Paris Lower City Dam dam
Paris Lower City Dam
The Paris Lower City Dam in Bourbon, Kentucky, is a gravity dam completed in 1956 with a primary purpose of water supply from Stoner Creek. Designed by Howard K. Bell from Lexington, KY, this structure stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 127 feet in length, holding a storage capacity of 584 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the KY Division of Water and has a low hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of August 2017.
Located in the city of Paris, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the community, ensuring a reliable water supply for residents and businesses. The dam's uncontrolled spillway type signifies its ability to release excess water during periods of high flow, mitigating the risk of flooding downstream. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the Paris Lower City Dam is subject to regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding area.
Managed by the local government, this dam on Stoner Creek plays a critical role in water management and supply for the region. As an essential piece of infrastructure, it highlights the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience, showcasing the importance of sustainable practices in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
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 Paris Lower City Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hinkston Creek Near Carlisle | 3 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Winchester Rd Nr Lexington | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryant Rd Nr Cadentown | 0 cfs | → |
| North Elkhorn Creek At Georgetown | 27 cfs | → |
| Wolf Run At Old Frankfort Pike At Lexington | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paris Lower City Dam.
Boat launches
- 4 H Street Nicholas County
- Paris Pike Georgetown
- Us 25 Georgetown
- Great Crossing Walking Path Scott County
- Hinton Sadieville Road Sadieville
- Robinson Road 2794, Harrison County
Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campground
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Three Springs Campground
Fishing spots
- Boat Launch
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Paris Lower City 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 Paris Lower City Dam
Where does the data for Paris Lower City 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 Paris Lower City Dam.