Breckridge dam
Breckridge
Located in Breckinridge, Kentucky, Breckridge (also known as Breckridge Lake) is a private reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1965 by the Soil Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 341 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, the reservoir covers a surface area of 12.9 acres and drains an area of 0.79 square miles.
Despite its recreational appeal, Breckridge poses a significant hazard potential with a poor condition assessment as of December 2017. The dam's inspection frequency is set at every 3 years, with the last assessment revealing a moderate risk level. The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled and 20 feet wide, adds to its risk profile. The Kentucky Division of Water is responsible for regulating, inspecting, and enforcing safety measures at Breckridge.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Breckridge presents an intriguing case study in dam safety and risk management. The reservoir's outdated infrastructure and poor condition assessment highlight the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to prevent potential disasters. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the vulnerabilities of structures like Breckridge is crucial for ensuring the safety of communities and ecosystems downstream.
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 Breckridge -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Cannelton Dam At Cannelton | 84,100 cfs | → |
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | · | → |
| South Fork Panther Creek Near Whitesville | 20 cfs | → |
| Nolin River At White Mills | 77 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Anderson River At Bristow | 2 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near New Middletown | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Breckridge.
Boat launches
- Ky 79;Ky 259 Breckinridge County
- West Main Street 466, Cloverport
- Timbercrest Road Breckinridge County
- South Rome Road 5644, Rome
- Ic-1009 Grayson County
- Cave Creek Lane 1538, Grayson County
Campgrounds
- North Fork - Rough River Lake
- Axtel - Rough River Lake
- Rough River State Park
- Laurel Branch - Rough River Lake
- German Ridge
- Cave Creek - Rough River Lake
Track Breckridge 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 Breckridge
Where does the data for Breckridge 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 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 Breckridge.