Wilcox Lake dam
Wilcox Lake
Wilcox Lake, located in Bullitt, Kentucky, is a federally owned Earth dam completed in 1940 primarily for recreational purposes. Managed by the US Army, this dam stands at 33 feet high and 410 feet long, with a storage capacity of 183 acre-feet and a surface area of 19 acres. The dam is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and adherence to state regulations.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Wilcox Lake is considered a relatively safe structure. While the dam does not have outlet gates, its spillway type is uncontrolled and measures 14 feet wide. The dam is situated on Tr Salt River, within the Louisville District, and is located near Salt River Past West Point. Its unique design and purpose make it a valuable resource for water and climate enthusiasts to explore and learn about the intersection of water management and recreational activities.
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 Wilcox Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt River At Shepherdsville | 193 cfs | → |
| Long Lick At Clermont | 1 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek At Pendelton Road Near Louisville | 0 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Hwy 1442 Near Shepherdsville | 0 cfs | → |
| Pond Creek At Pendleton Road Near Louisville | 11 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Orell Road Near Louisville | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilcox Lake .
Boat launches
- Porter River Road Hardin County
- Bullitt County Boat Ramp
- Cooper Chapel Road Louisville
- Greenwood Road 8203, Louisville
- Lasater Road Louisville
- North 27th Street Louisville
Campgrounds
- Salt River Rec Area
- Salt River Recreation Park
- Camp Carlson Military - Fort Knox
- South Harrison Co Park
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
- Taylorsville Lake State Park
Track Wilcox Lake 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 Wilcox Lake
Where does the data for Wilcox Lake 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 Wilcox Lake .