Barton Dam Reservoir Report
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Barton Dam, also known as Barton Lake, is a privately owned dam located in Nelson County, Kentucky, near the city of Bardstown.
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Summary
Built in 1930, this earth dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam has a height of 23 feet and a length of 300 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 69.8 acre-feet and a surface area of 9.2 acres.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Barton Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is poor, indicating a need for maintenance and improvements. With an inspection frequency of 5 years, the last assessment in December 2017 revealed the dam's risk assessment as moderate, emphasizing the importance of implementing risk management measures to address potential hazards and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
As a critical infrastructure in the area, Barton Dam plays a significant role in water resource management and recreational activities while also posing certain risks that need to be addressed. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the dam's history, design, and current condition is essential to appreciate its significance and contribute to its sustainable management for future generations.
Year Completed |
1930 |
Dam Length |
300 |
Dam Height |
23 |
River Or Stream |
TOWN CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
9.2 |
Drainage Area |
3.43 |
Nid Storage |
69.8 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Nid Height |
23 |
Seasonal Comparison
Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Beech Fork At Bardstown
|
177cfs |
Beech Fork At Maud
|
101cfs |
Rolling Fork Near Boston
|
449cfs |
Long Lick At Clermont
|
1cfs |
Cedar Creek At Hwy 1442 Near Shepherdsville
|
5cfs |
Brashears Creek At Taylorsville
|
144cfs |
Dam Data Reference
Condition Assessment
SatisfactoryNo 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. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum
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. Investigations and studies are necessary.
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.
Not Available
Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.
Hazard Potential Classification
HighDams 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, environment 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.
Not Available
Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.
Barton Dam