General Butler State Park Lake Dam dam
General Butler State Park Lake Dam
General Butler State Park Lake Dam, located in Carrollton, Kentucky, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1950 for recreational purposes. With a height of 24 feet and a length of 385 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 560 acre-feet, making it a crucial feature of the General Butler State Park Lake. The dam sits on the Kentucky River and is under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Division of Water, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement to maintain its satisfactory condition.
The dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a safe and reliable structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. The uncontrolled spillway type and 31-acre surface area offer a unique opportunity to observe water management practices in action. With its scenic location and historical significance, General Butler State Park Lake Dam provides a captivating setting for visitors to appreciate the intersection of water resource management and recreational activities.
As a key component of the General Butler State Park Lake, this dam serves as a focal point for environmental education and outdoor recreation. The dam's design and construction, overseen by the state of Kentucky, reflect a commitment to sustainable water resource management and public safety. For those interested in water infrastructure and climate resilience, General Butler State Park Lake Dam offers a valuable case study in balancing natural resource conservation with recreational enjoyment in a picturesque setting along the Kentucky River.
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 General Butler State Park Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Markland Dam Near Warsaw | 62,800 cfs | → |
| Indian-Kentuck Creek Nr Canaan | 632 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek At Glencoe | 114 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 2 At Lockport | 806 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 3 At Gest | 561 cfs | → |
| Mud Lick Cr At Hwy 42 Nr Beaverlick | 462 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near General Butler State Park Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 1st Street, Carrollton
- Lafayette Street, Vevay
- East Riverside Drive 7301, Jefferson County
- Milton Boat Ramp
- Craigs Creek Boat Ramp
- Bell Street Bethlehem
Track General Butler State Park Lake Dam 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 General Butler State Park Lake Dam
Where does the data for General Butler State Park Lake Dam 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 Low 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 General Butler State Park Lake Dam.