Lake Vega dam
Lake Vega
Lake Vega in Kentucky is a Federal-owned reservoir with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Constructed in 1943 by the US Army, this Earth dam stands at 48 feet high and spans 890 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 1840 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 140 acres and is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water.
Located in Madison County, Kentucky, Lake Vega is situated in the city of Elliston and is fed by Muddy Creek. With a controlled spillway width of 135 feet, the reservoir has a high hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. While detailed information on the condition assessment is not available, the dam undergoes inspections every four years to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Lake Vega for its role in flood risk reduction and its potential for recreational activities. As a vital piece of infrastructure designed to protect the surrounding area from flooding, this reservoir serves as an example of effective water management and environmental stewardship. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, Lake Vega stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Lake Vega -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 461 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 541 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 522 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 509 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 463 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Vega .
Boat launches
- Wilgreen Lake Road Madison County
- Radford Hollow Road 145, Madison County
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Main Street Irvine
- Tates Creek Road 3302, Madison County
- John Nickell Boat Ramp Jessamine County
Campgrounds
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Renfro Valley Boat Dock
- Turkey Foot Campground Free
- Turkey Foot Campground
- S-Tree Campground Free
- Turkey Foot Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Long Bend Fishing Site
- Fishing Point
Track Lake Vega 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 Lake Vega
Where does the data for Lake Vega 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 Lake Vega .