Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam dam
Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam
Located in Boyle, Kentucky, Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam, also known as Helm Farm Lake, was completed in 1953 for the primary purpose of irrigation. This private dam, designed by the Soil Conservation Service, stands at a height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. The dam spans the Chaplin River and covers a surface area of 10.5 acres, serving as a vital water resource for the surrounding agricultural lands.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam is in fair condition as of its last assessment in December 2016. The dam operates with an uncontrolled spillway type with a width of 48 feet. The Kentucky Division of Water regulates and inspects the dam regularly, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam's risk profile is continuously monitored to implement appropriate risk management measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam in sustaining agricultural irrigation in the region. The dam's historical importance, structural design, and regulatory oversight make it a focal point for understanding the intersection of water management, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship in Boyle, Kentucky.
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 Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dix River Near Danville | 4 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge | 3,540 cfs | → |
| Green River Near Mckinney | 1 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 6 Near Salvisa | 912 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 463 cfs | → |
| Beech Fork At Maud | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Salt River Park Harrodsburg
- Lakeside Drive 1098, Garrard County
- Oregon Landing Road Mercer County
- Lake Liberty Street Casey County
- Beaver Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Boone Road Lincoln County
Campgrounds
- Logan-Hubble County Park
- Camp On The Kentucky
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
- Wilson Creek Access - Dfwr
Paddle runs
Track Larue Helm Farm Lake 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 Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam
Where does the data for Larue Helm Farm Lake 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 Significant 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 Larue Helm Farm Lake Dam.