S.E. Austin Lake Dam dam
S.E. Austin Lake Dam
S.E. Austin Lake Dam, located in the Bells Chapel Area of Kentucky, was completed in 1959 and is owned by a private entity. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 400 feet in length, offering a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Tr- Georges Creek and is regulated by the USDA NRCS, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its high hazard potential, the condition assessment for S.E. Austin Lake Dam is currently listed as "Not Available," indicating a need for further inspection and evaluation. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) are not available at this time, the dam's risk management measures are also unspecified.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find S.E. Austin Lake Dam a point of interest due to its historical significance and recreational value. As a privately-owned structure with a moderate risk rating, there is a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of both the dam and the surrounding community. Further evaluation and risk assessment are recommended to address the potential hazards associated with this important water resource infrastructure.
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 S.E. Austin Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Levisa Fork At Paintsville | 561 cfs | → |
| Tug Fork At Kermit | 457 cfs | → |
| East Fork Twelvepole Creek Near Dunlow | 9 cfs | → |
| Licking River Below Mason Fork Nr Salyersville | 49 cfs | → |
| Tug Fork At Williamson | 356 cfs | → |
| Johns Creek Near Meta | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near S.E. Austin Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Levisa Fork Boat Ramp
- Bartram Branch Boat Ramp
- Lick Creek Boat Dock
- Mudlick Branch Boat Ramp
- Grayson Road Elliott County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
Paddle runs
Track S.E. Austin 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 S.E. Austin Lake Dam
Where does the data for S.E. Austin 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 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 S.E. Austin Lake Dam.