Andy Ogles Submits Legislative Request for Columbia Dam Feasibility Study

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has submitted an official legislative request seeking authority for a feasibility study on reconstructing the long-discussed Columbia Dam, according to media sources.

Approximately 250,000 people rely on the Duck River for water, and concerns about its stability have grown in recent years. In 2024, portions of the river nearly dried up during a severe drought, highlighting its vulnerability.

Media reports state that Ogles and other congressional delegates across Tennessee have been working to secure funding for the feasibility study. In a post on Facebook, Ogles announced that he submitted a request to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to grant the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority to conduct the study. The goal would be to evaluate the potential reconstruction of the Columbia Dam project, which was halted in the 1980s.

Jason Gilliam, chair of Columbia Dam Now, said his organization is encouraged by Ogles’ request and believes the feasibility study could address concerns raised by opponents and help identify solutions to regional water challenges. Gilliam acknowledged that members of the Duck River Conservancy have expressed concerns that constructing a dam and creating a reservoir could negatively impact the river.

In July 2025, the board of directors for the Duck River Conservancy voted to oppose efforts to revive the Columbia Dam project. The organization has expressed concerns about potential environmental and health impacts associated with constructing a new reservoir.

A spokesperson for the Duck River Conservancy said the group continues to stand by its opposition, citing what it believes would be serious environmental and public health consequences if the dam were built.

The proposed study would mark a significant step in revisiting the decades-old project as local and state leaders continue to weigh long-term water solutions for Maury County and surrounding areas.