Mill Creek Lake Dam dam
Mill Creek Lake Dam
Located in Natural Bridge State Park in Powell County, Kentucky, the Mill Creek Lake Dam is a state-owned structure designed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Completed in 1964, the dam stands at a height of 55 feet and stretches for 800 feet across the Red River. Primarily used for recreational purposes, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 880 acre-feet and a total storage of 1840 acre-feet.
With a spillway width of 150 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, the Mill Creek Lake Dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in October 2016. While the dam poses a moderate risk, the Kentucky Division of Water regulates, inspects, and enforces safety measures for the structure. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the unique location of the dam within a state park, offering both recreational opportunities and a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
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 Mill Creek Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River Near Hazel Green | 10 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 50 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 387 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 45 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Slate Creek At Highway 713 Nr Mt. Sterling | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Creek Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Natural Bridge Road Powell County
- Boat Ramp Road Wolfe County
- Copperas Creek Canoe Launch
- Big Branch Canoe Launch
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Water Street Beattyville
Campgrounds
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Koomer Ridge Campground
- Koomer Ridge Rec Area
- Tunnel Ridge Road
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
- Callies
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Boat Launch
Paddle runs
Track Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek Lake Dam.