Leo Reader Dam dam
Leo Reader Dam
Leo Reader Dam, also known as Reader Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Columbia, Kentucky. Built in 1967 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth-type dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, offering a serene spot for water enthusiasts in the Russell County area. With a height of 23 feet and a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, Leo Reader Dam stands as a low-hazard structure with a moderate risk assessment.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Leo Reader Dam overlooks the Hudson Creek offstream and covers a surface area of 5 acres within a drainage area of 0.27 square miles. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and a last inspection conducted in 2007, the dam has not been rated for its condition. However, it continues to be a popular destination for outdoor activities and water-related recreation in the region, attracting visitors to its picturesque surroundings.
As a testament to the ingenuity of its designers at SCS - J.H. Dickinson, Leo Reader Dam has stood the test of time for over five decades, offering a tranquil escape for individuals seeking a peaceful retreat by the water. With its low hazard potential and well-maintained state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Leo Reader Dam remains a reliable and safe water resource for both locals and visitors alike, showcasing the beauty and resilience of Kentucky's water infrastructure amidst ever-changing climate 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 Leo Reader Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Creek Near Columbia | 15 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Monticello | 6 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Mckinney | 0 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near Shopville | 8 cfs | → |
| Wolf River Near Byrdstown | 18 cfs | → |
| South Fork Cumberland River Near Stearns | 149 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leo Reader Dam.
Boat launches
- Russell County
- Taylor County
- Lake Liberty Street Casey County
- Riverbrook Trail Cumberland County
- Cumberland County
Campgrounds
- Lake Cumberland State Park
- Holmes Bend - Green River Lake
- Kendall Rec Area - Lake Cumberland
- Halcombs Landing - Dfwr
- Cumberland Point - Lake Cumberland
- Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake
Paddle runs
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
Track Leo Reader 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 Leo Reader Dam
Where does the data for Leo Reader 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 Leo Reader Dam.