Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7 dam
Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7
Kentucky River Lock and Dam No. 7, located in Estill, Kentucky, was completed in 1906 and serves as a vital structure for hydroelectric purposes on the Kentucky River. With a dam height of 35 feet and a length of 260 feet, it has a normal storage capacity of 6,900 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 579 acres. The dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and inspected periodically to ensure its structural integrity.
This significant dam, with its uncontrolled spillway and hazard potential rating of "Significant," plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing hydroelectric power to the area. The Kentucky River Lock and Dam No. 7 is part of the Louisville District and falls under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Division of Water, which oversees its permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this vital water resource infrastructure.
As a key component of the water management system on the Kentucky River, Kentucky River Lock and Dam No. 7 stands as a testament to the enduring importance of hydroelectric power generation in the region. With its rich history dating back over a century, this dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose while also providing valuable water storage and flood control benefits. Through collaboration between state and federal agencies, this dam remains a critical piece of infrastructure that contributes to the sustainability and resilience of the water resources in Kentucky.
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 Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 428 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 43 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 462 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 430 cfs | → |
| Slate Creek At Highway 713 Nr Mt. Sterling | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7.
Boat launches
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Main Street Irvine
- 7th Avenue Clay City
- East Lake Avenue Clay City
- Wilgreen Lake Road Madison County
- Radford Hollow Road 145, Madison County
Campgrounds
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Callies
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Turkey Foot Campground Free
- Turkey Foot Campground
- Turkey Foot Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Boat Launch
Track Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7 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 Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7
Where does the data for Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7 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 Kentucky River Lock And Dam No. 7.