Dunham Lake Dam dam
Dunham Lake Dam
Dunham Lake Dam, also known as Edmonton City Lake, is a local government-owned structure located in Metcalfe, Kentucky. Completed in 1955, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 18 acres and a storage capacity of 240 acre-feet. Situated on the Little Barren River, the dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 560 feet in length.
Despite its scenic surroundings and recreational amenities, Dunham Lake Dam has been classified as having a significant hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. The dam's spillway, with a width of 16 feet, is uncontrolled, which may pose risks during times of high water flow. The last inspection in September 2017 raised concerns about the dam's structural integrity, prompting the need for improved risk management measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts keen on exploring Dunham Lake Dam should be aware of its maintenance issues and the potential risks associated with its condition. With a moderate risk assessment rating and a history of poor maintenance, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive monitoring and upkeep of critical infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 Dunham Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Creek Near Columbia | 13 cfs | → |
| Green River At Munfordville | 278 cfs | → |
| Bacon Creek Near Priceville | 13 cfs | → |
| Salt Lick Creek Below Red Boiling Springs | 27 cfs | → |
| North Fork Nolin River At Hodgenville | 19 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Monticello | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dunham Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Riverbrook Trail Cumberland County
- Cumberland County
- Taylor County
- Beaver Creek Boat Ramp Road Barren County
- River Road 199, Munfordville
- State Park Road Barren County
Track Dunham 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 Dunham Lake Dam
Where does the data for Dunham 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 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 Dunham Lake Dam.