Jesse James Bluffs Dam dam
Jesse James Bluffs Dam
Jesse James Bluffs Dam, also known as Jesse James Bluffs Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Gallatin, Kentucky. Built in 1979 by LOCKWOOD, JONES, BEALS, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and stretches 1350 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 3.6 acres and a storage capacity of 73.33 acre-feet.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Jesse James Bluffs Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite being labeled as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is rated as moderate (3). The last inspection was conducted in July 2005, with a scheduled frequency of every 5 years. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, but its maintenance and risk management measures are not yet detailed.
Situated on Eagle Creek, Jesse James Bluffs Dam is a picturesque spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore in Kentucky. With its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities, this earth dam stands as a testament to both engineering prowess and natural beauty, attracting visitors to appreciate the importance of water resources management in the face of changing climates.
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 Jesse James Bluffs Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Creek At Glencoe | 344 cfs | → |
| Mud Lick Cr At Hwy 42 Nr Beaverlick | 318 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Markland Dam Near Warsaw | 98,600 cfs | → |
| Cruises Creek At Hwy 17 Nr Piner | 9 cfs | → |
| Gunpowder Cr At Camp Ernst Rd Nr Union | 353 cfs | → |
| Woolper Creek At Woolper Road Near Burlington | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jesse James Bluffs Dam.
Boat launches
- Indiana 156 18249, Patriot
- Craigs Creek Boat Ramp
- Indiana 156 2791, Patriot
- Boltz Lake Road 399, Grant County
- Arnold Creek Ramp
- Lafayette Street, Vevay
Track Jesse James Bluffs 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 Jesse James Bluffs Dam
Where does the data for Jesse James Bluffs 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 Jesse James Bluffs Dam.