Winchester Dam dam
Winchester Dam
Winchester Dam, also known as Rollcrete Dam, is a significant water resource infrastructure located in Clark County, Kentucky. Completed in 1985, the dam stands at an impressive height of 70 feet and stretches over a length of 1100 feet. Its primary purpose is to provide water supply, with a storage capacity of 2900 acre-feet and a surface area of 90 acres.
The dam is constructed using Roller-Compacted Concrete technology and is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water. With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2016, Winchester Dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of Lower Howard Creek. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating, the dam meets regulatory guidelines and serves as a vital component of the local water supply infrastructure.
Owned by the local government, Winchester Dam is designed by Palmer Engineering Company and Winchester, Parrott, Ely and Hurt Engineers from Lexington. With its uncontrolled spillway type and proximity to NO TOWN, the dam serves as a key piece of water resource management in the region, under the jurisdiction of the state of Kentucky.
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 Winchester Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 541 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryant Rd Nr Cadentown | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Winchester Rd Nr Lexington | 17 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 461 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose | 27 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 522 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winchester Dam.
Boat launches
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Tates Creek Road 3302, Madison County
- 7th Avenue Clay City
- East Lake Avenue Clay City
- Wilgreen Lake Road Madison County
- John Nickell Boat Ramp Jessamine County
Campgrounds
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Kentucky Horse Park Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campground
- Callies
- Camp On The Kentucky
Fishing spots
- Boat Launch
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
Paddle runs
Track Winchester 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 Winchester Dam
Where does the data for Winchester 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 Winchester Dam.