Hollybush Dam dam
Hollybush Dam
Hollybush Dam, located in Bonnyman, Kentucky, is a privately owned structure completed in 1988 by designer BOWSER MORNER. Situated on Troublesome Creek of the North Fork of the Kentucky River, this earth dam stands at a height of 65 feet and stretches 370 feet in length. With a maximum storage capacity of 253 acre-feet and a normal storage of 89 acre-feet, Hollybush Dam serves various purposes beyond flood control, making it a vital water resource in Perry County.
Despite its significance, Hollybush Dam faces challenges in terms of its condition assessment, which was rated as poor during the last inspection in February 2018. Its hazard potential is classified as high, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and the dam's structural integrity. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate risk level, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are currently unspecified, underscoring the need for proactive measures to mitigate potential dangers associated with this essential water infrastructure.
As a key component of the local water management system, Hollybush Dam's condition and risk profile emphasize the critical role it plays in protecting communities and ecosystems in Perry County. With its rich history and ongoing regulatory oversight by the Kentucky Division of Water, efforts to address the dam's maintenance needs and emergency preparedness are essential to safeguarding its continued operation and resilience in the face of changing climate patterns and water resource demands.
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 Hollybush Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Kentucky River At Hazard | 113 cfs | → |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Jackson | 418 cfs | → |
| Cutshin Creek At Wooton | 17 cfs | → |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 80 cfs | → |
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 322 cfs | → |
| Licking River Below Mason Fork Nr Salyersville | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hollybush Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Avenue Hazard
- Marina Lane 231, Perry County
- Carr Creek Dam Road Knott County
- Smithsboro Road Perry County
- Jackson Road Beattyville
- Water Street Beattyville
Campgrounds
- Trace Branch - Buckhorn Lake
- Gays Creek Campground
- Buckhorn Dam Rec Area - Buckhorn Lake
- Carr Creek State Park
- Willie Begley Memorial Rv Park
- Littcarr - Carr Creek Lake
Fishing spots
- Lake Keokee Day Use Area
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
- Bark Camp Recreation Area
Paddle runs
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
- Headwaters To Alternative Route 58
- Confluence Of White Branch With Russell Fork (And 1 Mile Upstream On Pound River) To Railroad Bridge Crossing Above Elkhorn City
- Fs Route 700 To Confluence With Clinch River
- State Route 72 Bridge To Confluence With Clinch River
Track Hollybush 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 Hollybush Dam
Where does the data for Hollybush 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 Hollybush Dam.