Harry Bailey Dam dam
Harry Bailey Dam
Harry Bailey Dam, also known as Bailey Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Old Steam Hollow in Greenup, Kentucky. Constructed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet and spans a length of 200 feet, with a storage capacity of 17 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering visitors a serene setting for leisure activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Harry Bailey Dam is regulated and inspected by state authorities to ensure its integrity and safety. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating. With a drainage area of 0.03 square miles and an uncontrolled spillway, the dam provides essential flood protection to the surrounding area while also offering recreational opportunities in a picturesque setting.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harry Bailey Dam serves as a prime example of a functional earth dam that not only provides water storage and flood protection but also contributes to the local community's recreational and aesthetic value. With its moderate risk assessment and regular inspections, this dam showcases the importance of proper management and maintenance to ensure the safety and longevity of such vital infrastructure in the face of changing environmental 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 Harry Bailey Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio River At Ironton | 40,000 cfs | → |
| Tygarts Creek Near Greenup | 13 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Greenup Dam Near Greenup | 41,000 cfs | → |
| Little Sandy River At Grayson | 56 cfs | → |
| Symmes Creek At Aid Oh | 27 cfs | → |
| Upper Twin Creek At Mcgaw Oh | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harry Bailey Dam.
Boat launches
- Center Street Landing
- 16th Street Ashland
- Lake Vesuvius Boat Ramp
- Village South Point
- Symmes Creek Boat Ramp
- Aarons Creek Road Aid Township
Campgrounds
- Oak Hill Campground
- Two Point Group Campground
- Pine Knob Loop
- Iron Ridge Campground
- Johson Homeplace
- Timbre Ridge Lake
Track Harry Bailey 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 Harry Bailey Dam
Where does the data for Harry Bailey 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 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 Harry Bailey Dam.