Moonbow dam
Moonbow
Moonbow is a federal water supply dam located in Whitley, Kentucky, owned and regulated by the Forest Service. This Earth-type dam was completed in 1957 and stands at a height of 37 feet, with a length of 275 feet. It has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of water supply. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition remains unrated as of the last inspection in June 2018.
Situated in a scenic area, Moonbow plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability for the surrounding communities. It is under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Division of Water and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates reflect its simple design, while its risk management measures and emergency preparedness status remain unclear. Moonbow stands as a testament to the careful balance of water resource management and environmental conservation in the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change can appreciate Moonbow's unique characteristics and its role in ensuring sustainable water supply in Kentucky. As a federally-owned structure, it highlights the importance of effective regulation and maintenance practices to mitigate potential risks. Its location within the Nashville District and association with the Forest Service demonstrate the interconnectedness of water infrastructure and natural resource management, making Moonbow a fascinating subject for further study and appreciation in the context of water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Moonbow -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls | 418 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Williamsburg | 353 cfs | → |
| Lynn Camp Creek At Corbin | 10 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 47 cfs | → |
| South Fork Cumberland River Near Stearns | 97 cfs | → |
| Rockcastle River At Billows | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moonbow.
Boat launches
- Redbird Road Whitley County
- Ky 3497 Laurel County
- Grove Whitley County
- Whitley County
- I 75 Rockcastle County
Campgrounds
- Cumberland Falls State Park
- Sandhill Rv Camp
- Grove Rec Area
- Grove Drive-In Campground
- Rockcastle
- Grove Boat-In Campground
Paddle runs
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
Track Moonbow 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 Moonbow
Where does the data for Moonbow 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 Moonbow.