Carr Creek Dam dam
Carr Creek Dam
Carr Creek Dam, also known as Carr Creek Lake, is a Federal-owned rockfill dam located in Knott County, Kentucky. Completed in 1975 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along Carr Creek. With a hydraulic height of 104 feet and a structural height of 132 feet, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 47,700 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 22,620 acre-feet.
The primary purpose of Carr Creek Dam is flood risk reduction, although it also supports recreation and other activities. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and two vertical lift outlet gates. Regular inspections and emergency action plans are in place to address the high hazard potential associated with the dam. USACE continuously monitors the dam's condition, prioritizes risk management measures, and collaborates with local emergency managers to ensure preparedness in case of a dam-related emergency.
Overall, Carr Creek Dam plays a vital role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region. Its strategic location and operational protocols demonstrate USACE's commitment to safeguarding communities and infrastructure from the impacts of severe weather events and potential dam failures.
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 Carr Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Kentucky River At Hazard | 113 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Whitesburg | 23 cfs | → |
| Cutshin Creek At Wooton | 17 cfs | → |
| Poor Fork At Cumberland | 59 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Jackson | 418 cfs | → |
| Powell River At Big Stone Gap | 107 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carr Creek Dam.
Boat launches
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Park Avenue Hazard
- Marina Lane 231, Perry County
- Lake Keokee Loop Lee County
Campgrounds
- Carr Creek State Park
- Littcarr - Carr Creek Lake
- Swindall Campsite
- Trace Branch - Buckhorn Lake
- Portal 31 Rv Park
- Indian Grave Campsite
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
Track Carr Creek 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 Carr Creek Dam
Where does the data for Carr Creek 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 Carr Creek Dam.