Columbia Dam Rebuild By TVA Vs. Local Cost Of Pipeline

Second Installment in Series

Image: Historic photo of the construction of the former Columbia Dam on Duck River from 1977. Image Credit: TVA via Columbia Dam Now

The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –

Maury County, Tennessee and surrounding areas are at an inflection point in solving their current water supply woes, economic development initiatives, and population growth. A solution hinges on the Tennessee Valley Authority.

On one hand, local ratepayers may have to spend nearly $2 billion dollars to build a 30-mile pipeline from the Cumberland River to the Mallory Valley Utility District, a water treatment facility, and two pump stations to meet water demand.

Such a facility would impact 169 private landowners along the pipeline route, possibly involving property takings by eminent domain.

Maury County alone has around 10,000 requests for building permits, each requiring water service. As of now, the water system is approved for 20 million gallons of water output per day with the demand reaching nearly 19 million gallons per day, thin ice for a county water system.

Malory Valley Utility District has a request for 51 million gallons of water per day in one of three models to draw water from the Cumberland River by pipeline, pending approval by the Army Corp of Engineers.

A grassroots group, Columbia Dam Now is suggesting an alternative, the rebuilding of the Columbia Dam on the Duck River to meet the water needs of local utilities over the next century of growth. 

Certain activists have expressed concerns about the Columbia Dam and its headwaters potentially located on Karst geology, a concern that is disputed by proponents of the dam.

“The Columbia Dam in Maury County could be a 100-year solution to the area’s water woes. Many have stated that the original Columbia Dam project was halted due to the Karst geology that exists at the project site. It is interesting to note that The Center Hill dam is built and has successfully operated on Karst Geology for 74 years and it’s not the only one. Major maintenance has been needed, but was performed and was successful. Had Engineers known the long-term challenges facing Center Hill, they would have been able to avoid much of the recent work performed on the dam by instituting those measures and the beginning of construction. It is important to note that Center Hill is the second deepest lake in Tennessee. Wolf Creek Dam and the Dale Hollow Dam have also been successfully managed on Karst geology for decades.” – said Jason Gilliam, Maury County Water Board

Putting the cost into perspective, a pipeline and treatment facilities would cost the local utility ratepayers around 2 billion dollars. A TVA rebuild of the Columbia Dam would be borne by federal dollars. Congressman Andy Ogles (R-Tennessee, District 5), who represents the area, was asked if a cost study was under way to rebuild the Columbia Dam. 

His office commented as follows.

“Yes, we can confirm that Congressman Ogles is actively working with Chairman Fleischmann (TN-03) and the House Appropriations Committee to explore what steps can be taken at a federal level to allow for a dam to be built along the Duck River – a feasibility study is the first part of that process.” – Said Giancarlo Mandato, Spokesperson for Congressman Andy Ogles

To the benefit of residents, a new lake, created by a Columbia Dam rebuild, would generate nearly 300 million dollars of local economic impact for the region. In a 2017 study, the University of Tennessee estimated that a similar size lake would generate 278.6 million dollars of economic impact annually.

About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.