Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11 dam
Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11
Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11, located in Madison County, Kentucky, is a state-owned structure managed by the Kentucky Division of Water. Built in 1906, this concrete dam stands at a height of 35 feet and spans 260 feet across the Kentucky River. Its primary purpose is water supply, with a maximum storage capacity of 14,370 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 6,919 acre-feet. The dam is regulated and inspected by the state, with a significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in December 2016.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is situated in the Huntington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. While it does not have associated locks or hydropower facilities, it plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. With a drainage area of 3,219 square miles and a moderate risk rating, Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11 is a key component of the water infrastructure in Kentucky. Its historical significance and ongoing maintenance make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and study.
As one of the oldest dams in the area, Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11 serves as a reminder of the importance of water management in sustaining communities and ecosystems. With its unique design and operational history, this dam offers insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining aging infrastructure in a changing climate. By understanding the role of structures like Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11, enthusiasts can appreciate the complexities of water resource management and the need for sustainable solutions in the face of evolving 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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 11 Near College Hill | 373 cfs | → |
| Red River At Clay City | 75 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | · | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 10 Near Winchester | 532 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 582 cfs | → |
| Slate Creek At Highway 713 Nr Mt. Sterling | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11.
Boat launches
- College Hill Road Madison County
- Main Street Irvine
- 7th Avenue Clay City
- East Lake Avenue Clay City
- Wilgreen Lake Road Madison County
- Radford Hollow Road 145, Madison County
Campgrounds
- Fort Boonesborough State Park
- Callies
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Turkey Foot Campground Free
- Turkey Foot Campground
- Turkey Foot Rec Area
Fishing spots
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Boat Launch
Track Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11 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 11
Where does the data for Kentucky River Lock & Dam 11 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 Significant 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 11.