Roadway originally gated a year ago in June of 2024

CELINA-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced access to Dale Hollow Dam will continue to be closed here for most of the upcoming year, after it was gated nearly a year ago in June of 2024 and has not reopened since.

“Dale Hollow Dam Road will continue to remain closed to all traffic across the dam for most of 2025,” a Corps news release written by Leon Roberts announcing the extension said.  “The road closure is for preventive maintenance on and around the roadway.”

The announcement also included comments from Dale Hollow Dam Powerhouse superintendent Stanley Carter.

“Each of these maintenance projects will enhance the long-term viability of Dale Hollow Dam,” Carter said.  “We understand the inconvenience to the visiting public, and their eagerness to visit the dam.

“This maintenance work is necessary and will involve operation of heavy equipment and individuals working long-term in the roadway.  The road closure allows personnel the ability to work in the area without hinderance due to vehicle traffic and provides for public safety.”

Baylen Parker of TheUCNow.com also offered further information from Carter in a story posted on the news website Sunday.

Parker’s online article explained “the bridge section that goes over the spillway area has some concrete issues” and “most of the deterioration is underneath the bridge,” according to Carter.

“It has nothing to do with the integrity of the dam itself, this is just for the roadway,” Parker quoted Carter saying.  “It’s nothing that is what I would say immediate, but it’s one of those things if you don’t address it in the early stages, like what it is right now, then if you let it progress, then it does become a problem.”

The Corps new release explained “maintenance work and painting on the spillway gates just concluded,” and said  “a new contractor is scheduled to mobilize in early May to replace and repair concrete surfacing on the spillway bridge.”

It said staff at Dale Hollow “are currently conducting routine maintenance that would require a road closure.”

During the closure, pedestrians and bicycle traffic are also not allowed across the dam.  The Corps said the closure provides for the safety of employees while making room for the equipment utilized during the preventive maintenance.

Familiar barriers at the intersection of Walker Ridge Road and Will Terry Road, near the south end of the dam, and another at the Dale Hollow Dam Road/Cut Through Road intersection, at the north end of the dam, will remain in place throughout the closure.

For more information from the Corps, visit www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Districts/Nashville-District or  follow Dale Hollow Lake on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalehollowlake.

For Parker’s complete article, visit www.theucnow.com/news.