Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12 dam
Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12
Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12, located in Estill County, Kentucky, is a concrete dam completed in 1910 for water supply purposes. Standing at a height of 31 feet and stretching 292 feet in length, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Kentucky River. With a storage capacity of 7092.6 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2916 square miles, its significance in managing water resources in the region cannot be overstated.
Managed by the Kentucky Division of Water, Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12 has been deemed to have a significant hazard potential, although its condition is assessed as fair. The dam is subject to regular inspections, with the last one conducted in December 2016. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, contributing to the overall water management infrastructure in the area. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role and condition of structures like Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12 is essential in ensuring the sustainable utilization of water resources in the face of changing climatic conditions.
As part of the Huntington District, Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12 operates an uncontrolled spillway and is subject to state regulations and inspections. The dam's risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. With the potential to impact downstream areas in case of failure, maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of this key water management asset is crucial for safeguarding both water supply and environmental stability in the region.
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 & Dam 12 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 428 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 43 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 357 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon Creek At Cressmont | 3 cfs | → |
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 78 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12.
Boat launches
- Main Street Irvine
- 7th Avenue Clay City
- East Lake Avenue Clay City
- Ky 399 Heidelberg
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Water Street Beattyville
Campgrounds
- Callies
- Turkey Foot Campground Free
- Turkey Foot Campground
- Turkey Foot Rec Area
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Tunnel Ridge Road
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Long Bend Fishing Site
- Fishing Point
Track Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12 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 & Dam 12
Where does the data for Kentucky River Lock & Dam 12 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 & Dam 12.