Kelly Lake dam
Kelly Lake
Kelly Lake, located in Fayette, Kentucky, is a privately owned recreational facility managed by the Kentucky Division of Water. Built in 1971 by the Soil Conservation Service, this earth dam structure stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 470 feet in length, providing a surface area of 4.5 acres for leisure activities. With a normal storage capacity of 38 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.09 square miles, the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Situated near the TRIB-ELK LICK CREEK, Kelly Lake offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam remains state-regulated and undergoes periodic inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the facility has an established emergency action plan and designated emergency contacts in place, reflecting a commitment to risk management and public safety.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kelly Lake serves as a valuable recreational resource within the Louisville District. With its picturesque surroundings and diverse wildlife habitat, this man-made lake provides a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with nature and engage in water-based recreation. As a pivotal part of the local ecosystem, maintaining the dam's structural integrity and adhering to regulatory guidelines are essential to preserving the ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable environment 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 Kelly Lake -- 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 | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryant Rd Nr Cadentown | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Winchester Rd Nr Lexington | 17 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose | 27 cfs | → |
| Wolf Run At Old Frankfort Pike At Lexington | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kelly Lake.
Boat launches
- Tates Creek Road 3302, Madison County
- John Nickell Boat Ramp Jessamine County
- Wilgreen Lake Road Madison County
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Paris Pike Georgetown
- Us 25 Georgetown
Campgrounds
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Kentucky Horse Park Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campground
- Camp On The Kentucky
- Logan-Hubble County Park
Fishing spots
- Boat Launch
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Kelly 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 Kelly Lake
Where does the data for Kelly 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 Kelly Lake.