Liberty Reservoir Dam dam
Liberty Reservoir Dam
Liberty Reservoir Dam, also known as Liberty Lake, is a crucial water resource structure located in Casey, Kentucky. Built in 1979 by MAYES, SUDDERTH & ETHEREDGE LEXINGTON KY., this earth dam stands at a height of 65 feet and spans 767 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 2832 acre-feet for water supply purposes. Situated on Hickman Creek, the dam is owned and regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water, ensuring its proper maintenance and inspection to meet state standards.
Despite its significant role in providing water to the region, Liberty Reservoir Dam has been assessed as having a high hazard potential and poor condition as of the last inspection in 2016. The spillway, which is uncontrolled and 120 feet wide, adds to the dam's risk profile. However, the overall risk assessment for the dam is considered moderate (3), with risk management measures not specified in the available data. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and inundation maps readiness are also not clearly outlined, raising concerns about preparedness in case of emergencies.
Given its critical importance in water supply and potential risk factors, Liberty Reservoir Dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and functionality, stakeholders must prioritize regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness to safeguard the surrounding community and water supply 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 Liberty Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Green River Near Mckinney | 0 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near Shopville | 6 cfs | → |
| Dix River Near Danville | 5 cfs | → |
| Russell Creek Near Columbia | 11 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 472 cfs | → |
| Rockcastle River At Billows | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Liberty Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Liberty Street Casey County
- Boone Road Lincoln County
- Russell County
- Taylor County
- Lakeside Drive 1098, Garrard County
- Salt River Park Harrodsburg
Campgrounds
- Fishing Creek - Lake Cumberland
- Wilson Creek Access - Dfwr
- Holmes Bend - Green River Lake
- Smith Ridge - Green River Lake
- Logan-Hubble County Park
- Pikes Ridge - Green River Lake
Paddle runs
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
Track Liberty Reservoir 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 Liberty Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Liberty Reservoir 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 Liberty Reservoir Dam.