Little Ky River Frs 4 dam
Little Ky River Frs 4
Little Ky River FRS 4, also known as Little Ky. River FRS #4, is a local government-owned flood risk reduction structure located in Sulphur, Henry County, Kentucky. Constructed in 1963 by the Soil Conservation Service, USDA/NRCS, this earth dam spans 500 feet in length and stands at a height of 42 feet, providing a storage capacity of 610 acre-feet. Situated on the Little Kentucky River, this structure serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction and is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, Little Ky River FRS 4 has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Its condition assessment is currently not rated as of the last inspection in August 2015, with an inspection frequency of five years. While emergency action plans and risk management measures are not explicitly stated, the structure's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service indicate a commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of the surrounding community in the event of a flood event. With a drainage area of 2.4 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 53 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region.
As a vital component of the flood protection infrastructure along the Little Kentucky River, Little Ky River FRS 4 remains an essential asset in safeguarding the local community from potential inundation. While its risk assessment suggests a moderate level of vulnerability, the structure's historical significance and continued monitoring by state regulatory agencies underscore the importance of proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness. With its uncontrolled spillway and proximity to residential areas, the dam serves as a tangible reminder of the critical role that water resource management plays in climate resilience and disaster prevention efforts.
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 Little Ky River Frs 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 2 At Lockport | 806 cfs | → |
| Floyds Fork Near Pewee Valley | 325 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 3 At Gest | 561 cfs | → |
| Harrods Creek At Highway 329 Nr Goshen | 136 cfs | → |
| Floyds Fork At Fisherville | 700 cfs | → |
| Little Goose Creek Near Harrods Creek | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Ky River Frs 4.
Boat launches
- Grange Drive 1412, La Grange
- Bell Street Bethlehem
- Westport Park Boat Ramp
- Long Run Lake Boat Ramp
- 1st Street, Carrollton
- East Riverside Drive 7301, Jefferson County
Track Little Ky River Frs 4 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 Little Ky River Frs 4
Where does the data for Little Ky River Frs 4 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 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 Little Ky River Frs 4.