Sun Production Dam dam
Sun Production Dam
Sun Production Dam, also known as Sun Production Lake, is a privately owned structure located in Powell, Kentucky. This earth dam, standing at 44 feet tall and spanning 360 feet in length, was designed by Napier Engineering & Surveying Co. The dam holds a storage capacity of 53.5 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.7 acres, with a drainage area of 0.11 square miles. Positioned on the South Fork Red River, this dam is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its low hazard potential, Sun Production Dam presents a moderate risk level, with a risk assessment rating of 3. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has not undergone recent modifications or condition assessments. The last inspection conducted on the dam was in November 2013, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. While the Emergency Action Plan status and risk management measures for the dam remain unspecified, the structure is noted to meet regulatory guidelines and is not operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Sun Production Dam will find it to be a unique private entity contributing to the water infrastructure of Kentucky. With its modest storage capacity and surface area, the dam serves as a reservoir on the South Fork Red River, enhancing water management in the region. While the dam's risk level is moderate, its low hazard potential indicates a level of safety for nearby communities and ecosystems. Continued monitoring and assessment of Sun Production Dam will be essential to ensure its ongoing functionality and safety in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Sun Production Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 387 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 50 cfs | → |
| Red River Near Hazel Green | 10 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 45 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon Creek At Cressmont | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sun Production Dam.
Boat launches
- Natural Bridge Road Powell County
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Boat Ramp Road Wolfe County
- Copperas Creek Canoe Launch
- Water Street Beattyville
- Ky 399 Heidelberg
Campgrounds
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Koomer Ridge Rec Area
- Koomer Ridge Campground
- Tunnel Ridge Road
- Callies
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Boat Launch
Paddle runs
Track Sun Production 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 Sun Production Dam
Where does the data for Sun Production 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 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 Sun Production Dam.