Buckhorn Dam dam
Buckhorn Dam
Buckhorn Dam, also known as Buckhorn Lake, is a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure located in Perry, Kentucky. Completed in 1960, this rockfill dam stands at a structural height of 160 feet and plays a crucial role in preventing downstream flooding along the Middlefork Kentucky River. With a storage capacity of 167,900 acre-feet and a spillway width of 140 feet, the dam significantly reduces the risk of flooding to downstream communities, though extreme rainfall events could still pose a threat.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has implemented various risk management measures to mitigate potential risks associated with the dam. Regular inspections, emergency action planning, and close coordination with local emergency managers are key components of their risk reduction strategy. Furthermore, USACE continuously monitors the dam's health and conducts emergency exercises with state and local response teams to ensure the structure's integrity and enhance emergency preparedness.
In the event of a breach or extreme rainfall, downstream areas such as Buckhorn, Beattyville, and Irvine/Ravenna could experience significant flooding. Residents are advised to pre-plan emergency routes and stay alert to potential risks. With ongoing maintenance and proactive risk management efforts, Buckhorn Dam remains a critical asset in safeguarding the region against flooding.
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 Buckhorn Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 102 cfs | → |
| Cutshin Creek At Wooton | 9 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Jackson | 232 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 52 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Hazard | 88 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Manchester | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buckhorn Dam.
Boat launches
- Marina Lane 231, Perry County
- Park Avenue Hazard
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Water Street Beattyville
- Ky 399 Heidelberg
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
Campgrounds
- Buckhorn Dam Rec Area - Buckhorn Lake
- Gays Creek Campground
- Trace Branch - Buckhorn Lake
- Willie Begley Memorial Rv Park
- Clay County Campground
- Turkey Foot Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Lake Keokee Day Use Area
- Long Bend Fishing Site
- Fishing Point
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
Track Buckhorn 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 Buckhorn Dam
Where does the data for Buckhorn 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 High 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 Buckhorn Dam.