Vulcan Quarry Dam dam
Vulcan Quarry Dam
Vulcan Quarry Dam, also known as Vulcan Quarry Detention Basin, is a vital infrastructure located in Jefferson, Kentucky, designed by Richard Storm. Completed in 2000, this earth-type dam stands at 16 feet in height and spans 265 feet in length, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the region. With a storage capacity of 690 acre-feet and a surface area of 40.4 acres, this dam plays a critical role in managing water resources and mitigating potential hazards.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Vulcan Quarry Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. The dam's hazard potential is classified as significant, but its condition assessment as of March 2018 was reported as satisfactory. Despite moderate risk, the dam meets guidelines and has not required emergency action planning or inundation maps preparation to date. Overall, Vulcan Quarry Dam stands as a key component of water resource management in Kentucky, contributing to the region's resilience against flood events and safeguarding the surrounding communities.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of infrastructure like Vulcan Quarry Dam is crucial in appreciating the intricate balance of water management and environmental protection. With its strategic location and design, this dam exemplifies the proactive measures taken by local governments to address flood risk and ensure sustainable water usage. By staying informed about the operation, condition, and regulatory oversight of dams like Vulcan Quarry, enthusiasts can actively contribute to the conversation on water resource management and climate resilience in their communities.
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 Vulcan Quarry Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ditch At Okolona | 21 cfs | → |
| Pennslyvania Run At Mt Washington Rd Nr Louisville | 10 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Thixton Road Near Louisville | 40 cfs | → |
| Fern Creek At Old Bardstown Rd At Louisville | 5 cfs | → |
| Pond Creek Near Louisville | 147 cfs | → |
| South Fork Beargrass Creek At Louisville | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vulcan Quarry Dam.
Boat launches
- Cooper Chapel Road Louisville
- Lasater Road Louisville
- Bullitt County Boat Ramp
- Greenwood Road 8203, Louisville
- North 27th Street Louisville
- Harrison Avenue 1021, Clarksville
Campgrounds
- Salt River Rec Area
- Salt River Recreation Park
- South Harrison Co Park
- Charlestown State Park
- Camp Carlson Military - Fort Knox
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
Paddle runs
- Carnes Mill Site To 7.65 Miles Above Confluece With Ohio River At Confluence With Turkey Creek
- City Limits Of English, In To Carnes Mill Site In Ne1/4ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T3s, R1w
- Junction Of North/South Forks Of Lost River To State Road 337 Bridge, Approx 4 Miles Southeast Of Orleans, In
Track Vulcan Quarry 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 Vulcan Quarry Dam
Where does the data for Vulcan Quarry 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 Significant 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 Vulcan Quarry Dam.