Man-O-War Dam dam
Man-O-War Dam
Man-O-War Dam, located in Fayette, Kentucky, along the North Elkhorn Creek, serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure in the area. Constructed in 2005 by E. A. Partners, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans a length of 581 feet. With a spillway width of 125 feet, the dam is designed to manage uncontrolled water flow during periods of excess rainfall, preventing potential inundation and protecting nearby communities from flooding.
The Kentucky Division of Water regulates and inspects the dam regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has been assessed to be in fair condition as of September 2017, with a significant hazard potential due to its location and function. Despite this, the risk assessment for Man-O-War Dam is considered moderate, indicating a proactive approach to managing any potential issues and ensuring the continued protection of the surrounding area. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam represents a critical infrastructure piece in the region's flood risk management strategy.
As a part of the flood risk reduction system in place, Man-O-War Dam plays a vital role in safeguarding the community of Lexington from potential water-related disasters. With its strategic location along the North Elkhorn Creek and effective design features, this structure stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. The ongoing inspection and regulation efforts by the Kentucky Division of Water demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the continued functionality and safety of this essential infrastructure piece for years to come.
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 Man-O-War Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryant Rd Nr Cadentown | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Winchester Rd Nr Lexington | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose | 0 cfs | → |
| Wolf Run At Old Frankfort Pike At Lexington | 7 cfs | → |
| Town Branch At Yarnallton Road At Yarnallton | 17 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 462 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Man-O-War Dam.
Boat launches
- Tates Creek Road 3302, Madison County
- Paris Pike Georgetown
- Us 25 Georgetown
- Great Crossing Walking Path Scott County
- John Nickell Boat Ramp Jessamine County
- College Hill Road Madison County
Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campground
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Camp On The Kentucky
Fishing spots
- Boat Launch
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Man-O-War 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 Man-O-War Dam
Where does the data for Man-O-War 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 Man-O-War Dam.