Paradise Dam dam
Paradise Dam
Paradise Dam, also known as Paradise Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Hardin, Kentucky. Completed in 1963, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a length of 850 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 145 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, with a surface area of 22 acres and normal storage of 88 acre-feet.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Paradise Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the risk assessment for this dam is moderate. The last inspection took place in 2007, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam continues to serve as a recreational resource for the local community.
Situated on the TR-Rolling Fork river, Paradise Dam offers a picturesque setting in West Point, Kentucky. With its uncontrolled spillway and minimal associated structures, this dam provides a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities while appreciating the beauty of its natural surroundings.
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 Paradise Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Fork Near Boston | 102 cfs | → |
| Long Lick At Clermont | 1 cfs | → |
| Salt River At Shepherdsville | 193 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Hwy 1442 Near Shepherdsville | 0 cfs | → |
| Beech Fork At Bardstown | 43 cfs | → |
| North Fork Nolin River At Hodgenville | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paradise Dam.
Boat launches
- Porter River Road Hardin County
- Bullitt County Boat Ramp
- Cooper Chapel Road Louisville
- Lasater Road Louisville
- Greenwood Road 8203, Louisville
- Corps Of Engineers Tailwater Road Spencer County
Campgrounds
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
- Camp Carlson Military - Fort Knox
- Salt River Rec Area
- Salt River Recreation Park
- South Harrison Co Park
Track Paradise 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 Paradise Dam
Where does the data for Paradise 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 Paradise Dam.