Big Branch Impoundment dam
Big Branch Impoundment
Big Branch Impoundment, also known as Motts Branch Refuse Impoundment, is a privately owned earth dam located in Raven, Kentucky. With a height of 304 feet and a length of 1160 feet, it serves primarily for the storage of tailings. The dam has a storage capacity of 2617 acre-feet and is under the jurisdiction of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Despite being privately owned and not regulated by the state, Big Branch Impoundment has a high hazard potential, indicating the potential risk it poses to downstream areas in the event of a failure. The condition assessment of the dam is currently not available, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, monitoring and assessing the safety of dams like Big Branch Impoundment is crucial in understanding the potential impact of such structures on water resources and the environment. As the dam is not regulated by the state, there is a need for increased oversight and maintenance to mitigate the risks associated with its high hazard potential.
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 Big Branch Impoundment -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Levisa Fork At Pikeville | 347 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Whitesburg | 23 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Hazard | 113 cfs | → |
| Johns Creek Near Meta | 12 cfs | → |
| Grapevine Creek Near Phyllis | 1 cfs | → |
| Cranes Nest River Near Clintwood | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Branch Impoundment.
Boat launches
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
- Park Avenue Hazard
- Lick Creek Pike County
- Levisa Fork Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Littcarr - Carr Creek Lake
- Carr Creek State Park
- Jack Sutter Campsite
- Indian Grave Campsite
- Swindall Campsite
- Cane Patch Campground
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
Track Big Branch Impoundment 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 Big Branch Impoundment
Where does the data for Big Branch Impoundment 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 Big Branch Impoundment.