Tom Wathen Lake dam
Tom Wathen Lake
Located in Muhlenberg, Kentucky, the picturesque Tom Wathen Lake, also known as Wathen Lake, is a privately owned water resource managed by the Kentucky Division of Water. This recreational lake, completed in 1955, serves as a serene escape for water enthusiasts looking to engage in activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. With a dam height of 37 feet and a storage capacity of 82.6 acre-feet, Tom Wathen Lake offers a tranquil oasis for both locals and visitors alike.
Surrounded by the beauty of Salt Lick Creek, Tom Wathen Lake spans over 4.3 acres and has a drainage area of 0.25 square miles. The dam, primarily constructed of earth, boasts a length of 621 feet and a spillway type of "Uncontrolled." Despite its low hazard potential, the lake is subject to regular inspections by the state regulatory agency to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With its moderate risk assessment and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," Tom Wathen Lake remains a beloved destination for outdoor recreation in the heart of Kentucky.
While the lake's emergency action plan and risk management measures are yet to be fully assessed, its serene surroundings and ample storage capacity make it a valuable water resource for the community. The lake's proximity to Drakesboro and its easy accessibility from Nashville District make it a popular spot for locals and tourists seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. Tom Wathen Lake stands as a testament to the harmonious balance between water resource management and recreational enjoyment, offering a haven for water and climate enthusiasts to appreciate and explore.
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 Tom Wathen Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pond River Near Apex | 15 cfs | → |
| Green River At Paradise | 888 cfs | → |
| Green River At Lock 2 At Calhoun | 795 cfs | → |
| Tradewater River At Olney | 18 cfs | → |
| Caney Creek Near Horse Branch | 1 cfs | → |
| South Fork Panther Creek Near Whitesville | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tom Wathen Lake.
Track Tom Wathen Lake 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 Tom Wathen Lake
Where does the data for Tom Wathen Lake 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 Tom Wathen Lake.