Wolford Lake Dam dam
Wolford Lake Dam
Wolford Lake Dam, located in Grayson, Kentucky, along the Nolin River, stands as a testament to both engineering prowess and natural beauty. Completed in 1962, this private-owned earth dam boasts a height of 52 feet and a length of 1100 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 566 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, offering visitors a serene escape amidst its 22.8-acre surface area.
Maintained by the Kentucky Division of Water, Wolford Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is rated as moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. With its uncontrolled spillway and picturesque surroundings, Wolford Lake Dam is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking both adventure and relaxation.
As part of the Nashville District, Wolford Lake Dam represents a harmonious blend of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Its strategic location, along with its recreational offerings and ecological significance, make it a valuable asset not just for the local community but also for those who appreciate the intersection of water resources and climate resilience. With its rich history and careful management, Wolford Lake Dam continues to stand as a symbol of the enduring relationship between humans and water bodies.
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 Wolford Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nolin River At White Mills | 74 cfs | → |
| Bacon Creek Near Priceville | 13 cfs | → |
| Green River At Munfordville | 263 cfs | → |
| North Fork Nolin River At Hodgenville | 19 cfs | → |
| Rolling Fork Near Boston | 78 cfs | → |
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wolford Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Briggs Webb Road 1498, Hart County
- Pine Springs Road 668, Grayson County
- Lakeview Circle Grayson County
- Conoloway Court Grayson County
- Nolin Dam Road Edmonson County
- River Road 199, Munfordville
Campgrounds
- Wax - Nolin River Lake
- Loucon Camping And Retreat Center
- Dog Creek - Nolin River Lake
- Moutardier - Nolin River Lake
- Nolin River State Park
- Ferguson Backcountry Campsite
Paddle runs
Track Wolford 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 Wolford Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wolford 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 Wolford Lake Dam.