Beshear Lake dam
Beshear Lake
Beshear Lake, also known as Piney Creek Lake, is a state-owned water resource located in Caldwell, Kentucky. Built in 1962 by L. E. Gregg and Associates, this Earth type dam serves primarily for water supply purposes. With a height of 38 feet and a length of 550 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 17,837 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 794 acres. The lake is fed by Piney Creek and is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Beshear Lake remains a vital source of water for Dawson Springs and surrounding areas. The dam has undergone regular inspections by the state regulatory agency, with the last assessment conducted in March 2017. The spillway, with a width of 100 feet, is of the uncontrolled type, and the dam has a moderate risk rating of 3.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Beshear Lake offers a fascinating study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental management, and public safety. As efforts continue to maintain and improve the dam's condition, the lake stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing demands on freshwater sources. With its rich history and critical role in the region's water supply, Beshear Lake remains a key focal point for those interested in the dynamic relationship between water resources and climate resilience.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Beshear Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tradewater River At Olney | 23 cfs | → |
| Pond River Near Apex | 18 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Cadiz | 485 cfs | → |
| Green River At Lock 2 At Calhoun | 884 cfs | → |
| Green River At Paradise | 978 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Old Shawneetown | 259,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beshear Lake.
Boat launches
- Rockcastle Road Trigg County
- Forest Service Road 118 Lyon County
- Forest Service Road 138-B Lyon County
- Parkview Shores Road 2603, Trigg County
- Forest Service Road 136-C Trigg County
- Cr-1373d Trigg County
Campgrounds
- Cravens Bay Campground & Boat Ramp At Land Between The Lakes
- Demumbers Bay Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp At Land Between The Lakes
- Birmangham Ferry Backcountry Area & Boat Ramp At Land Between The Lakes
- Nickell Branch Basic Campground - Land Between The Lakes
Paddle runs
- Russell Cemetery, Approx 1/4 Mile North Of Karbers Ridge Road To Proclamation Boundary, 1 Mile Nw Of Elizabethtown,Il
- Bridge At Eddyville Blacktop To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda,Il
- Wallace Cemetery Approx 2.5 Miles Nw Of Herod, Il To Confluence With Ohio River At Golconda Jobs Corp Center
Track Beshear Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Beshear Lake
Where does the data for Beshear Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Beshear Lake.