H Cunning Lake Dam dam
H Cunning Lake Dam
H Cunning Lake Dam, located in Mason County, Kentucky, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1959 for the primary purpose of recreation. With a dam height of 25 feet and a length of 385 feet, the dam impounds Cunning Lake, offering a surface area of 5.5 acres and a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and undergoes regular inspections, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Situated on TR-Absalom Creek, a tributary in the region, the H Cunning Lake Dam provides a serene recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates contribute to its unique design, while its proximity to Piqua offers easy access for visitors. Despite its condition being not rated, the dam remains a popular destination for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Owned by a private entity, H Cunning Lake Dam continues to stand as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management and the harmonious integration of human activities with natural ecosystems. With its historical significance dating back over six decades, the dam represents a blend of engineering prowess and environmental stewardship, inviting enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the beauty of Kentucky's water landscapes.
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 H Cunning Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Licking River At Blue Lick Springs | 155 cfs | → |
| North Fork Licking River Near Mt Olivet | 28 cfs | → |
| Hinkston Creek Near Carlisle | 3 cfs | → |
| Licking River At Mckinneysburg | 219 cfs | → |
| Rock Lick Cr At State Hwy 158 Nr Sharkey | 1 cfs | → |
| Licking River At Catawba | 387 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near H Cunning Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Clay Wma Rd ( Lower Unit ) Nicholas County
- Aberdeen Village Ramp
- Eagle Creek Marina
- 4 H Street Nicholas County
- Chilo Lock No. 34 Park
- Robinson Road 2794, Harrison County
Track H Cunning 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 H Cunning Lake Dam
Where does the data for H Cunning 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 H Cunning Lake Dam.