Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) dam
Eagles Nest Dam (Upper)
Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) in Pulaski, Kentucky, stands as a testament to the importance of water resources and climate conservation. Owned privately, this earth dam was completed in 1978 and serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam's construction by Miller Whiry and Brooks in Louisville reflects a commitment to sustainable water management in the region.
Situated near Somerset, the dam's reservoir, known as Eagles Nest Lake (Upper), has a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6.06 acres. The dam's low hazard potential is complemented by moderate risk management measures, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure. With state regulatory agencies like the KY Division of Water overseeing permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) is a model of responsible dam operation in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem. The dam, located on Vaught Branch, is not only a recreational hub but also a critical infrastructure for managing water flow and supporting wildlife in the area. With a commitment to sustainability and risk management, Eagles Nest Dam stands as a beacon of water resource stewardship in Kentucky's landscape.
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 Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buck Creek Near Shopville | 7 cfs | → |
| Rockcastle River At Billows | 44 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Mckinney | 0 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls | 526 cfs | → |
| Lynn Camp Creek At Corbin | 5 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Monticello | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eagles Nest Dam (Upper).
Boat launches
- Ky 3497 Laurel County
- I 75 Rockcastle County
- Lake Liberty Street Casey County
- Battleground Road Livingston
- Grove Whitley County
- Boone Road Lincoln County
Campgrounds
- Fall Creek - Lake Cumberland
- Fishing Creek - Lake Cumberland
- Waitsboro - Lake Cumberland
- General Burnside State Park
- Bee Rock Campground
- Bee Rock Rec Area
Paddle runs
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
Track Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) 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 Eagles Nest Dam (Upper)
Where does the data for Eagles Nest Dam (Upper) 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 Eagles Nest Dam (Upper).