Arlington Dam (Lower) dam
Arlington Dam (Lower)
Arlington Dam (Lower), located in Madison County, Kentucky, along the Tate Creek, was completed in 1970 and serves primarily for recreation purposes. The earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 320 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 44.6 acre-feet and a surface area of 3 acres. The dam is state-regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water, with inspections conducted every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Arlington Dam (Lower) has a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," and there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and there are no associated locks or outlet gates. The dam is situated in a picturesque setting, offering opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Arlington Dam (Lower) presents an interesting case study in dam engineering and management. With its location in a beautiful natural setting and its important role in providing recreational opportunities, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship. As efforts continue to assess and mitigate the risks associated with the dam, it stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Arlington Dam (Lower) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 522 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 541 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 461 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 463 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryant Rd Nr Cadentown | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Winchester Rd Nr Lexington | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Arlington Dam (Lower).
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Larimer County
- Lagerman Trail Boulder County
- Filter Plant River Access Point (Put-In)
- Pineview River Access Point (Put-In, Take-Out)
- Bridges River Access Point (Put-In)
- Bridges River Access Point (Take-Out)
Campgrounds
- Flatiron Reservoir
- Carter Lake - North Side Campgrounds
- North Pine Campground
- Pinewood Reservoir
- Carter Lake - South Side Campgrounds
- Pole Hill Road Dispersed Camping
Fishing spots
- Flatiron Reservoir
- Carter Lake
- Pinewood Reservoir
- Lon Hagler Reservoir
- Boedecker Reservoir
- Lonetree Reservoir
Paddle runs
Track Arlington Dam (Lower) 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 Arlington Dam (Lower)
Where does the data for Arlington Dam (Lower) 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 Arlington Dam (Lower).