Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9 dam
Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9
Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9, located in Jessamine, Kentucky, is a vital structure owned and regulated by the state. Completed in 1907, this concrete dam stands at a height of 36 feet and spans 294 feet across the Kentucky River, serving a primary purpose of navigation. With a storage capacity of 16,000 acre-feet, it plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, especially during times of high discharge.
This dam, with a hazard potential classified as high and a fair condition assessment as of 2017, is closely monitored and inspected by the Kentucky Division of Water. Despite its age, Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9 continues to facilitate navigation along the river, supporting local communities and industries. The risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, indicating a balance of potential hazards and operational effectiveness.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9 presents an intriguing case study of a historic infrastructure project that still plays a significant role in water management today. Its blend of functionality, regulatory oversight, and risk management measures make it a noteworthy structure in the Louisville District, contributing to the overall resilience of the region's waterways.
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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 522 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 541 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 463 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 7 At Highbridge | 3,540 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9.
Boat launches
- Tates Creek Road 3302, Madison County
- John Nickell Boat Ramp Jessamine County
- Wilgreen Lake Road Madison County
- Lakeside Drive 1098, Garrard County
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Oregon Landing Road Mercer County
Campgrounds
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Camp On The Kentucky
- Logan-Hubble County Park
- Kentucky Horse Park Campgrounds
- Kentucky Horse Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9 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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9
Where does the data for Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9 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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 9.