Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam dam
Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam
Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam, also known as Lake Mistake, is a gravity dam located in Bell County, Kentucky. Built in 1960 by the Department of Parks, this state-owned structure serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene getaway for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 191 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 200 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres.
Situated on Clear Creek, the dam is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, the dam poses minimal risk to the surrounding area. In the event of an emergency, appropriate risk management measures are in place to address any potential concerns. Overall, Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam presents a picturesque landscape for outdoor recreation while maintaining a commitment to safety and environmental preservation.
Visitors to Pine Mountain State Park can enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking in the beautiful surroundings of the dam and its reservoir. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and moderate risk assessment add to the allure of this recreational area, providing a unique blend of natural beauty and engineering marvel. Whether exploring the trails or simply admiring the scenic views, Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam offers a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the intersection of nature and human ingenuity.
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 Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Powell River Near Arthur | 577 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River Near Harlan | 348 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Above Smith | 51 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Near Smith | 29 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 517 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Williamsburg | 1,630 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Boat Access Claiborne County
- Wells Springs Road Campbell County
- Highway 33 South 5799, Claiborne County
- Claiborne County
- Whitley County
- Redbird Road Whitley County
Campgrounds
- Pine Mountain State Park
- Gibson Gap
- Wilderness Road - Cumberland Gap National Park
- Martins Fork Cabin
- Bunch Hollow Campground & Resort
- Camp Cargill
Paddle runs
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
Track Pine Mountain 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 Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pine Mountain 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 Pine Mountain State Park Lake Dam.