Jim Brown Lake dam
Jim Brown Lake
Jim Brown Lake, located in Mercer County, Kentucky, is a private water resource managed by the Kentucky Division of Water. Constructed in 1972, this Earth dam stands at 25 feet tall and stretches 250 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the reservoir is recreation, offering a serene escape for visitors to enjoy activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking on its 6-acre surface area.
Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the CHAPLIN RIVER, Jim Brown Lake boasts a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam is state-regulated and routinely inspected, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. While its condition is currently not rated, the reservoir ensures public safety with its uncontrolled spillway and emergency action plan protocols.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the tranquil ambiance of Jim Brown Lake, which plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation. With its sustainable management practices and commitment to safety, this reservoir stands as a testament to responsible water resource stewardship in the heart of Kentucky.
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 Jim Brown Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge | 3,540 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 6 Near Salvisa | 912 cfs | → |
| Dix River Near Danville | 4 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 463 cfs | → |
| Salt River At Glensboro | 16 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 Jim Brown Lake.
Boat launches
- Salt River Park Harrodsburg
- Oregon Landing Road Mercer County
- Beaver Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Lakeside Drive 1098, Garrard County
- Tyrone Main Street Anderson County
- Van Buren Road Anderson County
Track Jim Brown Lake 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 Jim Brown Lake
Where does the data for Jim Brown Lake 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 Jim Brown Lake.