are large dams on the Columbia River, shared with Washington.
• Lost Creek Lake is a major reservoir on the Rogue River.
• Owyhee Reservoir is one of the largest in Oregon.

Dams in South Carolina

South Carolina shares several large lakes with Georgia.

• Lake Jocassee is a deep, clear lake in the mountains.
• Lake Murray is a large lake near Columbia, created by the Saluda Dam.
• Lake Moultrie is another large lake in the state.

Dams in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to many dams built by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which provides electricity and manages rivers.

• Boone Dam and Boone Lake are on the South Fork Holston River.
• Cherokee Dam and Cherokee Lake were built quickly during World War II.
• Chickamauga Dam and Chickamauga Lake are on the Tennessee River.
• Douglas Dam and Douglas Lake were also built during World War II.
• Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the eastern US.
• Norris Dam was the first major project of the TVA.
• Pickwick Landing Dam is a large dam on the Tennessee River.
• Raccoon Mountain Pumped-Storage Plant uses a reservoir on top of a mountain to generate power.

Dams in Virginia

Virginia's dams help with flood control and power generation.

• Claytor Dam creates Claytor Lake, a popular recreational area.
• John H. Kerr Dam forms John H. Kerr Lake, which is shared with North Carolina.
• Smith Mountain Dam creates Smith Mountain Lake, a large and popular lake.

Dams in Washington

Washington state has some of the largest dams in the US, especially on the Columbia River.

• Bonneville Dam is a major dam on the Columbia River, known for its fish ladders.
• Chief Joseph Dam is another large dam on the Columbia River.
• Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the United States. It creates Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake.
• Ice Harbor Lock and Dam is one of several dams on the lower Snake River.
• Ross Dam and Ross Lake are part of a series of dams on the Skagit River.

Dams in Other Areas

• In the District of Columbia, there are reservoirs like Dalecarlia Reservoir and Georgetown Reservoir that help supply water to the city.
• Puerto Rico also has dams and reservoirs, such as those listed in List of dams and reservoirs in Puerto Rico.

More to Explore

• List of dam removals in the United States
• List of lakes of the United States
• List of rivers of the United States