Wilson Dam at 100: A Century of Powering Progress in the Tennessee Valley

Sep 12, 2025

Contact: Clarissa McClain

Share this Story

Release Summary

Wilson Dam began commercial operation on September 12, 1925.
Wilson Dam is a National Historic Landmark and the largest conventional hydroelectric facility in the TVA system.
The 21 generating units can produce up to 663 MW of electricity, enough to power more than 380,000 homes and businesses across the Tennessee Valley.
Media Kit: Download here.

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) proudly commemorates the 100th anniversary of Wilson Dam, TVA’s largest conventional hydroelectric facility and a National Historic Landmark. Over the past century, Wilson Dam has powered communities, enabled river commerce, and driven economic growth throughout the Tennessee Valley.

Constructed between 1918 and 1924 under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and named after President Woodrow Wilson, Wilson Dam was originally built to support World War I munitions production. TVA acquired Wilson Dam in 1933, making it a cornerstone of a plan to unify the Tennessee River system and modernize the region through rural electrification, flood control, and economic development.

“Wilson Dam has stood as a symbol of American ingenuity and resilience for 100 years,” said Don Moul, TVA President and CEO. “The plant’s enduring contributions to energy, navigation, flood control, and supporting job creation and industrial growth make it a living legacy of progress and prosperity.”

Today, it stands 137 feet high and stretches nearly a mile across the Tennessee River with 21 generating units capable of powering hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the region.

Beyond energy, Wilson Dam transformed the Muscle Shoals section of the Tennessee River, once known for its treacherous shoals, into a navigable waterway. The main lock at Wilson has a maximum lift of 100 feet, making it the highest single-lift lock east of the Rocky Mountains. Along with the auxiliary lock, more than 3,700 vessels and 11 million tons of goods pass through Wilson’s locks each year. TVA owns Wilson Lock and partners with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate and maintain the navigation facilities.

“The Corps of Engineers is very proud of its legacy of constructing this monumental dam with flood risk management, hydropower and navigation benefits," said Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, USACE Nashville District commander. "The Corps most notably remembers the men and women who built and maintained this important asset and joins TVA in celebrating a century of operations at Wilson Dam.”

Wilson Dam Reservoir provides 166 miles of shoreline and 15,500 acres of water surface for recreation, driving economic activity and jobs in Alabama.

TVA is in the process of extending the life of the plant for decades, by refurbishing units as part of the Hydro Life Extension Program to improve dam safety, increase hydro generation output, and fulfill TVA’s mission of service to the Valley.

“Wilson Dam is more than concrete and turbines – it represents innovation, perseverance, and community,” said Tabatha Lolley, Wilson Dam Plant Manager. “As we celebrate its centennial, we honor the generations who built and supported this historic power plant and remain committed to continuing its long-standing impact of transformation and service to the people of the Tennessee Valley.”

Explore the Legacy

TVA invites the public to explore Wilson Dam’s history through a virtual tour video on tva.com. Educational exhibits and a scenic overlook located near the power plant are open to visitors year-round. A century later, Wilson Dam continues to energize the region!

About TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar and advanced technologies. TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission. 

TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA’s residential rates are lower than those paid by 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities, and its industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities. In addition, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Learn more at tva.com.

Contact

Clarissa McClain
TVA Media Relations
[email protected]
423-834-6636

TVA Media Line

Our media staff is available 24 hours a day. If you cannot reach the contact above, please call our media line at 865-632-6000.