Olympia State Forest Dam dam
Olympia State Forest Dam
The Olympia State Forest Dam, also known as Olympia State Forest Lake, is a privately owned recreational dam located in Bath, Kentucky. Constructed in 1962, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 300 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. Situated on the Clark Fork River, this dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering a surface area of 5.9 acres for visitors to enjoy various water-based activities.
Managed and regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water, the Olympia State Forest Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While it has not been inspected since 2005, the dam is subject to regular state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its relatively small drainage area of 0.12 square miles, the dam provides a tranquil recreational spot for locals and tourists alike to appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding forest and waterways.
With its uncontrolled spillway and minimal associated structures, the Olympia State Forest Dam offers a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the diverse landscapes of Bath, Kentucky. As a privately owned recreational facility, this dam presents a unique opportunity for outdoor recreation and relaxation, attracting visitors to its serene waters and scenic surroundings along the Clark Fork River. While its condition assessment is currently not rated, ongoing state oversight ensures that the dam remains a safe and enjoyable destination for all who appreciate the beauty of nature.
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 Olympia State Forest Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Slate Creek At Highway 713 Nr Mt. Sterling | 34 cfs | → |
| Rock Lick Cr At State Hwy 158 Nr Sharkey | 1 cfs | → |
| North Fork Triplett Creek Near Morehead | 13 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 45 cfs | → |
| Red River Near Hazel Green | 10 cfs | → |
| Hinkston Creek Near Carlisle | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olympia State Forest Dam.
Boat launches
- Clear Creek Boat Ramp Bath County
- Boat Ramp Road Menifee County
- Cr-1565 Menifee County
- Twin Knobs Rowan County
- Alfrey Boat Ramp Road Rowan County
- Boat Ramp Bath County
Campgrounds
- Clear Creek Rec Area
- White Sulphur Horse Camp
- Twin Knobs West Group Use Area
- Twin Knobs Recreation Area
- Zilpo Recreation Area
- Boat Gunnel Group Campground
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Boat Launch
Paddle runs
Track Olympia State Forest 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 Olympia State Forest Dam
Where does the data for Olympia State Forest 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 Olympia State Forest Dam.