23rd largest plant in Tennessee · 2053rd nationally
Cherokee Dam is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 135 MW. It generates roughly 301.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 28,699 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 25% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cherokee Dam |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| City | Rudledge |
| County | Jefferson County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37861 |
| Coordinates | 36.16818, -83.49768 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 34.6 MW | Operating | 1953 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 34.6 MW | Operating | 1942 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 33.4 MW | Operating | 1942 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 32.4 MW | Operating | 1953 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Tennessee Valley Authority |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.