Bridge Fork Dam Dam
Bridge Fork Dam
Bridge Fork Dam, also known as Bridge Fork Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Cumberland Falls State Park, Kentucky. Completed in 1930, this earth dam stands at a height of 105 feet and has a length of 1450 feet, with a storage capacity of 2500 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including providing recreational opportunities and regulating the flow of the East Apple Tree Branch river.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Bridge Fork Dam is currently rated as having poor condition assessment and a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in 2016 revealed the need for improvement, with a moderate risk assessment (3) indicating the importance of implementing risk management measures. It is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and falls under state jurisdiction for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts visiting Bridge Fork Dam can appreciate its role in water management and the surrounding natural ecosystem. With its location in a state park and proximity to Cumberland Falls, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and monitoring infrastructure for both safety and environmental preservation.
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 Bridge Fork Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Cumberland River Near Stearns | 197 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Williamsburg | 934 cfs | → |
| South Fk Cumberland River At Leatherwood Ford | 579 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 289 cfs | → |
| New River At New River | 274 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bridge Fork Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Bridge Fork Dam
Where does the data for Bridge Fork 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.