Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam Dam
Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam
The Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam, located in Dycusburg, Kentucky, stands as a historic structure completed in 1960 with a primary purpose that goes beyond traditional water resource management. This private-owned Earth dam spans 1000 feet in length and reaches a height of 53 feet, holding a storage capacity of 229.4 acre-feet with a surface area of 12.3 acres. While classified with a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment rates at a moderate level, urging a closer look at potential vulnerabilities and management measures.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, the Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam is subject to state regulatory agencies for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its condition assessment being labeled as 'Not Rated,' the dam maintains a steady presence in the local ecosystem, situated near the TR-Dry Fork river and within the Crittenden County landscape. With an updated inspection frequency of every 5 years, the dam's risk management strategy remains to be outlined, prompting further attention to its emergency action plan preparedness and overall risk mitigation strategies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam serves as a unique case study that goes beyond conventional dam management practices. With a blend of historical significance, private ownership, and environmental considerations, this Earth dam embodies a balance between industrial heritage and modern regulatory frameworks. As stakeholders navigate the complexities of dam safety and risk assessment, the Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam stands as a focal point for ongoing monitoring, inspection, and potential enhancements to its overall resilience in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tradewater River At Olney | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Lusk Creek Near Eddyville | 8 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Old Shawneetown | 152,000 cfs | → |
| Massac Creek Near Paducah | 4 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Metropolis | 444,000 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Cadiz | 485 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Kenspar Mining Tailings Dam
Where does the data for Kenspar Mining Tailings 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 below 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.
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.