Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee dam
Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee
The Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee, also known as Kentucky Lake, is a federal-owned structure in Benton, Kentucky, designed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to reduce flood risk along the Tennessee River. Completed in 1944, this earthen dam spans 3550 feet in length and has a structural height of 10 feet. Despite its age, the dam is still considered to have a high hazard potential and is inspected every two years to ensure its integrity.
Managed by the TVA, the Kentucky Dam plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction in the region, with its primary purpose being to protect surrounding areas from potential water inundation. The dam is associated with five other structures and is situated in a high-risk area, as indicated by a risk assessment rating of 2. While specific details on its condition assessment are not readily available, the dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2015, highlighting the ongoing efforts to ensure preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee will find this federal-owned structure a key component in the region's flood control system. Managed and funded by the TVA, this earthen dam stands as a testament to engineering prowess and serves as a critical barrier against potential water-related disasters along the Tennessee River. Its strategic location, design, and ongoing risk management measures underscore the importance of this infrastructure in safeguarding communities and natural resources from the impacts of 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 Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cypress Creek At Camden | 64 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy River At Bruceton | 446 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Huntingdon | 38 cfs | → |
| Clarks River At Murray | 15 cfs | → |
| Duck River Above Hurricane Mills | 3,240 cfs | → |
| Yellow Creek At Ellis Mills | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee.
Boat launches
- Lake Access Road 199, Big Sandy
- Humphreys County
- Eva Beach Drive 248, Eva
- New Johnsonville Boat Ramp
- Birdsong Marina Road Benton County
- Gaynor Slough Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
- Paris Landing State Park
- Piney - Lbl
- Camp Isengard
- Boswell Landing
- Gatlin Point - Lbl
Paddle runs
Track Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee 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 Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee
Where does the data for Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee 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 Kentucky Dam - Big Sandy Mud Creek Levee.