Borders Lake Dam dam
Borders Lake Dam
Borders Lake Dam, located in Patrick, Kentucky, is a privately owned structure along the Levisa Fork river. Built in 1971 by the Soil Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and has a length of 210 feet, providing a storage capacity of 26.2 acre-feet for recreational purposes. Despite being state-regulated and inspected by the Kentucky Division of Water, the dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in May 2018.
With its uncontrolled spillway and moderate risk assessment rating, Borders Lake Dam offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty. Its location within Lawrence County, Kentucky, not only provides a recreational escape but also serves as a vital structure for water management and conservation efforts in the area. The dam's history, design, and maintenance reflect a commitment to preserving both the environment and the community's recreational interests.
As a part of the Louisville District and under the ownership of a private entity, Borders Lake Dam serves as a testament to responsible dam construction and management practices. While its primary purpose is recreation, the dam's impact extends beyond leisure activities, contributing to water resource sustainability and climate resilience. Visitors to this picturesque site can enjoy the tranquil waters of Borders Lake while appreciating the engineering feat and environmental stewardship embodied by this essential structure.
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 Borders Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Levisa Fork At Paintsville | 561 cfs | → |
| Tug Fork At Kermit | 457 cfs | → |
| East Fork Twelvepole Creek Near Dunlow | 9 cfs | → |
| Licking River Below Mason Fork Nr Salyersville | 49 cfs | → |
| Johns Creek Near Meta | 15 cfs | → |
| Tug Fork At Williamson | 356 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Borders Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Levisa Fork Boat Ramp
- Bartram Branch Boat Ramp
- Lick Creek Boat Dock
- Mudlick Branch Boat Ramp
- Grayson Road Elliott County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
Paddle runs
Track Borders 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 Borders Lake Dam
Where does the data for Borders 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 Borders Lake Dam.