Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam dam
Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam
The Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam, located in Clark County, Kentucky, was completed in 1991 with a primary purpose of debris control along Strodes Creek. Designed by Donald L. Sexton, P.E., the earth dam stands at a height of 66 feet and spans 2000 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1000 acre-feet. Despite its critical function, the dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a low hazard potential but a moderate risk rating.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water, this dam plays a crucial role in safeguarding the surrounding area from potential debris and overflow risks. The inspection frequency of the dam is set at 5 years, with the last assessment conducted in February 2004. While it may have a low hazard potential, the poor condition of the dam warrants attention and potential maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in managing water resources and climate impacts.
Given its importance in mitigating debris and protecting against overflow events, enthusiasts of water resources and climate management should keep an eye on the Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam's condition and any potential risk management measures that may be implemented in the future. The dam's location and design make it a key structure for maintaining the safety and functionality of the surrounding area, emphasizing the need for proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued efficacy 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 Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 462 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryant Rd Nr Cadentown | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Winchester Rd Nr Lexington | 0 cfs | → |
| N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose | 0 cfs | → |
| Hinkston Creek Near Carlisle | 3 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 428 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam.
Boat launches
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Tates Creek Road 3302, Madison County
- 7th Avenue Clay City
- East Lake Avenue Clay City
- Paris Pike Georgetown
- 4 H Street Nicholas County
Campgrounds
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 North Effluent Retention 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 North Effluent Retention Dam
Where does the data for Winchester North Effluent Retention 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 Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam.