Wiser Oil Res No 2 dam
Wiser Oil Res No 2
Wiser Oil Reservoir No. 2, also known as G.S.M. Lake, is a privately owned dam located in Lee County, Kentucky. Constructed in 1955, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 33 feet and stretches 340 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. It serves as a vital resource for the surrounding area, with a normal storage capacity of 74 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.7 acres, providing essential water supply and flood control benefits.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Wiser Oil Reservoir No. 2 is considered a low hazard potential structure, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Although last inspected in 2013, it remains in good condition and is regularly monitored for any maintenance or safety issues. The dam is designed to release excess water through an uncontrolled spillway, contributing to the overall water management system of the Little Sinking Creek watershed.
Despite its age, Wiser Oil Reservoir No. 2 continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in the region, ensuring a reliable water supply for various purposes. With its historic significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in adapting to 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 Wiser Oil Res No 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 387 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 50 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon Creek At Cressmont | 3 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 45 cfs | → |
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 82 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wiser Oil Res No 2.
Boat launches
- Natural Bridge Road Powell County
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Water Street Beattyville
- Ky 399 Heidelberg
- Boat Ramp Road Wolfe County
- Copperas Creek Canoe Launch
Campgrounds
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Koomer Ridge Rec Area
- Koomer Ridge Campground
- Tunnel Ridge Road
- Callies
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Boat Launch
Track Wiser Oil Res No 2 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 Wiser Oil Res No 2
Where does the data for Wiser Oil Res No 2 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 Wiser Oil Res No 2.