Worley Lake Dam dam
Worley Lake Dam
Worley Lake Dam, located in McCreary, Kentucky, was completed in 1972 and serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam, with a height of 26 feet and a length of 500 feet, impounds Worley Lake on TR-FREEMAN FORK. Managed by a private owner, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Kentucky Division of Water to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards.
With a storage capacity of 23.1 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.5 acres, Worley Lake Dam poses a low hazard potential and has a moderate risk assessment rating. Its uncontrolled spillway and earth structure make it a unique feature in the area. Despite not having a condition assessment rating, the dam is regularly inspected every 5 years to maintain its safety and integrity. The surrounding community can enjoy the recreational benefits of the dam while being assured of its sound management and upkeep.
The Louisville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers does not have jurisdiction over Worley Lake Dam, as it is privately owned and operated. The dam's primary purpose of recreation provides locals and visitors with a picturesque and serene environment for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. As a vital part of the local water resource infrastructure, Worley Lake Dam stands as a symbol of responsible water management and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Worley Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls | 418 cfs | → |
| South Fork Cumberland River Near Stearns | 97 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Williamsburg | 353 cfs | → |
| Lynn Camp Creek At Corbin | 10 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 47 cfs | → |
| Rockcastle River At Billows | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Worley Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ky 3497 Laurel County
- Redbird Road Whitley County
- Grove Whitley County
- Whitley County
- I 75 Rockcastle County
Campgrounds
- Sandhill Rv Camp
- Cumberland Falls State Park
- Alum Ford
- Alum Ford - Big South Fork Area
- Rockcastle
- Blue Heron - Big South Fork Area
Paddle runs
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
Track Worley Lake 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 Worley Lake Dam
Where does the data for Worley Lake 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 Worley Lake Dam.