A tow boat moving barges through Old Hickory Lock and Dam Feb. 15, 2022 headed downstream on the Cumberland River was truly a site to see. The dam project provides for navigation and has a rich history of service to the region.
Old Hickory Lock and Dam, located on the Cumberland River at mile 216.2 in Sumner and Davidson Counties, Tennessee, is approximately 25 miles upstream from Nashville. Hendersonville is situated on the northern shoreline of the lake and Old Hickory is located on the southern side of the lake, just upstream of the lock and dam. The lake extends 97.3 miles upstream to Cordell Hull Lock and Dam in Carthage, Tenn.
Old Hickory Lock and Dam was authorized for construction by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1946 as a unit of a comprehensive development plan for the Cumberland River Basin. The project was designed and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. Construction started in January 1952, and dam closure was completed in June 1954. The project was completed for full beneficial use in December 1957 with the placement of the final hydroelectric power unit in operation. The Nashville District operates and maintains the lock, dam, powerhouse, and lake.
Old Hickory Lake contains 22,500 surface acres of water at an elevation of 445 feet above mean sea level. Water level fluctuations are minimal with minimum pool elevation at 442 feet MSL. Public facilities include eight commercial marinas, two Corps operated campgrounds, and 41 boat access sites. The dam provides hydropower, navigation and recreation benefits.
In 2020 a total of 1,616 vessels navigated through Old Hickory Lock. Of those, 1,172 were recreational vessels, 439 were commercial, and five were other types. A total of 1,930 barges moved through the lock that year.
