Echo Dam dam
Echo Dam
Echo Dam, also known as Echo Lake, is a privately owned recreational facility located in Clay City, Kentucky. Constructed in 1961 by the Soil Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at 33 feet high and stretches 325 feet in length, creating a surface area of 5.4 acres and a drainage area of 0.18 acres. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 81.4 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 66 acre-feet.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Echo Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Echo Dam is assessed to be in fair condition, last inspected in April 2018. With a spillway width of 35 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, the dam presents a moderate risk level (3) according to the risk assessment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Echo Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam management and recreational use. Its location on the TR-Hatton Creek, in the picturesque Powell County, Kentucky, adds to its appeal as a vital water resource in the region. As efforts continue to maintain its safety and functionality, Echo Dam remains a significant feature in the local landscape, providing both recreational opportunities and a reminder of the importance of responsible water infrastructure management in the face of 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 Echo Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red River At Clay City | 43 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 428 cfs | → |
| Slate Creek At Highway 713 Nr Mt. Sterling | 34 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 357 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 462 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Echo Dam.
Boat launches
- 7th Avenue Clay City
- East Lake Avenue Clay City
- Main Street Irvine
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Natural Bridge Road Powell County
- Boat Ramp Road Wolfe County
Campgrounds
- Callies
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Tunnel Ridge Road
- Koomer Ridge Campground
- Koomer Ridge Rec Area
- 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
Paddle runs
Track Echo 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 Echo Dam
Where does the data for Echo 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 High 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 Echo Dam.