Cannon Creek Dam dam
Cannon Creek Dam
Cannon Creek Dam, also known as Cannon Creek Lake, is a state-owned structure located in Bell, Kentucky. Built in 1972 by the Kentucky Division of Water/Department of Natural Resources, this earth dam stands at a height of 125 feet and spans 900 feet in length. Its primary purpose is to serve as a water supply source for the surrounding area, with a storage capacity of 16,700 acre-feet and a surface area of 243 acres.
Situated on Yellow Creek, Cannon Creek Dam is regulated and permitted by the Kentucky Division of Water. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2018 rated it as fair. With a moderate risk assessment level of 3, the dam has emergency action plans in place, although the last revision was in 2013. While no federal agency funding or involvement has been noted, the dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cannon Creek Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management. Its location in the Nashville District and close proximity to Fernvale, Kentucky, makes it a key player in the local water supply infrastructure. With ongoing inspections and enforcement by state authorities, the dam's role in flood control and water storage remains vital to the community. Despite its age, Cannon Creek Dam continues to stand as a testament to effective water resource planning and management in Kentucky.
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 Cannon Creek 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 | → |
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 517 cfs | → |
| Clinch River Above Tazewell | 1,690 cfs | → |
| Martins Fork Near Smith | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cannon Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Boat Access Claiborne County
- Wells Springs Road Campbell County
- Highway 33 South 5799, Claiborne County
- Claiborne County
- Redbird Road Whitley County
- Lee Highway 5475, Bean Station
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 Cannon Creek 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 Cannon Creek Dam
Where does the data for Cannon Creek 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 Cannon Creek Dam.