Willisburg Lake Dam dam
Willisburg Lake Dam
Willisburg Lake Dam, located in Polin, Kentucky, is a vital water supply structure designed by John A. Stokley and Associates in 1968. This earth dam stands at a height of 77 feet and stretches 820 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 2351.5 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 126.1 acres. The dam, regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water, serves the primary purpose of supplying water to the surrounding area.
Despite its critical role in water supply, Willisburg Lake Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition with a high hazard potential, indicating the need for immediate attention and maintenance. The last inspection conducted in November 2017 revealed the dam's deteriorating state, prompting concerns among water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam's structural integrity and safety measures must be closely monitored and managed to prevent potential disasters and ensure the continued supply of water to the community.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate sustainability, it is crucial to advocate for the proper maintenance and upkeep of Willisburg Lake Dam to safeguard the surrounding environment and water supply. By raising awareness of the dam's condition and advocating for necessary repairs and improvements, we can contribute to the resilience and longevity of this vital infrastructure for future generations.
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 Willisburg Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beech Fork At Maud | 20 cfs | → |
| Salt River At Glensboro | 16 cfs | → |
| Brashears Creek At Taylorsville | 332 cfs | → |
| Beech Fork At Bardstown | 48 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 6 Near Salvisa | 912 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 5 Near Tyrone | 896 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willisburg Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Van Buren Road Anderson County
- Beaver Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Corps Of Engineers Tailwater Road Spencer County
- Salt River Park Harrodsburg
- Oregon Landing Road Mercer County
- Tyrone Main Street Anderson County
Track Willisburg 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 Willisburg Lake Dam
Where does the data for Willisburg 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 High 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 Willisburg Lake Dam.