Powell Oil Company Lake dam
Powell Oil Company Lake
Powell Oil Company Lake, located in Mt. Carmel-Vicinity, Kentucky, is a private reservoir regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water. Built in 1960, this Earth type dam stands at 39 feet high and spans 535 feet, providing a storage capacity of 54.1 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, raising concerns about its structural integrity and long-term viability.
The lake's primary purpose and design suggest that it serves as a vital water resource in the region, with a surface area of 4.6 acres and a drainage area of 0.16 square miles. However, its current risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment. With a history of state regulation, inspection, and enforcement, it is crucial for stakeholders to address the dam's poor condition and mitigate potential risks before they escalate.
Given its location near the TR-West Fork Pond River, Powell Oil Company Lake plays a significant role in water resource management in Christian County, Kentucky. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, it is imperative for the owners and regulatory agencies to prioritize the dam's maintenance and rehabilitation efforts to safeguard this essential asset for future generations.
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 Powell Oil Company Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pond River Near Apex | 15 cfs | → |
| Tradewater River At Olney | 18 cfs | → |
| Green River At Paradise | 888 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Cadiz | 485 cfs | → |
| Green River At Lock 2 At Calhoun | 795 cfs | → |
| Red River At Port Royal | 181 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Powell Oil Company Lake.
Track Powell Oil Company 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 Powell Oil Company Lake
Where does the data for Powell Oil Company 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 Powell Oil Company Lake.