Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam dam
Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam
Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam in Franklin, Kentucky, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1961 for water supply purposes. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at 25 feet high and spans 246 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 31 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.07 square miles. The dam poses a low hazard potential and has a moderate risk assessment rating, with uncontrolled spillways and outlets. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is currently not available, highlighting the need for further inspection and maintenance.
Located near Sand Ripple Creek-Os, this dam not only serves as a water supply source but also offers recreational opportunities. With a congressman representative of Andy Barr (R), the dam plays a crucial role in the local community. While lacking detailed risk management measures and emergency action plans, the moderate risk rating suggests the importance of monitoring and ensuring the structural integrity of Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find this dam's design and operational details intriguing, as it illustrates the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water systems within the Louisville District.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study of a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes. Its construction on rock and soil foundations, alongside the presence of uncontrolled spillways and outlets, raises questions about its long-term sustainability and safety. With a history dating back to 1961, this dam showcases the complexities of managing water resources in a changing climate and underscores the need for proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
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 Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 3 At Gest | 909 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 2 At Lockport | 2,470 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn Creek Near Frankfort | 114 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 4 At Frankfort | 814 cfs | → |
| South Elkhorn Creek Near Midway | 53 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 5 Near Tyrone | 896 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Crossing Walking Path Scott County
- Us 25 Georgetown
- Hinton Sadieville Road Sadieville
- Tyrone Main Street Anderson County
- Paris Pike Georgetown
- Grange Drive 1412, La Grange
Track Sand Ripple Farm 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 Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sand Ripple Farm 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 Sand Ripple Farm Lake Dam.