Cave Fork Lake Dam dam
Cave Fork Lake Dam
Cave Fork Lake Dam in Lee County, Kentucky, stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity, completed in 1955 and serving as a vital water resource for the region. This private-owned earth dam on Sinking Creek boasts a height of 28 feet and a length of 200 feet, with a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet and a surface area of 14.2 acres. Despite its relatively low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam remains state-regulated and inspected, ensuring its safety and functionality.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Cave Fork Lake Dam is designed to serve various purposes beyond flood control, making it a multi-functional structure that contributes to the local ecosystem. With its uncontrolled spillway and state-permitted operations, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts within the area. Although not currently rated for its condition, the dam's infrastructure and design continue to withstand the test of time, providing a reliable water source for the community.
Located in a picturesque setting with a drainage area of 1.43 square miles, Cave Fork Lake Dam represents a harmonious blend of human engineering and natural beauty. As climate change poses new challenges to water resources, this dam stands as a resilient structure that exemplifies the importance of sustainable water management practices. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cave Fork Lake Dam serves as a fascinating example of how infrastructure can coexist with nature to meet the needs of a changing environment.
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 Cave Fork Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 357 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 50 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon Creek At Cressmont | 3 cfs | → |
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 78 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Red River Near Hazel Green | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cave Fork Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Water Street Beattyville
- Natural Bridge Road Powell County
- Ky 399 Heidelberg
- Boat Ramp Road Wolfe County
- Copperas Creek Canoe Launch
Campgrounds
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Koomer Ridge Rec Area
- Koomer Ridge Campground
- 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
Track Cave Fork 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 Cave Fork Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cave Fork 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 Cave Fork Lake Dam.