John Smith Dam dam
John Smith Dam
John Smith Dam, also known as Smith Lake, is a private dam located in Cloverport, Kentucky. Completed in 1959, this earth dam stands at 29 feet tall and spans 510 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 86.1 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Beech Fork of Clover Fork river, within the Louisville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
With a primary purpose classified as "Other", John Smith Dam serves various functions beyond flood control and water storage. Although its hazard potential is rated as low, the dam is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being in operation for decades, the dam remains in a condition that is not yet rated, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find John Smith Dam to be an intriguing structure due to its unique design and location. As a private dam in a picturesque setting, it offers a glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and natural landscapes, showcasing the vital role that such infrastructure plays in managing water resources and mitigating risks associated with flooding.
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 John Smith Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 84,100 cfs | → |
| South Fork Panther Creek Near Whitesville | 20 cfs | → |
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | · | → |
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 2 cfs | → |
| Nolin River At White Mills | 77 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near New Middletown | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Smith Dam.
Boat launches
- West Main Street 466, Cloverport
- South Rome Road 5644, Rome
- Sr 166 8699, Perry County
- Timbercrest Road Breckinridge County
- Ic-1009 Grayson County
- Ky 79;Ky 259 Breckinridge County
Campgrounds
- Rough River State Park
- German Ridge
- Axtel - Rough River Lake
- North Fork - Rough River Lake
- Laurel Branch - Rough River Lake
- Vastwood Park
Track John Smith 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 John Smith Dam
Where does the data for John Smith 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 John Smith Dam.