Lower Douglas Structure No 2 dam
Lower Douglas Structure No 2
Lower Douglas Structure No 2, also known as Lower Douglas Lake, is a Federal-owned recreational dam located in Hardin, Kentucky. Built in 1976 by the US Army, this earth dam stands at a height of 53 feet and spans 1750 feet across the Douglas Branch river. With a storage capacity of 1473 acre-feet and a surface area of 76 acres, the dam serves the primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for visitors.
The dam's spillway, which is uncontrolled and 50 feet wide, helps regulate water levels during periods of high discharge. Despite being categorized with a low hazard potential, the dam undergoes regular inspections by the US Army to ensure its safety and integrity. The surrounding area, managed by the US Army, offers a serene environment for outdoor activities and water-based recreation. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lower Douglas Structure No 2 presents a fascinating case study of dam infrastructure in a natural setting.
Overall, Lower Douglas Structure No 2 is a vital part of the water management system in Kentucky, providing not only recreational benefits but also serving as a key component of the state's water infrastructure. With its moderate risk assessment rating and regular maintenance by the US Army, the dam remains a reliable and safe structure for visitors to enjoy. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding and monitoring dams like Lower Douglas Structure No 2 becomes increasingly important for sustainable water management practices.
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 Lower Douglas Structure No 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Fork Near Boston | 102 cfs | → |
| Salt River At Shepherdsville | 193 cfs | → |
| Long Lick At Clermont | 1 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek At Pendelton Road Near Louisville | 0 cfs | → |
| Pond Creek At Pendleton Road Near Louisville | 11 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Orell Road Near Louisville | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Douglas Structure No 2.
Boat launches
- Porter River Road Hardin County
- Bullitt County Boat Ramp
- Greenwood Road 8203, Louisville
- Cooper Chapel Road Louisville
- Lasater Road Louisville
Campgrounds
- Camp Carlson Military - Fort Knox
- Salt River Recreation Park
- Salt River Rec Area
- South Harrison Co Park
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Track Lower Douglas Structure No 2 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 Lower Douglas Structure No 2
Where does the data for Lower Douglas Structure No 2 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 Lower Douglas Structure No 2.