Duncan Creek Dam Dam
Duncan Creek Dam
Duncan Creek Dam, also known as Duncan Lake, is a Federal-owned structure located in Lyon, Kentucky. Completed in 1980, the dam stands at a height of 23 feet and spans a length of 680 feet along Duncan Creek. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 202 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 96 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 18 acres.
Managed by the USDA Forest Service, Duncan Creek Dam is classified as an Earth dam with a core made of stone and a foundation consisting of soil. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 59 cubic feet per second. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam is subject to moderate risk, with a risk assessment score of 3. While the condition of the dam is currently not rated, it undergoes inspections every 10 years to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by the unique features of Duncan Creek Dam, such as its picturesque location in the Louisville District and its association with the Forest Service. With its focus on recreation and its modest storage capacity, the dam serves as a vital resource for the local community while also providing opportunities for outdoor activities. As a significant structure along Duncan Creek, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and ensuring the safety of downstream areas.
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 Duncan Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clarks River At Almo | 75 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Cadiz | 485 cfs | → |
| Clarks River At Murray | 15 cfs | → |
| Tradewater River At Olney | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Massac Creek Near Paducah | 4 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Metropolis | 444,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Duncan Creek Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Duncan Creek Dam
Where does the data for Duncan 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 Low 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 below 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.
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.