Fauson Lake Dam dam
Fauson Lake Dam
Fauson Lake Dam, located in Carter, Kentucky, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Built in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans a length of 255 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 46 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TRIB-BARRETT CREEK, with a surface area of 2.1 acres and a drainage area of 0.1 square miles.
Despite its recreational benefits, Fauson Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment as of June 2016. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet, and it is regulated and inspected by the Kentucky Division of Water. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk assessment indicate a moderate level of risk (3), highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and the integrity of the structure.
Given its critical role in water resource management and risk mitigation, Fauson Lake Dam remains a focal point for climate enthusiasts and stakeholders interested in sustainable water infrastructure. With its unique design and historical significance, this dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem while also presenting challenges that require continuous attention and investment in order to safeguard its long-term functionality and resilience in the face of changing environmental 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 Fauson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sandy River At Grayson | 60 cfs | → |
| Tygarts Creek Near Greenup | 31 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Ironton | 41,400 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Greenup Dam Near Greenup | 44,600 cfs | → |
| Upper Twin Creek At Mcgaw Oh | 2 cfs | → |
| North Fork Triplett Creek Near Morehead | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fauson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 4 C'S Trail Carter County
- Grayson Road Elliott County
- Center Street Landing
- 16th Street Ashland
- Village South Point
- Lake Vesuvius Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Johson Homeplace
- Oak Hill Campground
- Two Point Group Campground
- Pine Knob Loop
- Iron Ridge Campground
- North Fork - Dfwr
Track Fauson 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 Fauson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Fauson 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 High 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 Fauson Lake Dam.