Wiley Miller Dam dam
Wiley Miller Dam
Wiley Miller Dam, also known as Wiley Miller Impoundment, is a private-owned structure located in Manuel, Perry County, Kentucky. Built in 1972 and designed by CBC Engineers, this earth dam stands at 68 feet high and stretches 300 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a storage capacity of 142 acre-feet with a normal storage of 40 acre-feet. The dam sits on Wiley Miller Branch and is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment, Wiley Miller Dam poses moderate risks, as indicated by a risk assessment rating of 3. Although there are no associated structures or locks, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway type. The last inspection was conducted in February 2018, with inspections scheduled annually to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's location within a small drainage area of 0.39 square miles and its surface area of 4.1 acres make it an essential water resource for both recreational and environmental purposes in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wiley Miller Dam presents a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human engineering and natural ecosystems. Its presence in the Louisville District of Kentucky showcases the balance between water management for recreation and the potential risks associated with dam infrastructure. As a privately-owned facility with state regulation and inspection, the dam provides valuable insights into the importance of maintaining and assessing the safety of water structures to ensure the sustainability of water resources for future generations.
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 Wiley Miller Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Kentucky River At Hazard | 113 cfs | → |
| Cutshin Creek At Wooton | 17 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Jackson | 418 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 80 cfs | → |
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 322 cfs | → |
| Licking River Below Mason Fork Nr Salyersville | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wiley Miller Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Avenue Hazard
- Marina Lane 231, Perry County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Water Street Beattyville
Campgrounds
- Trace Branch - Buckhorn Lake
- Gays Creek Campground
- Buckhorn Dam Rec Area - Buckhorn Lake
- Willie Begley Memorial Rv Park
- Carr Creek State Park
- Littcarr - Carr Creek Lake
Fishing spots
- Lake Keokee Day Use Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Bark Camp Recreation Area
Paddle runs
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
Track Wiley Miller 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 Wiley Miller Dam
Where does the data for Wiley Miller 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 Wiley Miller Dam.